Tyler Junior College (TJC) will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a week-long Homecoming, themed “Soaring Through the Decades,” from October 19-24. The centennial festivities will include a mix of time-honored traditions and new ceremonies, culminating in a football game at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.
Beginning Monday, October 19, the campus will resonate with “the drumbeat,” a treasured TJC Homecoming tradition. Students, faculty, and staff will volunteer to keep a drum beating around the clock for a full week, a rhythmic event intended to bring good luck before the Saturday football game. The “Soaring Through the Decades” theme, inspired by TJC’s mascot Harry the Hawk, reflects a century of achievements since the College’s founding in 1926 and highlights ten decades of milestones that have shaped TJC.
Thursday, October 22, will feature a series of public events for alumni, students, and community members. The day’s schedule includes the homecoming parade, a pep rally, and a block party, which will be immediately followed by a fireworks show. Other festivities throughout the week include a Homecoming Kickoff, spirit wall painting, the Campus Capers talent show, and a dance.
A new tradition will debut on Friday, October 23, as TJC hosts its inaugural Ringing Ceremony. This event is designed to allow students and alumni to receive their class rings and celebrate their ongoing ties to the College. Information regarding participation in the ceremony and details about special Centennial Alumni Association membership opportunities are available on the TJC website.
The week’s events will conclude on Saturday, October 24, with a tailgate gathering for alumni before the TJC Apaches football team plays. The Apaches will face New Mexico Military Institute at 1 p.m. at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium in Tyler.
Miranda Sewell, TJC Alumni Director, stated that this year’s Homecoming “carries great significance as we celebrate our Centennial.” She extended an invitation to “alumni and community members from every decade to return to campus, reconnect with fellow Apaches, and help us celebrate the memories of the past 100 years.”
Tyler Junior College, a comprehensive public community college in East Texas, was founded in 1926. Over the past century, it has grown to serve almost 20,000 students annually, with more than 16,000 enrolled in credit programs and nearly 4,000 in continuing studies. The college offers a wide range of educational pathways, encompassing over 135 programs of study in areas such as arts, sciences, health professions, business, technology, and trades, serving both traditional students and adult learners.
The college’s 145-acre central campus and multiple sites feature rigorous academics, a history of 70 national athletic championships, and acclaimed fine and performing arts programs. TJC also provides modern residential facilities, along with various organizations and clubs designed to promote student engagement and diversity.
For a complete schedule of events, parade information, and Homecoming updates, individuals can visit TJC.edu/Homecoming. Details about the Ringing Ceremony and alumni association membership opportunities can be found at TJC.edu/Alumni.
