In an unveiling ceremony for the new Memorial Bell Tower bells Monday night, Chancellor Randy Woodson, along with several main organizers for the Bell Tower effort, spoke of both the University and the tower’s history, present and future.

Matt Robbins, who played a role in arranging for the bells, told the story of the project’s creation.

“[Original organizers] wanted something that didn’t blend in so well with the ‘state penitentiary’ buildings on the campus in 1919,” Robbins said. “It was to be finished in a year, just in time for graduation in 1922. Once finished, it would have been the largest carillon tower on the face of the earth.”

Big dreams fell short soon after the original stones were put in place, and the tower stood incomplete for over a decade.

“The Great Depression brought these lofty innovations to a halt,” Robbins said. “Funding completely evaporated.”

After years of students walking past an incomplete tower, the construction was complete–except for the bells.

“The clock’s numbers were donated by the class of 1938 and the Honors Society; the class of 1939 donated the first-ever floodlights,” Robbins said. “Imagine seeing the tower being lit up for the first time at night.”

As the students of 1939 saw the tower at night for the first time, current students will hear the Bell Tower ring for the first time, with three bells already purchased and ready to be placed and two others awaiting funding.

“What a time to be a part of the Wolfpack nation,” Robbins said. “We have the first set of bells that will be set in the tower.”

John Tucker, senior class president, said the tower represents much more than a time-tracker for students.

“As I look back at my four years here at N.C. State, there have been a lot of instances of giving here at N.C. State, not just of the current generation, but past generations as well,” Tucker said.

Tucker said the bells being placed in the tower show our generation of N.C. State students are here to get things done, and give to one another.

“One of the best things the class of 2010 gave to this University was not just this bell, but the inspiration to give back, the inspiration to transform something into a reality,” Tucker said.

Woodson spoke about what the Bell Tower means to the University as a whole.

“What is so refreshing and I hope all of you see today, is the current connection that students are making to this Bell Tower today,” Woodson said.

He said the Bell Tower is more than a structure on campus, but a symbol of the University.

“Every day, I have the privilege of leading this University in Holladay Hall from a corner office that looks out over the Bell Tower, and every day, there is someone at the Bell Tower getting their picture taken or remembering their time at the University,” Woodson said.

According to Woodson, the class of 2010 and other students who have put time into completing the Bell Tower have a true understanding of University tradition.

“[Bell Tower organizers] are students who are thinking about the past and thinking about the wonderful legacy of N.C. State,” Woodson said.

After a long 125th birthday celebration that took place today, Woodson spoke with a sense of accomplishment.

“We are excited to get these bells in the tower and have real bells ringing in this tower,” Woodson said. “It has been a great day for N.C. State.”