Years ago, (more than I want to count) I moved into Campbell Residence Hall after having only been on campus twice before. I hadn’t taken the typical tour, nor did I know much about campus at all. After my parents left, I set out to explore.
The very first place I went to was Beaumont Tower. I could practically see it from my room on the third floor, and it rose majestically before me once I crossed the street. It took my breath away.
Bathed in fall beauty, I was inspired by its strength and its confident reach for the sky. I was a nervous freshman and the solid foundation offered me a sense of grounding as I faced the uncertain future before me. Throughout that first year, I walked by Beaumont countless times. I don’t think there was ever a time I didn’t pause and look up.
When I started working on campus, I was thrilled that I could see it from my building and hear its chimes every quarter-hour. The playing of “Shadows” usually brings a lump to my throat no matter how often I’ve heard it. Occasionally, I’d hear songs you wouldn’t expect to hear played on a carillon and it always made me smile. I was saddened to learn of the passing of longtime carillonneur, Ray McLellan.
Now that I’ve been working from home, I’ve missed that daily reminder of the tower’s steadfast presence. I’ve made a point to get to campus and walk occasionally, and I usually make a stop there. Plus, the area is home to an incredible number of squirrels, so my dog is keen to pull me in that direction.
Yesterday, we celebrated the anniversary of the dedication of Beaumont Tower, marking 92 years that it has served as an iconic symbol of Michigan State. I can’t imagine the tens of thousands of photos that have been taken since that day, but we gathered up a few to share in a beautiful historical photo gallery.
In the gallery, is the gorgeous photo I’ve used in this story, taken just last week by my colleague Derrick. In the cutline, my colleague Kelsie mentions that after all its time on campus, Beaumont Tower deserves a place among the stars. I couldn’t agree more.
I also see it as a representation of all the Spartans who deserve a place among the stars. There are so many students, staff, faculty members and alumni who have given their all, discovered, taught, healed, shared, created, performed, wrote, served and made this world a better place for all of us.
And I don’t just mean the big, public accomplishments like those we reported on this week including discovering a new species, studying vaccine hesitancy, finding a unique way to research stuttering, supporting the new Apple Developer Academy or making the Olympic team.
Every Spartan has the ability to make a difference and have a place among the stars. Even when it seems so beyond our reach, it’s amazing what we can do when we put our minds to it. Dream big, Spartans. Make your mark and live among the stars. Spartans Will.
Lisa Mulcrone
Editor, MSUToday
Photo by Derrick L. Turner