MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State University quarried into the middle of its main street Saturday, June 17, to start construction of Shafer Tower, a 145-foot carillon tower.

The tower is named for Phyllis C. and Hamer D. Shafer, community business leaders and benefactors. Phyllis Shafer, a 1947 graduate, is a member of the Ball State University Foundation’s Board of Directors and served 15 years as chairman. Hamer Shafer has been honored by the university for his outstanding leadership in business, civic, community and statewide affairs with an honorary doctor of laws degree.

After the tower’s completion in May 2001, it will rise from the center of McKinley Avenue with traffic curving around the base of the structure. The street will remain open throughout the construction.

Shafer Tower will be the tallest structure in Delaware County, surpassing Teachers College, which is 138-feet tall.

The $3 million project will serve as a focal point for the new north quadrangle. It is being funded by private gifts.

The tower will house 48 French-made, custom-cast and individually-tuned carillon bells. (Listen to a sampling of carillon music played during the dedication. You need the free RealPlayer to hear it.)

The bells, with a range of four octaves, will make it possible to provide a variety of concert-quality musical presentations.

Daily chimes may be pre-recorded music played through an automated system. However, live programs with trained carillonneurs will be planned for special occasions such as homecoming or commencement.

A carillon, or a set of 23 or more cast-bronze bells, is the world’s largest musical instrument and the only one played exclusively outdoors to a public arena.

Unlike bells that swing back and forth and produce sound when the clapper hanging inside strikes the sides, carillon bells are stationary.

(Note to Editors: For more information about this story contact University Relations at 765-285-1560.)