The view from above: Back to College attendees tour Century Tower

Author: Unknown Publication Date: Wednesday March 09, 2011

Nancy Patterson had her strategy all planned out.

"Walk 25 steps. Take a rest. Have a sip of water. Walk the next 25 steps," she said.

Jack Haskins (BEE '59) said he wasn't too worried, himself. He's climbed the equivalent of 31 stories on his Stairmaster.

"I've been training for a month," he joked with friends.

Were they preparing for some kind of odd, vertical marathon? Not exactly. But when a rare chance to tour the inside of Century Tower comes, any Gator would be hard-pressed to pass it up.

"I may not make it, but I may never get the chance again," said Jean Koivu (BDAE '60) as she prepared to embark on the 11-story climb.

Patterson, Haskins and Koivu were among the throng of UF alumni members who chose to climb Century Tower as part of their 2011 Back to College reunion experience. Led by carillonneur Laura Ellis, an associate professor in the School of Music, the attendees ascended a winding metal staircase - enclosed by bare brick walls and punctuated by dark, unfinished, empty rooms on each floor - until they reached the carillon’s keyboard, known as a clavier. In the small room, which is located within the concrete band just below Century Tower's arches, Ellis explained how the keyboard was attached to the bells and gave a short demonstration.

Then, for those who dared, one last short climb revealed the view of UF from the bell tower.

"I enjoyed the walk so much, I think I'm going to give up elevators completely," Haskins quipped after the tour. "It was absolutely marvelous. I got some great pictures and some even greater memories."

See more about Laura Ellis' tours of Century Tower and the Andrew Anderson Memorial Organ
Read what attendees learned during Back to College