“The Founding” Celebration Old Main Bell Ringing Ceremony
Thursday, February 20, 2025 , 10:00 am – 11:00 am CST
Individuals are being sought to ring the replica Old Main Bell with President Aondover Tarhule as a part of the 168th Founding Celebration on Thursday, February 20, 2025. The bell ringing ceremony has become one of the most prestigious honors for the University community.
Nominate a bell ringer here.
The deadline for nominations is Monday, January 27, 2025.
Individuals may nominate bell ringers from campus constituent groups: Students, faculty, A/P, Civil Service, retirees, and alumni. The Founders Bell Ringing Committee will select participants from the nominations received.
The bell ringing ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 20, 2025, in the Prairie Room of the Bone Student Center. Those selected and who are able to participate will receive a commemorative gift.
*Please note, individuals who have previously participated in this ceremony are not eligible. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Staff must have one or more years of service at ISU to be considered as a bell ringer.
The ceremony will be open to the public.
If you need a special accommodation to fully participate in this event, please contact Presidential and Trustee Events at (309) 438-8790 or UniversityEvents@IllinoisState.edu. Please allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.
The original Old Main Bell, located on the Illinois State University Quad, is one of the oldest pieces of university history that can be found on the campus. The bell was removed from Old Main, the first building built on the campus of what was then called Illinois State Normal University. Old Main was demolished in 1958; however, the bell has long remained a symbol of daily life to not only the campus, but also the surrounding community. Originally, it announced the time. In later years, the bell was rung for special occasions.
Today, ringing the replica Old Main Bell during the Founding Celebration provides the campus an opportunity to remember its rich heritage as the oldest public university in the state of Illinois. The still-rich tone that resonates from the bell is a tribute to the thousands of alumni, faculty, staff, and students who have made Illinois State University a leader in higher education and a hope for those who will follow in their footsteps, doing their part to continue to advance this grandest of enterprises.
