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The campanile, one of Mount Oread’s best-known landmarks, was built as a memorial to KU family members who died in World War II. This year, about 4,000 graduating students passed through its bronze doors on the way to Commencement, as their counterparts have since 1951.
But there’s more to the story.
Read the history of the campanile, from inspiration to dedication, which appeared in the Fall 2007 issue of KU Giving magazine.
Play the carillon along with carillonneur Elizabeth Berghout. For the curious, here’s a list of rumors, oddities and things that didn’t happen related to the campanile — and for the statistically minded, a list of facts and figures.
The doors, the plaques and their maker are a story unto themselves. The campanile cornerstone contains mid-20th century memorabilia.
In all, 17 proposals for a memorial were made; 15 were not chosen.
The building, the doors and the carillon were completed at different times. Read the dedications and speeches.
Now, help continue the story so that future generations of graduates can take that familiar walk.