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For Whom the Bell Tolls
This year, the Class of 2007 introduced a new
tradition to the University’s Commencement Ceremonies, the ringing of the
University Victory Bell. The bell was rung five times at the beginning of the
ceremony in honor of the University and its four predecessor colleges and
heralded the entrance of the seniors onto the University Quadrangle. At the
conclusion of the exercises the bell tolled 29 times in honor of the 29 members
of the Class of 1929, the University’s first graduating class. The bell was rung
by Devon Sanchez-Ossorio and Jason Jackson, who will graduate in December. The
bell was a gift of alumna Rickie B. Lowe, Class of 1982.
At the opening of the ceremony on
May 12, as the bell was rung five times, the audience heard, "Gong, Gong, Gong,
Clunk, Clunk." What happened? After nearly 100 years, the bell decided
that May 12 was its final day and it developed a very, very small hairline
crack. Whether the size of the crevasse in the Liberty Bell or a simply a tiny
hairline, once a bell is cracked it looses its resonance. HOWEVER, this was at
the opening of the ceremony. The bell was still supposed to be rung 29
times at the close of the ceremony. Being resourceful UNC Asheville students,
Devon and Jason began a mad hunt around campus for a bell and actually found a
good substitute. Since the substitute was not a giant bell that could be
heard across the quad, the idea was to keep it back stage and put a
microphone to it. The debate, however, was whether or not to fake the
ringing the University Victory Bell. The hope was that folks would be too
busy getting ready to recess to notice. After about the 12th ring,
however, the Class of 2007 began to notice that there was no one ringing the
bell but that a bell could definitely be heard! A collective "Huh?" was followed
by a good chuckle. In the end, a university bell was rang 29 times. It,
however, was not the University Victory Bell. Thanks to Devon and Jason,
however, for their resourcefulness.
A new bell will be introduced next year.
As you know, the best traditions
have great stories behind them. Most of the time these stories "stray"
from the facts a bit. The above story is truly what happened. If,
however, you have a suggestion as to how to enhance the story, please send it to
the Alumni Office at
alumni@unca.edu.
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