Tower Lighting Celebrates University Milestones and Achievements

The iconic Tower at the University of Texas at Austin stands as a symbol of pride and resilience for the Longhorn community. This 307-foot monument of stone and steel serves not only as an architectural landmark but also as the vibrant heart of campus life. Through an array of lights and colors, the Tower commemorates academic and athletic victories, major milestones, and solemn occasions. Whether it glows in burnt orange to celebrate a football win or illuminates during graduation ceremonies, its radiance resonates with generations of Longhorns. As the university recently concluded its 142nd birthday week, we take a look at ten of the Tower’s most memorable light displays.

Historic Lightings of the Tower

The tradition of lighting the Tower began on October 19, 1937, when it was illuminated for the first time. The display featured an ombre effect, transitioning from bright orange at the base to white at the top. The Daily Texan described it as “majestic splendor,” while the Austin American-Statesman noted that the lights were visible from as far as Round Rock, Manor, and San Marcos.

On November 22, 1962, the Tower’s windows were used to spell out “UT” for the first time. This display celebrated the Longhorn football team’s remarkable achievement of a perfect season, culminating in a Thanksgiving Day victory over Texas A&M.

In May 1995, under the direction of President Robert Berdahl, spring commencement was reimagined to include fireworks and a display of the graduation year in the Tower’s windows. This innovation transformed graduation into a highly anticipated event, with attendance growing from 20,000 to over 50,000 since its relocation to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Another significant moment occurred on December 12, 1998, when the Tower displayed the jersey number 34 in honor of running back Ricky Williams, who won the prestigious Heisman Trophy that year. Williams became the second Heisman winner from UT, following Earl Campbell in 1977.

The Tower celebrated a historic achievement once again on January 5, 2006, when it illuminated a “1” to mark the Longhorns’ National College Football Championship. Led by quarterback Vince Young, the team’s victory over USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl remains one of the greatest in college football history. This tradition of displaying a “1” in the Tower windows dates back to 1964, when the Longhorns won their first national championship.

Innovative Displays and Celebrations

In August 2011, the Tower became a canvas for creative expression as it showcased video projections resembling rotating Rubik’s Cube blocks, featuring notable UT alumni such as Walter Cronkite and Michael Dell. This unique display was part of an institutional commercial broadcast during sporting events.

The Tower was lit in orange with a “75” on February 27, 2012, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its construction. This marked a rare occasion, as it was the first time the Tower was illuminated in honor of itself.

On October 26, 2019, the Tower recognized Professor John B. Goodenough for his Nobel Prize in Chemistry, displaying “LI+,” the scientific symbol for lithium ion, in tribute to his groundbreaking work on lithium-ion batteries. To date, eight members of the Longhorn community have received Nobel Prizes, including faculty members such as Hermann Muller and Steven Weinberg, as well as alumni like E. Donnall Thomas and J.M. Coetzee.

Most recently, on November 3, 2022, the School of Design and Creative Technologies utilized projection mapping to transform the Tower into an interactive video game screen. This innovative approach incorporated the Tower’s unique architectural features into the gaming experience, creating the illusion that characters were navigating the structure itself.

These moments, among many others, highlight the Tower’s role as a central figure in celebrating the University of Texas at Austin’s rich history and vibrant community. As it continues to shine brightly, the Tower remains a powerful symbol of achievement, unity, and the enduring spirit of Longhorns everywhere.