Temple College Names Annual Fall Festival for Longtime Student Life Director Ruth Bridges
This year’s Fall Fest is 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 on the Temple College Campus
Temple College is honoring the legacy of Ruth Bridges, who served Temple College students for more than 40 years, by naming its annual fall festival the Temple College Ruth Bridges Fall Festival.
This year’s festival is scheduled for 2-5 p.m. Oct. 26 on the Temple College campus, 2600 S. First Street.
Bridges, known as “Miss Ruth” to thousands of students, faculty and staff, served as an admissions clerk, records coordinator and associate director of admissions before taking on the role that defined her time at Temple College. In September 2006, she accepted the position of Director of Student Life and Community Outreach.
Bridges passed away on May 16 while still serving in the role.
“As Director of Student Life, among her many responsibilities, Miss Ruth was the point person for all student organizations and hosted dozens of student activities each year, including the annual Fall Festival, which drew more than a thousand community members to campus last year,” said Shannon Bralley, Associate Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management. “Fall Festival was a testament to the love Miss Ruth had for the Temple College students and community, and it’s fitting that this annual event and cherished tradition be renamed in her honor.”
This year’s festival will be located on the plaza in front of the Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center (PAC) in the center of campus. Parking is available in the north parking lot, which is located south of W. Avenue U between S. 1st Street and South 5th Street.
After visitors park in the north lot, they will be invited to walk across the bridge and enter campus via the Trick-or-Treat Trail, where they’ll receive candy and prizes, and proceed to the main festival area in front of the PAC. Bags for candy will be provided.
In addition to candy, the festival will feature food, games, bounce house, costume contests and more.
At 2 p.m., Temple College’s Division of Fine Arts will present the children’s play “The Tragical, Comical, Historical Adventures of Pinocchio” in the PAC.
“This is a wonderful annual community event for families and neighbors of all ages,” said Eric Eckert, Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Outreach. “Our goal is simple: We’re inviting the community to campus to have fun.”
Temple College has arranged for a number of games and activities. Student clubs have been invited to sponsor various activities and may charge a nominal fee as a fundraiser for their respective organizations.
About Temple College
Temple College is “Your Community’s College,” a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of Central Texas students with the knowledge and skills for 21st-century success. Temple College, which has campuses in Temple, Hutto, Taylor and Rockdale, offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.
Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence for 98 years. It is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs, from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics. The College has become one of the state’s premiere institutions for healthcare providers’ education and training, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.