Included in the complex will be a beautiful bell and clock tower over 130’ tall; an open-sided, multi purpose activity space under the tower that can seat 142 people; two arbors; four water gardens; Walls of Honor; columns; an alumni plaza with benches and walkways; and an amphitheater for seated outdoor programs.

In the early 90’s, a group of current and former USA Alumni Association board members and past presidents gathered frequently to socialize after board meetings. One subject seemed to come up at every gathering-----”We need a bell tower on this campus!”

The Alumni Association earmarked $200,000 for the construction and bricks were sold to graduating seniors, but the project never got off the ground until President Gordon Moulton charged Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, Dr Joseph Busta, with the mission of raising the funds needed to construct an on-campus bell tower.

At a Homecoming 2007 Reunion Luncheon, plans were announced for a Bell Tower and Alumni Plaza. The complex will serve as a stunning architectural feature, a prominent center of student life, and an historic tribute to the most committed alumni and University leaders. It will be located between Alumni Hall and the north side of the Mitchell Center.

The Bell Tower and Alumni Plaza will include: a beautiful tower over 100 feet tall; a seating area for 142 people in a multi-purpose activity space under the tower; two arbors; Walls of Honor; and an alumni plaza with benches and walkways.

The $2.7 million project is based on raising $1.8 million dollars from alumni and University friends, with the University providing $900,000 in matching funds. The Association’s $200,000 commitment resulted in the naming of the plaza and plans are to break ground by year-end.

The Campaign is underway. There are naming opportunities for many of the architectural features. University faculty and staff, and University friends will have exclusive rights to have their name inscribed on the “Walls of Honor” through a Lifetime Association membership. For information contact Carol Kittrell in the Office of Alumni Relations, at (251) 460-7084.

USA National Alumni Association Board of Director members, Keith Ammons ’95 and Andy Denny ’72 & ’73 created some excitement with their incentive challenge to current and former Alumni Association board members. At the Association’s September 2006 board meeting, Ammons and Denny announced their challenge, offering $15,000 each as matching funds for scholarship endowments and Bell Tower naming opportunities.

Their $2,500 per-alumnus challenge was enthusiastically accepted. Within a matter of weeks, the funds were depleted. Three scholarship and book endowments were created. Two Walls of Honor, five benches and two columns were named using the matching funds. The Association appreciates the truly unselfish and generous commitment of these two alumni.

USA Bell Tower and Alumni Plaza will be located directly across from Alumni Hall and sit beside the Mitchell Center.

Don’t miss the chance to have your name listed on one of our Walls of Honor and build a lasting memory of your affinity for your alma mater. Only Association Lifetime Members will be eligible for this distinction. As a Lifetime Member not only will your name be forever “carved in stone” but you will help us continue our commitment to the recruitment of quality students and faculty, and provide the funds necessary to offer quality programs and services for our alumni.