175 years of Southwestern University

Image 1 of 7

Southwestern University will celebrate 175 years of educating in Texas on Saturday, Oct. 17 as part of the homecoming and reunion weekend festivities on campus. Starting at 8 p.m. on the Roy H. Cullen Academic Mall and Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, visitors and guests will enjoy games, food trucks and prize giveaways. Musician Walter Lukens, a 2009 graduate of Southwestern University, will perform live as part of the celebration.

"We are excited to welcome our alumni, current students, and the community to our campus to celebrate our deep Texas roots," Southwestern University President Edward Burger said. "For 175 years, Southwestern University has been engaging minds and transforming the lives of many of the best and brightest students from Texas and beyond."

Southwestern University was the first institution of its kind in Texas when it was established on Feb. 5, 1840, by charter of Republic of Texas president Mirabeau B. Lamar. Based on multiple historical accounts, Southwestern University hosted the first recorded college homecoming in Texas on April 21, 1909, in Georgetown.

Among the other scheduled anniversary events are a homecoming parade in downtown Georgetown, a 5K fun run/walk and tours of the historic campus. Vistors will also have the opportunity to take photos for a book that will be buried in the 175th anniversary time capsule.

For more information and a complete schedule of anniversary events, visit http://www.southwestern.edu/gateways/alumni/homecoming/.