Spring Break
Albritton Bell Tower celebrates 25 years
By: Katy Ralston
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: News
|
Dedicated Oct. 6, 1984, by Martha and Ford D. Albritton Jr., the 138-foot tower has become an integral part of the Aggie tradition in its short span of 25 years.
"The Albritton tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Texas A&M campus and signifies the major entry way into the academic core of campus," said Vice President for Marketing and Communications Jason Cook.
In 1969 as president of the Association of Former Students and member of the Board of Regents, Albritton initiated the process of building the bell tower on campus when it was brought to his attention that a university with so much tradition and love for the school was missing this element.
"I started thinking about it, and it took us a while, but we finally built it," Albritton said. "After doing a lot of research, we determined what we wanted."
The team visited campuses around the country that had bell towers before coming to a final design.
The Albritton Bell Tower contains Westminster chimes and 49 carillon bells cast at a 200-year-old foundry in France. The bells weigh a total of 17 tons, the largest weighing more than 6,000 pounds, while the smallest weighs 28 pounds.
The bell tower rings every quarter hour and for special occasions such as graduation and football victories. It can also be programmed to play patriotic and Aggie tunes.
During Silver Taps, Aggies gather to honor those students who have died in the previous month. The Albritton Bell Tower sounds off the ceremony with the playing of old hymns.
"Whenever you hear the bell tower playing those last two songs, "Amazing Grace" and "Near My God To Thee," it's calling the students to gather and to let everyone know that Silver Taps is starting," said former Silver Taps Remembrance director Austin Carnes. "It gets you mentally and emotionally prepared for what is about to happen, to honor the fallen Aggies."
Be sure to include your name, major, and class year. Submissions without this information are subject to deletion.
By submitting a comment, you agree to thebatt.com's Terms of Use.
You may also send a Mail Call to The Battalion at mailcall@thebatt.com