Texas Woman’s University (TWU) will celebrate the successful conclusion of Dream Big, its historic first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, with a week of public festivities in Denton, Dallas and Houston. Launched in celebration of TWU’s 125th anniversary, by year’s end the campaign will significantly surpass its original goal of $125 million, raising $191 million to date to expand student opportunity, fuel academic and research innovation, and support the university’s continued growth.

Festival highlights include TWU history exhibits, two original stage productions, interactive mural and video projects, a history-flavored cooking demonstration, a Paup Lecture on women’s sports and a special gymnastics exhibition, among a host of other activities.  The festival will also include a groundbreaking celebration for the upcoming athletic complex named in honor of TWU alumna Dr. Dawn S. Chaney, as well as the unveiling of a new campus art installation inspired by the supporters of the Dream Big campaign. Most events are free.

WHEN/WHERE

OCT. 19-24, 2026
Texas Woman’s University (Denton, Dallas and Houston)

Full schedule: https://events.twu.edu/event/dream-big-festival

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Make your mark on TWU:

OCT. 19: Community Mural (Student Union at Hubbard Hall - South Stairwell, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)
Help paint a community mural designed by TWU students.

OCT. 22-23: 125th Celebration Photo Wall (Student Union at Hubbard Hall,  6-8 pm on Oct. 22;  4-6 p.m. on Oct. 23)
Add a printed photo of a favorite TWU memory to an interactive logo wall and participate in a special anniversary video montage.

TWU history up close (and tasty):

OCT. 19-24: “125 Years of Pioneering New Trails” (Exhibit at the Blagg-Huey Library - 1st-2nd floors)
Explore the university’s fascinating history through an intriguing collection of photographs, letters, and other treasures.

OCT. 19-24: “125 Years of Academic Evolution” (Exhibit at the Blagg-Huey Library - Den)
Trace TWU’s academic journey from the original four courses to today’s five colleges.

OCT. 20: Special Collections and University Archives Open House (Blagg-Huey Library - 2nd floor, 1-4 p.m.)
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at rare books, WASP artifacts, and university history.

OCT. 22: “A Taste of TWU History” (Neva Hudiburgh Cochran Wellness Kitchen, 10:30-noon)
Join TWU Libraries and the Department of Nutrition & Food Sciences for a culinary demonstration inspired by the university’s renowned cookbook collection.

Big ideas and bold conversations:

OCT. 19-24: Research Symposiums | Graduate Open Houses |TEDxTWU Salon  (See website for event details)

OCT. 20: “The Next Play: Leadership in Women’s Sports (Student Union at Hubbard Hall - Southwest Ballroom,
7 p.m.)
This special installment of TWU’s acclaimed Paup Lecture Series explores leadership and the business of women’s sports. Dallas Sports Commission executive Monica Paul will headline the conversation, joined by two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Brandi Chastain and Dallas Trinity FC president and founder Charlie Neil. Tickets required.

Dream Big becomes public art:

OCT. 17: “Dreams” Sculpture Opening
Three new large-scale sculptures commemorating the impact of the Dream Big campaign, created by noted artist Bianca Beck, will make their debut as a permanent campus art installation near the amphitheater along North Bell Avenue.

A new era for Pioneer athletics:

OCT. 23: Dr. Dawn S. Chaney Athletics Complex Groundbreaking (Pioneer Soccer Park- Entrance, 11 a.m.)
TWU will celebrate the upcoming construction of a new athletics complex named in recognition of a transformational $10 million gift from three-time TWU alumna and philanthropist Dr. Dawn S. Chaney.

Pioneer athletics in action:

OCT. 23: Special Gymnastics Practice Viewing Party (Dance-Gymnastics Lab Building - 3rd Floor, 2 p.m.)
Experience an action-packed, up-close look at TWU’s 14-time national champion gymnastics program.

OCT. 23: Artistic Swim Exhibition (Pioneer Hall Pool, 3 p.m.)
TWU’s top-ranked artistic swimming team will present a thrilling swim exhibition.

OCT. 21: Goals, Beats, Eats (Pioneer Soccer Park, 5-6 p.m.)
Enjoy limited edition giveaways, music, free food trucks and games, plus cheer the Pioneers as they take on Lubbock Christian. Stick around for a post-game contest with a $2,500 scholarship prize!

OCT. 23-24: Pioneer Volleyball (Kitty Magee Arena - 6 p.m. on Oct. 23;  2 p.m. on Oct. 24)
Cheer the Pioneers as they face Lubbock Christian and Midwestern State, at matches featuring special fan experiences. Volleyball Tailgate at 5 p.m. on Oct. 23 at Pioneer Hall.

Pioneers on stage:

OCT. 21-25: The Night Witches (Redbud Theatre - evening and matinee performances)
This TWU-original work is inspired by the legendary all-female Soviet bomber pilots of World War II. Tickets.

OCT. 22-24: The Suffragist (Margo Jones Performance Hall -evening and matinee performances)
A new musical about Alice Paul explores the fight for women’s voting rights. Tickets.

125 years of art and artists:

OCT. 23: Alumni Art Show and Reception (Fine Arts Annex - East and West Galleries, 5-7 p.m.)
Celebrate TWU’s visual arts legacy at a reception featuring two anniversary exhibitions: the Distinguished Alumni Invitational Exhibition (Sept. 28-Oct. 24), showcasing work by more than a dozen accomplished alumni artists, and the TWU Visual Arts Juried Alumni Exhibition (Sept. 28-Oct. 24), featuring emerging, mid-career and established alumni working across a range of media.

Honoring local history:

OCT. 20: Quakertown Memorial Ribbon Cutting (near the East Campus Pavilion, 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m.)
TWU will dedicate a new memorial honoring Quakertown, the historic Black neighborhood displaced in the 1920s, with historical storytelling and the unveiling of a commemorative exhibit.

Houston and Dallas celebrations:

OCT. 19: Past & Present Unite: Celebrating 125! (TWU Dallas – noon-1 p.m.)
Celebrate 125 years of TWU with food, fun, photo opportunities and Pioneer pride.

OCT. 20: Rise & Dream Breakfast: Celebrating 125 Years of TWU (TWU Houston – 8-11 a.m.)
Start the day with breakfast and a celebration of TWU’s past, present and future.

For the complete festival lineup, visit: https://events.twu.edu/event/dream-big-festival

ABOUT TWU:
Texas Woman’s University is the nation’s largest woman-focused university system with campuses in Denton, Dallas, and Houston. Founded in 1901, TWU has built a reputation on contributions in nursing, healthcare, education, the arts and sciences, and business. TWU’s inclusive culture prioritizes experiential learning, leadership, service, discovery, and health and well-being, and national media have recognized the university as a top college for student-parents, veterans, and social mobility. In 2024, TWU eclipsed a $125 million goal in its ongoing fundraising effort, DREAM BIG, which supports programming, equipment, scholarships, and faculty. To learn more about the campaign or the university, visit dreambig.twu.edu or twu.edu, or connect with TWU on Facebook @TexasWomansUniversity, Instagram @txwomans, Twitter @txwomans, and LinkedIn @texaswomansuniversity.