TRADITIONS AT WEBER: The Victory Bell that rang EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series on traditions at Weber State College. Since 1776 is the Bicentennial Year people are turning their eye to history. As a Bicentennial campus Weber State College has a rich history of traditions. We will unfold the stories of some of these during this year. Only 11, 1939 when down the day it was decided down the old city hall. Mayor Harmon B. WEBER STATE iW COLLEGE) | | | Peery suggested that it be donated to the Old Mill Resort where other relics were deposited. College students, hearing been the discussion about the of bell decided that it would be a welcome addition to _ the OFFICIAL BICENTENNIAL CAMPUS traditions of WSC and appeared . know to tear ‘What should be done with the bell?” it its history, the wantto special For 20 years the bell hung in the tower silently, delivering no message to the town. Then, came path led to a little office tucked in a corner hallway in the WSC library. “So, you with stopped ringing. white with a purple “‘W.”’ Tracking child the bells ringing out ‘‘Time to be at home.”’ The bell carried on its duty from the city hall tower until about 1918 when it gradually declared the Homecoming football game victory over old foes, Westminster College. But it has not always a parental permission could ignore Its loud and strident voice has rung out victories at Weber State Nov. in off the in the winter and 9 p.m. in the summer. If the Weber State College Victory Bell could speak in other than victorious peals it would have a long story to tell. since the children streets at 8 p.m. at about a commissioners campaign for the bell. meeting to the Weber State Victory Bell!” said a pleasant voice, and Clarisse Hall, former registrar at WSC for 35 years, peeked around the door. She pulled out a blue and white book of historical data that she had written. ‘You’ll find the history of the bell here.” In 1888 the victory bell was not it will get better care here (Weber). It will be cherished as one of our fondest traditions. The freshmen each year will be required to polish it and keep it polished. It will collect no cobwebs or rust. Up here it will live on and continue to make history. a victory bell at all but a gracious city hall ‘‘curfew bell”’ it...Heroes of the school will be They told the group, ‘“‘We think Students will stage rallies around ee MWe i |i \ rN A mn) a ee honored by allowing them to take a whack at Examiner.”’ it.’’ ‘‘Standard- problem down but there of how from remained the to get the bell the tower. had been awarded to the college, but the old city hall still had not been torn down and the one-half ton bell still hung in the tower. ‘Barring fire, flood, famine or Nazi invasion, the victory bell will be riding around the Weber Cam- pus on a go-cart before Mr. Mon- Thompson, who wear traditional ‘‘W” gets a polishing by 1949 Orgill, Clair Nielsen and Lee “beanies.” son assigns the theme,” reported first English the Sept. 18, 1939, Signpost. A group of men college students, including Bart Wolthuis, sophomore class president of the previous year, Seaman Mills president of the newly formed: men’s pep Wolthuis, active at the college, determined to retrieve the bell. club, and into the tower. With chains and a great deal of huffing and puffing, tugging and straining, the group Man speculated on ways to procure it but it continued to hang there until the fall of 1939. With the approach _ of Homecoming the students wanted the bell to be a part of the parade. It was almost a year since the bell The white victory bell with purple student freshmen Beth Macfarlane E On Friday, Nov. 10, they climbed It was finally approved for the college, olf Gerrit Comment Second-class postage paid at Ogden, Utah, published bi-monthly at Weber State College with editorial offices in the Administration Building, Ogden, Utoh 84403. Vol. 3 No. 3, Sept. 1975. COMMENT is mailed at alumni of Weber State College. no charge Officers and Directors OFFICERS L. Kent Bachman, President Or. W. Michael Burdett, First Vice President Douglas G. Brian, Second Vice President DIRECTORS Joseph &. Ligorl Kent 8. Peterson Hazel Robertson Or. David O. Hendrickson Thomas C. Webber Barbora Tim Skeon Morris Noncy Forrell Poul Checketts Junius R, Tribe Molba Alon Lehner Hall, Executive Director Or. James R. Foulger, Alumni Treasurer Or. Joseph L. Bishop, WSC President Deon W. Hurst, Assistant to the President Rex Frasier, Studentbody Prosident to