8K UT-Austin Students To Descend For 'Gone To Texas' Event

AUSTIN, TX — The University of Texas at Austin will welcome some 8,000 new first-year students, as well as transfer, graduate and law students at Gone To Texas event scheduled Tuesday night.

The event is designed as a celebration introducing new Longhorns to university life and culture. It's set for Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Main Mall on the south side of the UT Tower.

Gone to Texas is traditionally held the evening before the first day of fall semester classes, bringing the newest members of the Longhorn community together as a group for the first time, university officials explained in a press advisory.

The event features live performances, the official welcome from President Gregory L. Fenves, guest speakers and presentations, and a finale by the Longhorn Band. The UT Tower will be lighted burnt orange to celebrate the arrival of the newest members of Longhorn Nation.

Gone to Texas is one of a series of signature events during Longhorn Welcome, school officials added. The series kicked off with Mooov-In and continues through the first two weeks of classes.
Gone to Texas is a nod to Texas history when adventurers headed to Texas seeking a fresh start, officials added in the way of historical context. As these pioneer-minded individuals left their homesteads, they etched “GTT” on their doorways, revealing that Texas was their destination.