Name History
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 undergraduate and post-graduate degrees 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 Texas State University
- 2003: Texas State University-San Marcos
- 2013: Texas State University
![TXST light pole banners](https://docs.gato.txst.edu/158068/w/2000/LP2ULVuEvNp7/p22-027-4387.jpg)
TXST light pole banners in 2022.
![""](https://docs.gato.txst.edu/158088/w/2000/TarnlfANy9v6/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-22%20at%203.24.55%20PM.png)
1910 jerseys for the Southwest Texas Normal School baseball team.
![South West Teacher's College track team, 1929](https://docs.gato.txst.edu/158090/w/2000/BMoKGT5vC-WS/Untitled%20design.png)
1929 track team jersey reading "San Marcos Teachers."
![""](https://docs.gato.txst.edu/158087/w/2000/STKjrhnC-7Xe/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-22%20at%203.05.21%20PM.png)
Southwest Texas State Normal School baseball players sporting their "Normal" jerseys, 1908.
![SWT acronym logo for Southwest Texas State University](https://docs.gato.txst.edu/657305/w/2000/9E75tp1d8uLM/SWT%20logo.jpg)
Southwest Texas State's abbreviation, SWT, is most commonly used as a throwback logo.
![SWT track runner uniform](https://docs.gato.txst.edu/158067/w/2000/IisR1psalBlN/1968-7.jpg)
Track runner with the Southwest Texas jersey, 1968.
![Image of logo: Texas State University - San Marcos 'The Rising Star of Texas'](https://docs.gato.txst.edu/667846/w/2000/Gvwu118shu9C/name-TXST-SM.jpg)
In 2003, the Legislature dropped the regional SW designation and the institution became Texas State University-San Marcos. In 2013 the place portion of the name was eliminated.
![Launching new name in 1990](https://docs.gato.txst.edu/158066/w/2000/L9l7pJdjw2cT/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-21%20at%209.50.07%20AM.png)
ROTC raising the new flag for TXST branding in 2003.
![TXST holiday ornament from 2011 with the Texas State University - San Marcos name](https://docs.gato.txst.edu/327754/w/2000/aWSrxgTm9C8k/2011.jpg)
2011 commemorative ornament featuring the Texas State University - San Marcos name.
![TXST acronym logo](https://docs.gato.txst.edu/42846/w/2000/Rer9Hl-iXyFS/txst-primary-logo-overview.jpg)
Widespread use of Texas State's official abbreviation, TXST, spurred the creation of an alternative logo design in 2017.