Senior Class President Jay Dawkins announced the bell project as the winner of a senior-class-wide vote last night at Buckhead Saloon during the first senior-night out of the semester.

Matt Robbins, founder of the Finish The Tower campaign, said he had been hoping a class would become the champion of the project.

“This is a part we had hoped and actually planned for,” Robbins said. “Every class from 1893 until 1922 helped to build it and every class from 1941 to 1947 tried to purchase bells. The class of 2010 is pledging to continue what the 1941 class couldn’t complete because of World War II.”

Robbins said the night was a special moment in the history of the University.

“This moment is the beginning of the galvanization of the student body finishing its icon,” he said.

Dawkins said the bell project received more than 600 of the 1,172 votes cast in last Thursday’s vote. Dawkins said the next step is mobilizing students to help out with the project.

“We’d love to put a bell in [the Tower],” Dawkins said. “A 2010 bell with all of our names on it.”

David Bascombe, a senior in mechanical engineering, said the project wasn’t just about the senior class, however.

“It’s not just about the senior class,” Bascombe said. “It’s about our Bell Tower.”

Dawkins echoed Bascombe’s sentiments.

“It’s about every student,” Dawkins said. “Each of us can do our part to leave our mark.”