By Brooke Berry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Victory Bell Tower means many things for students, faculty, staff, and alumni. For many, it serves as a source of superstition that is part of Newberry’s history. The bell is also fondly acknowledged and remembered as commemorating special occasions, both on campus and in the wider world.
The bell has been part of campus since 1895, with its cast being done in Baltimore in 1894. For a time, the bell was sounded at the beginning and end of class periods and to announce mealtimes and chapel services. The tower that now houses the bell was gifted by the graduating class of 2000.
The bell came to be known as the Victory Bell when it sounded in 1918 to commemorate the end of World War I. In 2018, the bell rang again to mark the 100th anniversary of the war’s end. This occasion is known as Armistice Day (Veteran’s Day in the U.S.) is a time of celebration and remembrance. Many people observe a period of silence to remember the lives lost. Many also wear red poppies, inspired by the actions of women who were part of the war effort and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Field,” in which the following scene is painted: “In Flanders field the poppies blow / between the crosses, row on row” and “The larks, still bravely singing, fly / Scarce heard amid the guns below.”
The bell also sounded to mark the football team’s wins, both at home and on the road. However, the bell was silent for a time. In 1976, concerns were raised that its location in Keller Hall’s belfry was problematic, as there were fears that it could cause a collapse. The community and state came together to get the bell functional again. The City of Newberry sent assistance in retrieving the bell, which was professionally cleaned and protected by a tent provided by the South Carolina National Guard. Local police officers stood guard over the bell. Dr. Setzler, the president at the time and whose father oversaw the bell’s removal, felt that his “‘family honor [had] at last been restored’” due to his reliance on community.
The superstition around the Victory Bell Tower has to do with graduating on time. It is believed that walking beneath the bell will cause a student to take more than 4 years to graduate. Regardless of its validity, its impact is felt on campus. Very rarely, if ever, are students spotted walking under the bell. I, the writer of this piece, am a Newberry alumnus and am now a staff member. I still will not walk under the bell. The same sentiment is shared by other alumni who are now staff and alumni in general. 398 responding alumni stated that they have never walked under the bell. A co-worker of mine is not a fan of superstitions, so she does walk under the bell. According to a poll of Newberry students, most students do not walk under the bell, with 169 students saying that they have never done so. Some students are daring, with one student saying that he and his friends had a
dance party under the bell. It is worth noting that it has taken these students extra time to graduate. A favorite graduation day activity is finally getting to take that much-treasured photo under the bell.
The bell also serves as a symbol of the resilience of the campus community. In 2021, a new dedication was added to the bell, commemorating the strength of the college during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campus community was able to adjust to virtual learning and activities, allowing the college to continue to thrive.
The bell tower is a landmark on campus, celebrating who we are as a community. It reminds the college that we can do anything if we work together. It also serves as a source of fun because of the superstition around it. The bell brings everyone together, students, faculty, staff, and alumni alike.
Resources
*** Special thanks to Dr. Tracy Power for his assistance in supplying resources and photos.*** Armistice Day | Meaning, 1918, & World War I | Britannica
Dimensions V20, N1, Oct 1986, P35, “Tradition Returns, Victory Bell Rings Again” - C:\Users\Brooke Berry\Downloads\DIMENSIONS V20 N1, Oct 1986, P35, Tradition Returns, Victory Bell Rings Again.jpg Fun facts about Newberry College - College Aftermath Newberry College rings the school's victory bell to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, 1918. | By Newberry College | Facebook Newberry Observer – May 3rd, 2000 - C:\Users\Brooke Berry\Downloads\NEWBERRY OBSERVER, May 3, 2000.png The Indian – V19, N8, Jan 16, 1947, 2, Editorial, “The Bell is Lonely” - C:\Users\Brooke Berry\Downloads\THE INDIAN V19 N8, Jan 16, 1947, 2, Editorial, The Bell Is Lonely.jpg The WWI Origins of the Poppy as a Remembrance Symbol | HISTORY Veterans Day And Armistice Day Celebrations Around the World | Mental Floss
