A stunning addition has been made to campus—just in time for the 2010 Homecoming Weekend.
After several days of preparing a site and a few hours of installation on Wednesday morning (Oct. 20, 2010), a beautiful clock honoring the Phi Beta Kappa Gamma chapter of Ohio sits in one of the most prominent spaces on campus—The Christy Mall.
A dedication ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30.
“Phi Beta Kappa has had a meaningful and lasting presence on Marietta College’s campus for 150 years now,” says Dr. Jean A. Scott, President. “It was exciting to watch as the Phi Beta Kappa clock was installed and in such a prominent place on campus. As a member of the honorary society myself, I am proud that the clock reminds the campus of the importance of academic excellence—the hallmark of PBK—to the Long Blue Line.”
This year, the College celebrates 150 years of having the honorary society on campus. Marietta has the 16th oldest chapter in the nation. A fundraising effort began this summer to add the clock to campus.
With the fundraising complete, the College purchased the standing timepiece through the Electric Time Company. The company, based in Medfield, Mass., manufactures a variety of types of clocks and built the tower clock at Ohio University that honors the Lambda of Ohio chapter.
“The newly erected clock serves a lasting visual reminder of the significant role Phi Beta Kappa has played and will continue to play in the life of Marietta College,” says Lori Lewis, Vice President for Advancement. “Without the many generous donations of alumni and friends, adding this special clock to the center of campus would not have been possible.”
Fred Smith, Director of Physical Plant, says Silverheels, Inc. and Smith Concrete placed the clock foundation and erected the clock. “Marietta College electrician Greg Schaad ran the power and will make final connections this week,” he says. “The clock is cast aluminum and weighs almost 600 pounds.”
A global positioning system satellite receiver is mounted at the top of the clock head, Smith says. This will allow the clock to be synchronized with the National Bureau Standard Atomic Clock, keeping its time accurate to one microsecond.
Part of the inscription on the northwest side of the clock includes the inscription: “The love of wisdom is the guide of life,” and the southeast facing side is inscribed “Phi Beta Kappa—Gamma of Ohio—1860.”
“The clock is intended to provide a striking, tangible and enduring reminder of the central importance of academic excellence in the history and future of Marietta College,” says Emeritus Physics Professor Whit Hancock, who is a member of the society and was one of the lead donors for the clock project. “It is a fitting contribution to the celebration in 2010 of both the 150th anniversary of the Gamma of Ohio chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and the 175th anniversary of Marietta College. We appreciate the contributions of the many people involved in this project and their successful effort to complete it in time for Homecoming 2010.”
GI SMITH