Meet Me at The Tower

A decade ago, the vision for the Elliott Tower was to establish it as a central landmark at Oakland University. "Meet me at The Tower" was the catchy slogan introduced by donor Nancy Elliott, even appearing on t-shirts for students and staff.

In the last decade, this vision has come to life in meaningful ways. OU graduates proudly partake in the "Senior Climb," climbing the tower steps to snap a commemorative photo and sign their names. Once, in a touching moment, an OU medical student even composed a piece for the carillon, serenading his girlfriend at the tower before proposing.

“Hugh and I sent two dozen roses to the first couple who got engaged at the Tower,” Nancy recalls. “They wrote us a heartfelt thank you letter. The Elliott Tower is so much more than just a building.”

Hugh and Nancy Elliott, parents of OU graduate Chad (BIS '07), have been steadfast supporters of the university since 2007. Their contributions span various projects, scholarships, and charitable endeavors, including a $2 million donation to the School of Business Administration.

The inspiration for this landmark project was rooted in music. While watching Chad play golf at another campus, Nancy was captivated by the sound of carillon bells. “There’s a sense of calm when the music starts,” she says.

Intrigued, Nancy researched carillons across Michigan, visited three in Bloomfield Hills, and even contacted a bellfounding company in the Netherlands. The company agreed to craft the bells but required a tower to house them.

Nancy credited former OU President Gary Russi for identifying the perfect location for the tower. “Dr. Russi examined an aerial view of the campus and pinpointed the center as the ideal spot. He envisioned a place where students could gather and enjoy it. He got us the right spot!”
Oakland University carillonneur Dennis Curry was brought in as a consultant, and Niagara Murano Architects of Rochester were tasked with what Hugh described as an “engineering feat.” The total weight of the bells exceeds 30,000 pounds—over 15 tons.

A seasoned carillonneur, Curry appreciated collaborating with architects to design the bell tower. Among the three custom design proposals, he chose the tallest option and assisted in selecting materials, including the 12-foot-tall cupola adorned in gold titanium.

Standing 151 feet tall—equivalent to the Statue of Liberty from toes to torch—the Elliott Tower has 77 steps leading up to the bells. The bells, ranging from 24 to 5,000 pounds, were cast by the Petit and Fritsen Royal Bell Foundry in the Netherlands, a company with a storied history dating back to 1660. During the casting of the largest bell, Hugh and Nancy visited the foundry, where Hugh added his family’s gold watches and wedding bands to the molten bronze. This bell marked the end of the bell foundry’s 360-year legacy.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the tower took place on April 19, 2013. “What I enjoyed most was getting our names on hard hats and climbing up the cranes. It was freezing!” Nancy remembers. “We didn’t just write a check—we were actively involved!”

While Nancy focused on the tower, Hugh pursued his vision for a unique water feature. Inspired by the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, he envisioned a splash pad where kids could play and cool off. The water feature, located on the tower’s plaza, boasts programmable jets that shoot water up to 60 feet high. Controls for the feature are housed in the tower’s basement.

The Elliott Tower was officially dedicated on September 19, 2014. At 151 feet, it ranks among the tallest bell towers on any U.S. university campus.

For the dedication, Curry collaborated with Dr. James Lentini, former senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at OU, to compose “Ulysses’ Sail,” a new piece for the occasion. Although Lentini had never composed for a carillon before, Curry now opens each summer series with his piece.

Since its dedication, Curry has performed a live concert every Friday at noon. The program often reflects current events or campus happenings. “I time my performances around class changes so students can hear the music as they transition between classes,” Curry says.

In addition to weekly recitals, the International Carillon Summer Series attracts hundreds of visitors to campus, featuring artists from around the globe. “The series is a wonderful community outreach event,” Curry says, adding that attendees often tour the tower post-concert. “It’s amazing to see so many visitors.”

Despite a decade of traditional Westminster Quarter chimes, weekly performances and special events, many still refer to it simply as the “clock tower.” Curry says, “It’s the largest instrument on campus, but it often goes unrecognized.”

During the pandemic, Curry continued to foster a sense of community with socially distanced performances, delighting listeners with favorites like the 1980s disco hit “Stayin’ Alive.”
Curry, originally trained as an organist, finds that his background in piano translates to carillon performance, though playing the carillon requires using a clenched fist.

As for the Elliotts, their expectations for the limestone and brick tower as a community focal point have been exceeded.

“I can’t count the number of texts I get from friends and neighbors saying, ‘I can hear your tower,’” Nancy shares. Hugh adds, “We visit campus in the summer and watch kids play in the fountain; it’s exactly what we envisioned.”

For students, staff, and the community, the iconic Elliott Tower is more than a striking landmark—it is a place where lifetime memories are made.

Learn more about the Elliott Tower and the concert schedule.

Are you an alum with a special story about the Elliott Tower? We would love to hear it! Email our office of Alumni Engagement at [email protected] to tell us your story!