Alumni Island features the statue of our founding father, John Tarleton and his pet duck Oscar P. This statue is 10 feet tall and is a symbol of history, tradition, and far-reaching vision.
The island located between the women's residence halls and the original dining hall was a popular place to gather and watch friends cruise by before the Washington Street entrance to Tarleton was closed and the Administration building was constructed. Students regularly used the area to meet and socialize between classes and after eating at the dining hall. After the latest improvements and additions were completed in 2015, Alumni Island has experienced a surge in activity.
The story goes that while cement was being poured in the triangular shaped area, a group of students placed newly minted pennies at each of the points. The 1974 pennies that are currently located at the triangle are not original to the site, but their date does match that first investment.