Beaumont Tower (1928), designed by the architectural firm of Donaldson and Meier, is a structure on the campus of Michigan State University. The 104-foot-tall (32 m) tower marks the site of College Hall, the first building in America erected for instruction in scientific agriculture.
During its dedication ceremony the president of the college described Beaumont Tower as "a meeting or trysting place of the students, student groups or organizations, the center of all the activities of this institution."
The tower is also the meeting place for the executive board of the Michigan State University Tower Guard. The Tower Guard is MSU’s oldest and one of the most respected student organizations on campus. Tower Guard, founded in 1934 by May Shaw, the wife of former MSU president Robert Shaw, was originally a female honor society that was a service oriented organization which would help to serve the needs of visually impaired students at Michigan State University. In 1977, membership was opened to the outstanding young men on campus in addition to women. Each year, the top sophomores are chosen to carry on the tradition based on their academic excellence, leadership, outstanding character, and commitment to service.
The tower features The Sower, an Art Deco bas-relief by sculptor Lee Lawrie (1922), with its inscription, "Whatsoever a Man Soweth" (from Galatians 6:7). This serves as a tribute both to MSU's origins as an agricultural college and to the seminal nature of knowledge.
Beaumont also houses a full carillon, with 49 bells. Free concerts on the lawn are available in the summer. Beaumont Tower is one of the most recognizable and most photographed landmarks on the MSU campus. Its likeness as a line drawing is used on MSU letterhead.
The northeast finial is higher than the other three. The missing finials represent the need for higher education.
The most popular traditions surrounding Beaumont Tower involve kissing, either in the shadow of the tower during the day, or at midnight in the Beaumont courtyard, to prove one is a "true Spartan." It is said that a Spartan is destined to marry a sweetheart if they kiss under Beaumont Tower.
Famous quotes containing the words beaumont and/or tower:
“Lay a garland on my hearse,
Of the dismal yew;
Maidens, willow branches bear;
Say I died true.”
—Francis Beaumont (1584-1616)
“Thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.”
—Bible: Hebrew Song of Solomon, 7:4.