Iowa State University Alumni Association| online edition | spring 1999

 

 


SPRING 1999
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Cover Story:
>>The Bells of Iowa State

Feature:
Driving Dr. Carver

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THE BELLS OF IOWA STATE
CELEBRATING A CENTURY: 1899-1999

Traditions

It’s a pretty good guess that the stately Edgar Stanton would have been nonplused at the tradition that grew from his generous gift. He was confident that the chimes would inspire students to holy thoughts, writing in a letter to the Board of Trustees in 1895, “I would have our college chimes such that they will turn the thoughts of student and teacher for the moment from daily cares to holier thinking...”

But every Iowa Stater knows that one of the most important functions of Stanton’s gift is to serve as the place where an Iowa State student truly becomes an Iowa Stater. (The earlier tradition that specified that a woman becomes a coed when she is kissed has been broadened to include men as well.) This magical transformation takes effect when a couple kisses under the Campanile. The best time is the stroke of midnight.

Mr. Stanton would have really blinked at the later elaboration on the old tradition. If one of the students is a virgin, a brick will fall out of the Campanile. Dick von Grabow, carillonneur from 1973 to 1991, reported that in his tenure, there were no errant bricks. “One time, though, I came down and found a whole bunch of Styrofoam bricks scattered around on the ground.”

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