Things we love about Illinois: Altgeld Tower Chimes

(Photo courtesy of L. Brian Stauffer/UI Archives)

Chime Time

From George Gershwin to classical divertimentos to Lady GaGa’s “Bad Romance,” Altgeld Tower Chimes Master Sue Wood has been striking all the right notes since 1971. While 12:50 to 1:00 p.m. is show time for Wood, a retired environmental chemist, she has been known to strike the wooden levers that activate the chimes during other class passing periods or on special occasions such as Quad Day and Commencement. She works with only the best. A gift from the Classes of 1914-21—to the U.S. School of Military Aeronautics, the chimes originally arrived as a set of 13, with two more added later to create the range required to ring “Illinois Loyalty.” Perfection.

Did we miss one? For more in this series, search “Things we love about Illinois.”