Authorized by the Texas legislature in 1899, Southwest Texas State Normal School opened its doors in 1903. Over the years, we've broadened our scope and changed our name a few times as well. 

Each name reflects our growth from a small teaching institution to a major, multipurpose university. Through our nine academic colleges, Texas State offers more than 200 and to serve the needs of future generations of Texans.

  • 1899: Southwest Texas State Normal School was authorized by the Texas Legislature
  • 1918: Southwest Texas State Normal College 
  • 1923: Southwest Texas State Teachers College 
  • 1959: Southwest Texas State College 
  • 1969: Southwest ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 
  • 2003: ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½-San Marcos 
  • 2013: ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 
vintage black and white photo from 1910 of baseball players posing in uniforms

1910 jerseys for the Southwest Texas Normal School baseball team.

South West Teacher's College track team, 1929

1929 track team jersey reading "San Marcos Teachers."

vintage black and white photo from 1908 of baseball players wearing jerseys that read "normal"

Southwest Texas State Normal School baseball players sporting their "Normal" jerseys, 1908.

SWT acronym logo for Southwest ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½

Southwest Texas State's abbreviation, SWT, is most commonly used as a throwback logo.

black and white photo of a track runner finishing a race while wearing a uniform that reads "Southwest Texas"

Track runner with the Southwest Texas jersey, 1968.

Image of logo: ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ - San Marcos 'The Rising Star of Texas'

In 2003, the Legislature dropped the regional SW designation and the institution became ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½-San Marcos. In 2013 the place portion of the name was eliminated.

three men are raising a flag that reads "TEXAS STATE" onto a flag pole

ROTC raising the new flag for ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ branding in 2003.

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ holiday ornament from 2011 with the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ - San Marcos name

2011 commemorative ornament featuring the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ - San Marcos name.

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ acronym logo

Widespread use of Texas State's official abbreviation, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½, spurred the creation of an alternative logo design in 2017.