Burran Bell Tower

Every college campus needs a physical icon to serve as a gathering place for student life as well as symbolize the spirit and commitment of the institution. In the earliest days of Dalton State’s life, “The Boulder” defined that mission. Today, that responsibility has been assumed by the Quadrangle and Bell Tower which have become the aesthetic centerpiece of the entire campus as well as well as emblematic of the college’s growth and development.

With construction beginning early in 2008, the 75 foot bell tower and surrounding grounds were the first “brick and mortar” projects funded by the Dalton State College Foundation’s “Fulfilling the Vision” fundraising campaign. Through private donations, the DSC Foundation achieved the funds for this project as well as financial resources necessary to strengthen academic programs, enhance student opportunities, and fund activities to bring the campus and community together. Citing its value as a tool to create a more traditional college campus atmosphere, David Elrod, Dalton State’s Director of Institutional Advancement, also praised the project as “ a fitting tribute to the college’s 40 year history and a symbol of great things to come.”

Dalton area architect Greg Sims designed the tower and ABUCK Inc. of Mableton, Georgia served as general contractor for the 110 day construction project. In its first use in an American construction project, TX Active photocatalytic cement was employed to anchor the 20 pre-cast concrete panels which form the tower. This cement reacts with sunlight to destroy atmospheric pollutants and makes the tower self cleaning.

An essential component of the bell tower’s contribution to the overall campus ambience is the 25 bell carillon housed by the tower. Designed by the French company Paccard Fonderie de Cloches, the carillon bells were cast from an alloy of copper and tin, with the largest of the bells weighing 1323 lbs and the smallest 49 lbs. The carillon can be pre-programmed to play tunes electronically or operated with a keyboard by a carilloneur. The traditional Westminster chime marks the time at the top of each hour between 8 am and 8 pm.

Transforming the site of the quadrangle from an empty lot dotted with pine trees and crossed with concrete walkways into an appropriate venue was the task of Dalton State’s head groundskeeper Lynne Morse. Morse and her crews transformed the area into a formal southern garden by adding cherry trees, azaleas, crepe myrtles, white knockout roses, and dwarf English boxwoods. Special care was taken while installing the irrigation system to work around the root system of an existing oak tree situated on the corner of the site.

Heavy rain greeted the audience on July 22, 2010, which assembled for the ceremony naming the tower in honor of former Dalton State president Dr. James Burran. During his remarks, Georgia Board of Regents member Jim Jolly praised Dr. Burran’s leadership from 1995 to 2008, a time in which Dalton State moved from a two-year institution to a four year college. While Dr. Burran served as president, Dalton State began its first bachelor’s degree program, created 10 four year degree programs, and its student population grew from around 3,000 to more than 4,500. Dalton State’s current president, Dr. John Schwenn, noted during the ceremony that naming any structure on a college campus after an individual is a complex and contemplative process requiring Board of Regent approval. “But naming the bell tower after Jim Burran,” Schwenn said, “was easy because all of us wanted to honor his outstanding presidency.”

Some may question what merit a bell tower and carillon add to the academic reputation of Dalton State, but a college is more than just a place of learning. It is an institution that values not just education, but also strives to create a society united through a shared sense of community and dedication. Symbols of this spirit are necessary to draw out the innermost appreciations of the physical and natural worlds that exist in all of us. A college should feed our souls as well as our minds.

Bandy Heritage Center

Burran Bell Tower

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