Texas Lutheran University is proud of its long history and of the traditions we’ve created through the years. As part of the Bulldog family, we hope you’ll come to love them as much as we do!
Texas Lutheran University was founded in Brenham, Texas in 1891 and moved to Seguin in 1912.
The school was named Texas Lutheran College and in 1996, the name was changed to Texas Lutheran University. More than 30 major buildings and athletic fields are located on the 184-acre Seguin campus.
TLU is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Written in 1958 by Marlene Kriewald Bonds ’57 (Edited when TLC became TLU)
O stately college of the plain,
The memories we’ve gathered here
Of chiming bell and chapel spire
Will live through each advancing year.
Beloved TLU, to thee
We pledge our love and loyalty.
Hail to our Alma Mater fair!
The truth of Christ shall make us free.
O hallowed halls of memory,
The treasure stored within our heart,
The friendship of our student days,
Shall all endure though we may part.
Thus we, beloved TLU,
Our voices raise in praise to thee.
Hail to our Alma Mater fair!
The truth of Christ shall make us free.
In 1926, TLU’s first junior college coach, John M. (Jack) Doerfler said he wanted our athletes to be strong and tenacious, and so he named them the Bulldogs.
From 1926 to 1929, our football teams won 23 games, lost six, and tied one. Early on, the women’s teams were known as the Amazons, the Bullets (or Bullettes), and then joined the male teams as the Bulldogs.
TLU’s mascot is named Lucky and is most often seen on uniforms and decor for athletic teams. Although TLU does not have an official live mascot, Louie the Bulldog served as TLU’s unofficial mascot for many years. After passing away in 2019, Louie’s owner introduced the campus to Talulah, our new unofficial Bulldog mascot.
We’re going to fight for TLU
Go Bulldogs on to victory!
We’re going to show our pride and fight
For glory and for might!
The Black and Gold we see today!
We’re going to shout and sing and say:
Hurrah!! For TLU!
Go Bulldogs on to victory!
TLU was founded in Brenham 1891 and moved to Seguin in 1912. The bell from the campus tower in Brenham was the only piece brought to the newly located TLU and has remained here for more than 100 years.
The bell is now rung after athletic victories and other special occasions, including graduation.
Dedicated in 1954, the Chapel of the Abiding Presence is a TLU icon. Services are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings during the school year.
While attendance isn’t required, many faculty, staff, and students choose to worship with their community. In 1969, a fire burned the inside of the chapel, requiring it be refinished and the pews removed.
The chapel now features moveable seating, which can be rearranged for special services and events.
TLU’s Official Class Ring was unveiled during Homecoming 2009. The ring represents everything TLU, from academics and athletics to history, spirit, and tradition. Rings are distributed once a year at the annual Ring Ceremony in the spring.
This historic building was part of the Fritz Homestead in the late 1800s. The Fritzes donated 15 acres of their homestead to TLU in 1912 when the university relocated from Brenham to Seguin. On April 5, 2001, the home was literally rolled 400 feet to its current location and restoration began.
Restoration was completed in 2005. The Fritz House is a beautiful facility for the university and a true historical marker of TLU’s history in Seguin, as well as a representation of rural life in south Texas during the 19 th century.
Held every fall, TLU Homecoming is sponsored by the Development and Alumni Relations Office.
It’s a weekend full of activities for alumni, students, parents, and friends of the university, allowing them to come together and celebrate all things TLU, including tailgating, football, a golf tournament, class reunions, athletic honors, alumni games, and much more.
The Gold Rush tradition was started in 2008 by the Student Government Association to promote school spirit at athletic events. The idea is to fill the stands with a sea of gold. At designated Gold Rush games, fans are encouraged to wear gold and show their Bulldog pride.
Standing in front of the O.G. Beck Center is the abstract statue of Martin Luther—the great reformer of the 16th century, after whom the Lutheran Church is named. The 13-foot statue was designed and created by Elmer Petersen, former chair of the TLU art department.
It is a gift to TLU from the family and friends of Adolph C. Streng, Sr., and is dedicated to the memory of Streng, who was a professor, administrator, and pastor at Texas Lutheran College from 1929–1973.
The TLU flame is part of the official branding and logo for the university. It is a free-flowing mark, without beginning or end, denoting education and an ongoing life of service and leadership.
The areas of the flame symbolize TLU’s academic, social, and spiritual approach to education.
The TLU seal represents the centrality of the Lutheran tradition in the academic and spiritual life of the university. The “Luther Rose” occupies the center of the seal. The cross, heart, and petals of the rose symbolize the innocent death of Christ.
The five points of the “Lone Star” represent the university’s Texas location. The Latin motto appears between the star’s points and translated, means “The truth of Christ frees humankind.”
In 1912, the college made the move from Brenham to Seguin, marking a turning point for the modest college and the city. Over a century later, the university is going strong and is proud to be part of the thriving community of Seguin.
Started in 1940, Vespers is an annual Christmas celebration of music and word performed by the TLU Choir, TLU Women’s Choir, Kantorei Chamber Choir, and the Symphonic Winds and Percussion.
Music has been an integral part of the curriculum at TLU throughout its history. Christmas Vespers attracts thousands of people from across the state of Texas.
Since 2008, Day of The Dogs and HOT (Helping Others Together) Dogs Day have been annual service projects in the fall and spring. These events are a time for TLU faculty, staff, and students to give back to the Seguin community as a way of saying “thank you.”
This event is the largest celebration on campus hosted by the Campus Activities Board. It is a long-standing tradition that takes place the third Saturday before spring graduation.
Spring Fling is an outdoor event with music and games that draws participaton from different student organizations and includes special recognition of outstanding members of our TLU community.