December 2011

The gift of bells

For nearly six years, the Nicholas A. Vacc bell tower has tolled each hour, day in and day out. Now it sings.

Dr. Nancy Vacc, professor emerita of education, gave the original bell tower in honor of her husband in 2005. At the time of construction, it had four bells.

A new gift from Vacc has given the 47-foot brick tower at the corner of Spring Garden Street and College Avenue 21 new bells, bringing the number to 25.

Thanks to the broadened range, the bell tower can be programmed to play a number of songs, such as “The University Song,” which now rings out every day at noon. During the chancellor's annual holiday party, the tower played “Jingle Bells,” “Silver Bells” and “Deck the Halls” every 15 minutes.

“We have 500 songs programmed and space to hold more than 1,000 songs,” said Julie Landen, Alumni House manager. “With the extra bells it's a more powerful sound.”