The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Traditions: UT Tower
The 27-story Main Building -- the UT Tower -- is bathed in orange-colored lights to stand as a beacon to the Longhorns' success.
UT Tower tours: Information and reservations
For the one image that expertly depicts The University of Texas -- and its purpose -- look to the center of campus, to the top of what was once known as College Hill. Standing 30 floors tall, erected out of limestone, the Tower distinguishes The University of Texas as its beacon of discovery and billboard of excellence.
The 307-foot tall Tower was completed in 1937 and commands the highest point of campus. Designed by Paul Cret, a French-born architect then living in Philadelphia, the Main Building was created to house the University’s central library. Library patrons requested books at the front desk, and orders s were forwarded upstairs to a Tower librarian, who often wore roller skates to navigate the rows of bookshelves. Once found, books were sent downstairs for check-out. As both enrollment and the library’s holdings grew, the waiting time for a book extended to more than half an hour, and other libraries were eventually constructed.
Now used mostly for administrative purposes, including office space for the UT president, the Tower retains its special legacy.
Usually bathed in white light, the Tower glows orange on special occasions.
Carl J. Eckhardt Jr. never won a Nobel Prize for his work with light, but he started some great University of Texas at Austin traditions. With two UT engineering degrees and a faculty post, Eckhardt became head of the Physical Plant in 1931 and supervised construction of the campus' new landmark. Eckhardt devised a lighting system to take advantage of its commanding architecture to announce university achievements.
Eckhardt's orange lights first flooded the tower in 1937, and 10 years later, he helped articulate orange-lighting guidelines. A number "1" on all sides highlighted by orange lights signals that the university won a national championship. The full Tower glowing orange alone represents a victory over Texas A&M, Commencement and other occasions the president deems appropriate. The Tower top bathed in orange symbolizes other victories or a conference title in any intercollegiate sport.
On Feb. 2, 2001, President Larry R. Faulkner appointed a committee to recommend a revised set of Tower lighting guidelines.
TOWER ENTIRELY WHITE
- Standard lighting configuration
TOWER ENTIRELY ORANGE
- Faculty academic achievements (Academic Convocation)
- Student academic achievements (Honors Day)
- Staff achievements (Staff Recognition Day)
- Academic team achievements with #1 displayed
- UT’s birthday: Sept. 15
- Commencement
- Texas Independence Day: March 2
- Football victory against Texas A&M University
- Big 12 Conference championship (all sports)
- Student organization sports club national championships
- Other events at the President's discretion
TOWER WITH ORANGE TOP AND WHITE SHAFT
- Football regular season victories, except Texas A&M
- Football bowl game victories other than national championship
- Other events at the President's discretion
TOWER ENTIRELY ORANGE WITH #1 DISPLAYED
- National championships
- Other events at the President's discretion
DARKENED TOWER WITH WHITE CAP AND OBSERVATION DECK
(All other levels dark, including windows)
- UT Remembers (annual memorial service)
- Tower Garden dedication
- Significant solemn occasions, e.g. Texas A&M bonfire tragedy
- Other occasions at the President's discretion
TOWER WITH SPECIAL EFFECTS (FIREWORKS; NUMBERING)
- Commencement
- Other occasions at the President's discretion