What Starts Here Changes the World

— As Spring 2017 Commencement is just around the corner, the UT Tower is a constant reminder of the impact this university does have on the education it provides. The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks number fifty-six in national universities in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges in the U.S. News & World Report. As one of the largest universities in the U.S,, UT Austin has an enrollment figure of over 50,000 students. Originally built as a library, the UT Tower today houses several administrative offices. Its height is 307 feet — just a foot short of the height of the State Capitol. The tower is frequently lit in different colors to symbolize and honor a variety of events. For example, a complete orange-lit tower indicates a national championship, commencement and other student and faculty achievements. If the windows in the tower display a number 1 with the tower fully orange, it means a National Championship. A darkened tower with a white cap and observation deck symbolizes an annual memorial service (UT Remembers) and other solemn occasions. If the tower is lit white with an orange cap, it indicates a football regular season victory. Tower tours are possible, and visitors can enjoy a 360-degree view of campus and Austin.