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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LET THE PARTY BEGIN

Let's get something out in the open here: I turned 40 last week.

There. Now you know.

The amazing part is that I celebrated this momentous occasion without a single black balloon. I did, however, get one balloon that said, "Hahaha! You're HOW old?" and many rude birthday cards.

I also got 40 cupcakes at my staff birthday party and 40 cards in the mail from my sister (complete with shiny confetti shaped like miniature 40s.)

But no black balloons.

Is it my imagination, or has celebrating decade birthdays really gotten out of hand? The party stores provide a never-ending supply of black party goods, mock tombstones (suitable for personalization), and huge buttons that proclaim the birthday-person’s age. Card stores are filled with racks and racks of cards with "humorous" sentiments for folks turning 30, 40, 50, and beyond.

We don’t stop this steady stream of milestone-celebration with people. No. Here at Iowa State, for example, not a week goes by that we don’t get a news release proclaiming somebody’s special anniversary. Departments, programs, and buildings all get the royal treatment for making it 10 years, or 25, or 50, or 75, or whatever. And why not? It’s a good excuse for reflection, and it’s a fine reason to celebrate. Heck, when Disney World turned 25, they celebrated down there for a YEAR! Not that I would ever accuse Disney of overkill.

The other day, I was traveling with a friend when I happened to mention my upcoming birthday milestone. The friend brought into question the tradition of making a big fuss over birthdays and anniversaries just because they end in a zero. Why not birthdays that end in a two? he wondered. Anniversaries that end in a seven?

I told him to shut up and drive.

Hey, I figure everyone else gets fussed over, why not me too?

Now here’s a real cause for celebration: The ISU Campanile and its ever-present bells celebrate their 100th birthday (or is it an anniversary? I never know) this year. That’s a biggie. Big enough to grab our magazine cover and lure the VISIONS staff to the top of the bell tower several times (after which I gained tremendous admiration for Tin-Shi Tam, ISU’s official carillonneur, who tromps up there every live-long day and still retains a positive attitude).

A whole century, wow, just think about that. The bells have chimed for 100 years of freshmen on their first day at Iowa State, and for 100 years of seniors as they prepare to graduate. Those chimes have rung out through two world wars and the Great Depression. The tower has withstood 100 Iowa winters. And generations of students have fallen in love under those graceful archways. The Campanile probably has about a million stories to tell.

So what kind of a card do you get for 100-year-old bricks and bells? It should be truly special. I tried to come up with something really creative, but my mind is still clogged with catchy phrases like “Lordy, lordy, look who’s 40” and “I’d rather be 40 than pregnant.” You can imagine the mental block this would cause.

I’ll just wish the Campanile a happy 100th birthday and leave it at that.

About the Writer | Carole Gieseke is the editor of VISIONS magazine.