What turned out to be a bomb hoax Saturday prompted campus police at Tarleton State University in Stephenville to change the venue of a fall graduation commencement after the first of three ceremonies.
Tarleton State, part of the Texas A&M University System, had ceremonies scheduled at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.Campus officials moved the 1 p.m. event with about 500 graduates from Wisdom Gym to the football stadium after a threatening message was found in a woman's restroom."It was written on the wall," said Tarleton spokesman Joe Michael Feist. "It said, 'There is a bomb in this building.'"Campus police immediately evacuated the building, and school officials alerted students and staff about the venue change, using a campuswide alert system."All threats have to be taken seriously," Feist said, referring to gun violence on school and college campuses in recent years. "You just never know these days."Janice Horak, a campus spokeswoman, said police gave the "all clear" about 2:49 p.m. The last ceremony was held at the originally planned location in the gym at 4:30 p.m., 30 minutes late.Campus police are still investigating.Susan McFarland, 817-431-2231Twitter: @susanmcfarland1Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
