History & Traditions

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

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 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 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 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 also 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 once part of the Fritz Homestead in the late 1800s. The Fritzes donated 15 acres of their homestead to TLU in 1912 when it relocated from Brenham to Seguin. On April 5, 2001 the home was literally rolled 400 feet to its current location and restoration began.

The home 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, Alumni & Family Weekend is sponsored by the Alumni Office and the Office of First-Year & Campus Programs.

It's a weekend full of activities for alumni, students, parents, and friends of the university to come together and celebrate the all things TLU like tailgating, football, our traditional bonfire, golf tournament, class reunions, alumni games, and much more.

Additional family events include a Q&A session with TLU administrators, workshops, and a Family Weekend Breakfast with the TLU President.

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” represents the university’s Texas location. The Latin motto appears between the star’s points and translates into “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. One century later, the university is going strong and part of the 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 Dogs 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 and a way of saying “thank you.”

This event is the largest celebration on campus hosted by the Student Government Association. It has been a longstanding tradition that takes place the third Saturday before spring graduation.

This is an outdoor event with music and games hosted by student organizations and special recognition of outstanding members of our TLU community.