Despite hot, muggy weather and lines stretching past Woolf Hall, students at The University of Texas at Arlington turned out in droves to celebrate making it halfway through the first week of the semester with a Maverick Stampede staple—Waffleopolis.
The tradition is now in its 28th year at UTA. Waffleopolis began in Brazos House, a residence hall built in 1936 and torn down in 2018, where resident assistants welcomed students with homemade Belgian waffles.
Over the years, Waffleopolis has evolved. The former residence hall is now a park, with part of the last remaining structure serving as a stage. A glow-stick-and-DJ-fueled dance party has been added, but at its core, Waffleopolis is still about waffles, ice cream, syrup and Mavericks from all backgrounds having a good time together.
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"It's been so awesome—it's such a well-knit community," said Jasmine Berg, a freshman architecture major. "It's just the people that UTA brings in; you see people line-dancing over there. I would join, but I don't know this dance."
For more experienced Mavericks, such as Ph.D. candidate Amir Hajighasemi, Waffleopolis offers a welcome break from demanding research.
"When you have these events, it cheers me up. I can focus better on my research and enjoy the experience," Hajighasemi said. "It's a pleasure to see lots of people; some of them are friends and some strangers, but I like to see people out and having fun."
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Belgian waffles—topped with ice cream, syrup and sprinkles—are the cornerstone of Waffleopolis. Each year, the University Center mall fills with thousands of students, just as the toppings pool in the waffles' square pockets fresh off the hot griddles.
Many students, like freshman Alden Liao, learn about the event through word of mouth from upperclassmen. The hype mandated his attendance, even though the architectural engineering major admits he doesn't have much of a sweet tooth.
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"I don't really like chocolatey or overly sweet things too much," Liao said. "I like ice cream, though—it's my favorite sweet treat. It's up to them, but one of the years they should have shaved ice."
Waffleopolis has evolved over time, and in another 28 years, Mavericks might even top their waffles with shaved ice. Whatever the toppings, the tradition will remain a distinctly UTA experience.
— Dylan Stewart, Marketing, Messaging, and Engagement
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 41,000, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation's top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.
