FROM TARLETON STATE PRESIDENT
DR. JAMES HURLEY
Dear John Tarleton Society Members,
Over 125 years ago, our founder, John Tarleton, left his life’s fortune to establish this special place we call Tarleton State University. His legacy gift has transformed generations of past, present, and future Tarleton State Texans.
Today, Tarleton State is the fastest rising university in the State of Texas, with nearly 140 academic degree pathways, innovative research and economic development initiatives, and an expanding national footprint.
This incredible success started with the generosity of a true visionary who realized the power of education by embracing the drive and determination synonymous with our great state. He understood the value of access, opportunity and affordability for all students.
It is only fitting that we pay honor to our extraordinary founder with an exclusive giving society in his name. The John Tarleton Society stands as a tribute to John Tarleton’s foresight while welcoming and honoring those who personify his selfless generosity. Through this unique and important society, we forever link our founding gift with the vision and leadership that supporters like you continue to exemplify today.
May you forever Bleed Purple!
Dr. James Hurley President
JOHN TARLETON SOCIETY
The John Tarleton Society is Tarleton State University’s premier philanthropic community, honoring transformational generosity and lifechanging impact. Its members are devoted stakeholders who support the university’s service-driven mission and future growth.
Re-established in August of 2025, the John Tarleton Society pays tribute to Tarleton State’s visionary founder and his legacy of leadership.
John Tarleton’s vision and commitment to the value of higher education is the cornerstone upon which the fastest growing university in the state of Texas stands on today. No university is rising faster, with momentum building on the strength of growing philanthropic support and the rising role of private resources relative to access, affordability, and institutional excellence.
The John Tarleton Society is grounded in gratitude, honoring Tarleton State University’s most generous supporters through meaningful, consistent, and creative expressions of appreciation. Thoughtful stewardship ensures their leadership is celebrated and their impact remains central to the university’s continued progress.
JOHN TARLETON SOCIETY: PRINCIPLES
The John Tarleton Society is Tarleton State’s premier giving society structured to provide unprecedented stewardship and engagement to Tarleton State’s major-gift benefactors.
Specifically, membership in the John Tarleton Society is reserved for Tarleton State donors who have verifiably donated $25,000 or more in their lifetime to Tarleton State University.
Members are honored and recognized via select John Tarleton Society membership levels, with those most generous stewarded at the highest level of the Society.
Each level contains unique benefits with the level of stewardship reflective of the member’s generosity. Benefits are carefully designed to maximize appreciation while incentivizing donors to consider additional generosity to increase their important impact on Tarleton State.
JOHN TARLETON SOCIETY: CORE VALUES
CORE VALUES
EXCELLENCE
Tarleton Texans pursue greatness in all efforts, promoting a spirit of leadership, adaptability, and innovation for exceptional outcomes and a better world.
INTEGRITY
Tarleton Texans hold to the highest ethical standards and commit to serving others through transparency and accountability in everything we do.
RESPECT
Tarleton Texans create a thriving community by embracing varied perspectives with civility, honoring tradition, and promoting collaboration so everyone thrives.
The John Tarleton Society reflects the very essence of Tarleton State University’s core values—excellence, integrity and respect. Just as Tarleton State Texans strive for exceptional outcomes, uphold the highest ethical standards and foster a thriving community, members of the John Tarleton Society embody these ideals through their unwavering support and lasting impact.
• EXCELLENCE: Those who comprise the John Tarleton Society share a common commitment to private support as the margin of excellence for the university. The university continues to benefit from strong financial backing from the State of Texas. To elevate Tarleton State to national preeminence, however, private resources are essential. John Tarleton Society members recognize this opportunity and leverage their resources to advance unprecedented achievement.
• INTEGRITY: John Tarleton Society members exemplify integrity and represent the exceptional attributes found in all Tarleton State Texans. Their actions are motivated by a desire to make a difference, and their impact pays tribute to their unwavering investment in the advance of Tarleton State and the lifelong success of deserving students.
• RESPECT: John Tarleton Society members are individuals of character who uphold a commitment to excellence through action. They lead by example and model the way as leaders, visionaries, and ambassadors for our great university.
JOHN TARLETON SOCIETY: BENEFITS
Dedicated to providing a level of unmatched appreciation to Tarleton State’s most generous donors, the John Tarleton Society features an exclusive, personalized stewardship platform.
Gratitude is expressed consistently and comes in compelling forms to include exclusive events, leadership-level engagement, and high-level recognition that elevates support from John Tarleton Society members as essential to the mission of Tarleton State.
• Executive engagement with Tarleton State leadership and the opportunity to personally interact with those who shape Tarleton State’s exciting vision and trajectory.
• John Tarleton Society-exclusive experiences such as invitations to premier events and networking opportunities with fellow John Tarleton Society members.
• High visibility recognition that elevates essential investors in Tarleton State’s emergence as one of the elite comprehensive institutions in the nation.
• Tailored, personalized engagement with Tarleton State students benefitting from scholarships provided by John Tarleton Society members, at select John Tarleton Society events.
• Commemorative items that tangibly reflect the significance of the John Tarleton Society and the impact that members have on the university, its exceptional students and faculty, and the continued rise of Tarleton State as Texas’ fastest growing university.
JOHN TARLETON SOCIETY: MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA:
1. Lifetime, cumulative and properly documented philanthropic giving to Tarleton State University totaling $25,000 or more.
• Predicated on both outright cash contributions and pledges.
• Gifts to Texan Athletics to include Texan Club contributions.
• Signed, properly documented estate gifts / planned gifts.
• Gifts in the form of grants from private foundations that meet IRS criteria to qualify as charitable contributions.
• Qualified sponsorships funded by corporate sponsors or outright gifts from companies to Tarleton State University.
JOHN TARLETON SOCIETY: STEWARDSHIP
John Tarleton Society members are stewarded as stakeholders in carefully crafted membership levels dedicated to delivering appreciation and engagement aligned with their invaluable generosity.
Opportunities expand as members grow their giving, with the Society’s most distinctive honors and experiences benefitting those who have been most gracious and impactful.
The John Tarleton Society honors generous donors to Tarleton State with a documented record of cumulative giving totaling $25,000 or more lifetime.
Note that eligibility accounts for both outright cash and pledges. Specifically, a donor who verifies a commitment of $25,000 or more with a signed pledge is instantly eligible for John Tarleton Society membership.
* As a symbol of distinguished commitment, the official purple tartan jacket is reserved exclusively for members of the John Tarleton Society at the Stakeholders level and above. Items shown are for example purposes only and may not reflect final design.
JOHN TARLETON SOCIETY BENEFITS CHART
INDUCTION INTO JOHN TARLETON SOCIETY HALL OF HONOR
EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE PRESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE
JOHN TARLETON SOCIETY PURPLE TARTAN JACKET
STAKEHOLDER LUNCHEON INVITATION (TARLETON STATE EXECUTIVE DINING ROOM)
TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY
PRESIDENTIAL GALA INVITATION
INVITATION TO JOHN TARLETON SOCIETY HALL OF HONOR DINNER
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE INVITE: BASKETBALL OR FOOTBALL (ONCE PER YEAR)
CUSTOMIZED CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT EXPERIENCE (ATHLETICS, RODEO, ARTS)
JOHN TARLETON SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE:
• ANNUAL INDUCTION EVENT
• COMMEMORATIVE PIN & CERTIFICATE
• MASTERWORKS/HOLIDAY EVENT
• JOHN TARLETON SOCIETY EVENTS
• WALL OF HONOR LISTING
• JTS WEBSITE LISTING
