STEWART CARILLON TOWER THE VOICE OF WEBER STATE COLLEGE... WEBER STATE COLLEGE was originally founded as the Weber Stake Academy in 1889 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and progressed through many stages of development as a church school before becoming a state junior college in 1933. Granted four-year senior status in 1959, the first baccalaureate degrees were awarded in June, 1964. The structure, located in the heart of the campus, is 100 feet high from the base to the top of the clock faces and is surrounded by a plaza area and reflecting pool. A performance room for the carillon instrument is located in the base of the tower. Completed at a total cost of $225,000 including the cast bells and electronic equipment, the structure was designed by architectural firm of John Piers. The structure was constructed by the firm of Cannon-Papanikolas Construction Co. The plaque imbedded in the concrete at the base of the tower reads thus: This Bell Tower whose Bells Ring out the passing of time on the campus of Weber State College was presented by Donnell B. Stewart, Class of 1926 and 1966 Elizabeth S. Stewart, Class of 1925 In memory of all whose names are forever associated with this great institution. 1971 THE CARILLON TOWER... Conceived as a vague image by an obscure dreamer, a lofty carillon tower was included in the master plan of Weber State College. Aesthetically valuable and culturally sound, it required funding from private sources inasmuch as state funds were not available for such a project. In 1968 the dream was picked up, dusted off and presented to two other dreamers: alumni couple Donnell and Elizabeth Stewart, who caught the vision and agreed to finance the structure through the Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Charitable Foundation; and what previously had been a vague image began to assume more definite shape. Original plans called for the completion of the tower during Homecoming Week of the college in October of 1970, but due to many delays the construction was not begun until the Spring of 1971. The Stewart Carillon Tower, as it was officially designated by the Institutional Council of the college, was dedicated and presented to the college on December 14, 1971. Standing as a campus and community landmark the Stewart Carillon Tower symbolizes the growth and development of the college from an infant academy to a flourishing institution of higher education. THE BELLS OF WEBER STATE... The Stewart Bell Tower is unique in that actually two-types of bells comprise the carillon instrument; four Flemish Eisboutz Cast Bells visibly suspended near the top of the tower produce the hour strike and sound the familiar Westminster Chime. Housed in the base of the tower is a Schulmerich "Americana" carillon of 61 Flemish, 61 Harp and 61 Celest bells for a total of 183 bells to date, the largest carillon of its type in the state. The electronic carillon consists of miniature precision tuned bell metal tone generators struck by metal hammers as tone sources. The sound is then amplified and relayed through "stentors" or speakers positioned near the top of the tower to produce true bell tones undistinguishable from a carillon of full-sized bells. The instrument can be played manually from a console located in the base of the tower or activated through an automatic roll player on clock controlled accessories in the structure. As a major point of interest, bells through the centuries have been interpreted as a voice to the people and following this tradition the cast bells of Weber State carry inscriptions selected by the donors as an admonition and challenge to all who hear their message. The Latin inscription together with the translation is as follows: Bell No. 1 "Scientiam Discite" Learn Understanding Bell No. 2 "Sapientiam Capite" Gain (grasp) Wisdom Bell No. 3 "Virtutem Agite" Practice Virtue Bell No. 4 "Deum Amate" Love God