Denny Chimes

Denny Chimes is a 115-foot (35-meter) bell tower featuring a limestone base, red brick shaft, and stepped pyramidal roof standing on the south side of the Quad. Inside, a carillon system holds 25 cast bronze bells that ring regularly throughout the day and perform musical pieces during university celebrations.

The tower originated in 1919 as a proposal to honor World War I, but construction did not begin until 1929 when students successfully raised the necessary funds. It has since become a defining landmark of the campus, woven into the university's everyday traditions.

The tower stands at the heart of the university's identity, with the surrounding pavement recording handprints and footprints of football team captains reaching back decades. Walking around it, you can see how deeply it connects to the school's athletic traditions and how students continue to mark their passage through the university.

The tower sits in a central location on campus and is easily accessible on foot from various directions. The surrounding grounds are open to the public throughout the day, and the best time to visit is when you can hear the bells ringing at regular intervals.

The largest bronze bell weighs several tons and produces deep resonant tones that carry across the entire campus. This main bell serves as the heart of the carillon system, shaping how the space sounds in a way few other campus buildings do.