The UT Tower will turn orange Wednesday, August 24 to welcome new students to the Forty Acres. And as a special welcome to the Class of 2026, the Tower will display “26” on its side.

The Tower will switch to the special lighting configuration during Gone to Texas as the Class of 2026 gathers for the first time. Held each year at the start of the fall semester, Gone to Texas kicks off the academic year with a brilliant display of the university’s spirit and traditions and shows new students firsthand what it means to be a Longhorn.

The next time the Tower will shine in this same lighting configuration — burnt orange lights with “26” shown on its side — the Class of 2026 will be celebrating Commencement.