Purdue News

April 2, 1999 Lightning takes its toll on tower's tolling WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- A recent lightning strike apparently silenced the bells and carillon of the Purdue University Bell Tower. Computerized control equipment has been shipped to the manufacturing facility in Ohio for repair or replacement, and a factory technician is expected to inspect related equipment in the tower next week, said Greg Zawisza, director of special projects in the Office of University Relations. He said he hoped that the control equipment would be reinstalled in the next couple of weeks, in time for Gala Week April 23-25. When operating normally, the bell tower's four century-old bells ring every hour and half hour from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. They also sound the 20-past-the-hour traditional class-end time on weekdays and Saturdays. The bells were saved from the old Heavilon Hall Tower when it was razed in 1956. The new tower was dedicated in October 1995. CONTACT: Zawisza, (765) 494-2086; greg_zawisza@uns.purdue Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page