Freemasons from Raleigh and surrounding lodges contributed $2,000 to Matt Robbins, a graduate student in architecture, to aid in the completion of the Bell Tower by adding bells to the structure.

Robbins spoke to members and administrative officers April 1, asking them to serve as the cornerstone of the project.

“Everybody was very attentive and interested with what Matt was saying,” Sam Frink, a sophomore in engineering said. “Overall, there was a great response and they were all really supportive of the idea.”

Robbins said he presented a history lesson to them because they were involved with the Bell Tower at such an early time, when it was first constructed. He also said the meeting was a great time and opportunity to reiterate that the original design can be accomplished if they [students and Masons] work together.

“The only other time when enough students are gathered for the purpose of doing something as one accord together is when we are all yelling at Carter Finley,” he said. “That’s a great symbol of Wolfpack pride but this is an attempt to reinvent the sense of ownership of the University and create the same sense of unity.”

When the meeting came to a close, Robbins said one of the leaders of the Grand Lodge approached him and said this [project] is exactly what the Masons needed. He handed Robbins a check for $1,000 and other members presented Robbins with checks as well.

“This is seed money,” Robbins said. “It’s money that will grow in turn. The seed money they have so graciously given gets put into the shirts, which all support the cause.”

Robbins said he was overwhelmed at the Mason’s response and the amount of support blew him away.

“It wasn’t that I expected a certain amount because I didn’t want to chastise my mind,” he said. “I always expect big things from them [Masons], but I didn’t know exactly what it was going to be.”

Robbins said the money from the Masons allows about 1,000 shirts to be printed.

“We’ve already received an overwhelming amount of people saying they want a

shirt,” Robbins said. “About $2,500 will be put into printing and if we can sell all of the shirts, that money turns into $5,000.”

Robbins said the profit from the shirts will go directly into a fund for the bells he is hoping to have placed in the Bell Tower.

“It would be such a statement to the University to say the community has raised enough money for the beginning portion of this project,” he said.

However, Robbins said he is unsure when the bells will actually be placed in the Bell Tower. The renovation is on hold indefinitely because of Gov. Bev Perdue’s executive order which restricts the activation of new capital projects, he said.

“In order for the installation to happen, the renovation will have to be in progress,” he said. “Facilities has agreed to keep a portal in the shrine room ceiling open during the renovation and we can put six bells in through

the portal.”

Regardless of the time line, Frink said completing the Bell Tower will help bring everyone together.

“Everyone will have a part in making this University complete,” Frink said. “If we can all get together to complete it, we can all leave a mark on the University forever.”