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

Missing a beat

As steady as Iowa State's heartbeat has been, its past 100 years have not been without some flutters and missed beats.

1936
One of the first crises for the bells came in 1936. The second set of bells had been successfully installed (bringing the number of bells from 10 to 36), and 50,000 people – the largest crowd ever to congregate on campus – had attended the dedication.

And then a religious group on campus began fighting fiercely for a small chapel to be built on central campus, next to the Campanile.

Those who understood that Dean Stanton and past President Beardshear had selected the Campanile’s site so that the sound would not be distorted by other buildings, fought just as fiercely for its continued isolation.

They won, and today it is unthinkable that any structure would ever mar the visual beauty of central campus, or deflect the sound of the bells.

1991
The years had taken their toll. The Campanile and bells needed major renovation – to the tune of $350,000. But not only could the university not afford the repairs, it couldn’t even afford to replace retiring carillonneur, Dick von Grabow. It was a time of tightened belts and budget cuts. In May 1991, for the first time since they rang out 93 years before, the bells stopped.

But heartbeats do not stop without attracting attention. And one of the earthlings paying a lot of attention was a disc jockey named Kenn McCloud, who locked himself in the silent Campanile, played Louie, Louie, and vowed not to come out again until he had raised $10,000 – enough to pay a guest carillonneur.

ISU students brought McCloud pizzas, hamburgers, and good cheer. They also brought him money. The story made national news, and alumni throughout the country began to contribute. The five-day lock-in eventually resulted not only in students, staff, townspeople, and alumni contributing $10,000 – but in the beginning of a major crusade. The campaign that followed raised the balance of the money needed for renovations and a carillonneur. It also prompted a million dollar endowment that ensured the tower and the bells’ continued health.

And the first piece to be played by newly-hired carillonneur Marilyn Anderson? Why Louie, Louie, of course.

Read on | The bells heard round the world