“Truly be present in everything this university has to offer. I wish I could go back and go to more sporting events, more midnights in Heritage Park with the Purple Poo, more events on the Trogdon lawn, more study sessions in the library with my sorority sisters that contained more laughter then actually studying, going to every event during Homecoming week (or at least trying), and don’t take for granted getting to live within minutes of all your best friends. I don’t know if that’s one broad piece of advice or a million small pieces of advice, but they are all true. Tarleton is a special place and truly soaking in every moment is probably not possible, but we can try!”
Margaret Tippie
Tarleton State Aluma | Class of 2021 & 2024
Aside from the obvious goal of making new friends, getting involved can serve as a gateway to a network of people that could permanently impact your life.
In Margaret Tippie’s case, her endless list of accolades and involvement served as a guiding light that led her closer and closer to where she is today.
During her time on campus, Tippie was involved in over ten student organizations, many of which she held leadership roles in.
Aside from being a Tarleton Transition Mentor (TTM) from 2018 to 2020, Margaret was an active member of the Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority where she served terms as the Public Relations Coordinator, Special Events Coordinator and Panhellenic Delegate. During this time, she also held a position as the Student Director of New Student Programs.
Tippie was heavily involved in the Student Government Association (SGA) where she served as the Graduate Student Congressperson from 2021 to 2022.
Her involvement did not stop there. In 2023, Margaret served as the Secretary for the Tarleton Ambassadors and later served as the President from 2023 to 2024. She was also an active member of the National Society for Leadership and Success, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society and the Assistant Director of Volunteers for Tarleton RoundUp.
“I don’t know if I can pick one organization that impacted my life the most. I experienced these all at different times or at the same time, and I experienced them exactly when I was supposed to in my college career. Each involvement gave me new skills, helped me sharpen old skills, created new friendships, bolstered old friendships, created connections around campus for me, but most importantly they gave me the best memories and filled my college career with so much love and purpose. I truly believe that everyone should get involved in at least one club or organization during their time in college, because those experiences are molding you into who you are going to be in the future,” Tippie said.
In 2021, Margaret graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with a concentration in American Politics and a double minor in mathematics and philosophy. Soon after crossing the stage, Tippie began her graduate program here at Tarleton State.
In May of this year, Tippie crossed the stage again after earning her Master of Public Administration degree from her alma mater.
Margaret’s Texan journey was an experience she was able to share with her mother who is also a Tarleton State alumna.
“My mom is an alum as well, but she went to school later in life as a mom of four, so we didn’t get the usual “my parent is an alum experience”. My mom actually experienced her first home football game with me during my first semester there. Also, a lot of my classmates from high school were current students at the time, so it was kind of a no brainer. All that to say, I believe my reason for choosing to attend Tarleton isn’t as important as that reason I chose to stay, the people. Not only did I stay and finish my undergrad here, but I chose to stay for an additional three years to pursue and graduate with my M.P.A. I truly had the time of my life during my time here and got to experience and enjoy everything that makes Tarleton, well Tarleton. I love my alma mater for its rich history, wonderful traditions, and the incredible community that calls her home. There is no place like Tarleton State University, and I am extremely lucky to have been given the chance to experience such a wonderful place,” Tippie said.
Since graduating, Margaret has found a new home at Kansas State University where she serves as one of the Assistant Directors of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Her role handles advising Panhellenic, chapter coaching and much more.
Her Greek affiliation during her undergraduate program heavily prepared Tippie for the role she is in today. Being involved in the Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority helped Margaret realize her love for the Panhellenic community!
“During my time as Campus Prevention Graduate Assistant, I got to work and build relationships with various groups and departments across campus, one of them being the Greek community at Tarleton. The team in the Dean of Students Administrative Office gave me so much freedom to build the prevention programming at Tarleton and gave me the independence to succeed but also make mistakes and learn from them. My three years in that office along with my various involvements on campus during that time, gave me a wide variety of experiences, leadership opportunities, and led me to creating connections with a wide variety of professionals and students on the campus. I owe a lot to my community at Tarleton that supported me in my personal goals, at my events, and consistently made room for me and my voice at all the tables across campus from committees to Cabinet meetings and everything in between,” Tippie said.
That love for her university as well as the Greek community has carried over into her professional life. Although very new to her current role, Tippie shared that her favorite part is the people.
“It is so apparent that this community, whether that’s students, staff, alum, etc., truly loves K-State and everything that the community encompasses. The energy and attitude of this campus is contagious, and I cannot wait to continue to meet and connect with more of this wonderful community in the upcoming months! The people within my own office have been instrumental in creating a welcoming and supportive environment and I cannot wait to see what we do as a team this upcoming year. Moving is hard and these people have made me feel like this is exactly where I belong,” Tippie said.
There’s no doubt that the love, time and dedication Margaret gave to Tarleton State during her time as a student will be reciprocated to Kansas State.
Despite her various accolades, Tippie shared that her greatest accomplishment to date has been packing up her bags almost immediately after graduation and moving to Manhattan, Kansas.
“Leaving Stephenville after 6 years, my home there, my phenomenal landlords that became my family and vice versa, the friends, the Dean of Students Office where I was a GA for the last 3 years where the professional staff became some of my favorite people, and finally the community that I had built at the University in general. I loved my time at Tarleton and I truly worked hard to create an environment where I would see someone I knew around every corner, whether that was students, friends, the greatest people (student counseling services staff), Dr. Hurley and Mrs. Kindall, and a multitude of other people who would take up the entire blog if I continued to list them! I truly love Tarleton and the experiences I was able to have during my time here are some of my most cherished memories. So, gearing up and pushing myself to not only leave that space but also my parents, siblings and nieces and nephews to move to another state has been something challenging but also very rewarding. This new adventure is my greatest accomplishment post-graduate in both my professional and personal life,” Tippie shared.
In her six years of service to Tarleton State, Margaret Tippie showed what it means to be fully engulfed in the Texan spirit. Between earning multiple degrees, being involved in a slew of clubs and constantly being a smiling face around campus, Tippie has truly made a legacy for herself at Tarleton State.
“Tarleton State University is a place where anybody can be somebody! There is truly a place for everyone on our campus whether it’s Greek life, the E-Sports club, club sports, a service-based organization, a spiritual based organization, or an organization/society within your academic college. You can find your people and create memories that stick with you beyond the gates of Tarleton. Also, we have, in my personal opinion, the best traditions hands down. There is something for everyone at Tarleton, and if you get here and truly pour into your college experience, it will feel like home in no time,” Tippie shared.
To start your Tarleton State journey, visit https://www.tarleton.edu/degrees/.
