ACES Advancement

Sarah "Sally" McFarland Carillon Offers New Sights and Sounds on the ACES Quad

In memory of his late wife, Sarah “Sally” McFarland, Richard (Dick) McFarland, a 1952 College of ACES graduate and longtime member of the U of I Foundation Board of Directors, presented the gift of an 185-foot carillon located on the College of ACES south quad. Sally loved the arts, which inspired McFarland to create this tribute to her.

“The McFarland Bell Tower will become a landmark, destination, and gathering spot on the Urbana-Champaign campus,” said ACES Associate Dean Louise Rogers. “The carillon will be a special gathering place for alumni, visitors, and families to share special events and memories.”

McFarland had hoped that the carillon would be completed in time for the U of I Foundation Annual Meeting weekend in October 2008, giving fellow board members and campus visitors the opportunity to see his vision fulfilled. Although the construction timeframe was extended beyond the date of the annual meeting, a preview of the carillon was offered that weekend. Bernie Freeman, senior director of donor and campus relations for the University of Illinois Foundation said, “The preview allowed attendees to hear about Dick McFarland's love for his wife and his alma mater.”

The carillon has 49 bells that were cast in the Netherlands and are electronically programmed to play familiar songs and feature beloved University of Illinois tunes.

Now that the carillon is completed, preparatory landscape work will begin. An alumni team of landscape designers working on the project includes Rob Ebl '93, Robert Ebl, Inc.; Steve Fiore '76, Rocco Fiore & Sons; Lori Lyman '84, Lyman Group; Leo Kelly '80, Kelly Green Design; Scott McAdam ‘80, McAdam Landscaping; Greg Oltman ‘72, GroHort; Greg Pierceall '75, U of I professor; Jay Rients '95, Unilock; and non-alumni Dean Goodenough, Goodenough, Inc. and Jim Melka, Melka Landscaping. We thank each of them for their time and dedication to this project.

Most of the plant materials will be planted in the spring. The landscape team is working hard to preserve the natural environment surrounding the carillon and maintain a consistent look with campus. The memorial gardens surrounding the carillon will create a relaxing feel for all who visit the bell tower.

The formal dedication of the Sarah “Sally” McFarland Carillon will take place this year; however, an exact date has not yet determined.

Make a Gift to the McFarland Carillon gardens.

Read the article on page 8 of the spring 2009 issue of Postmarks.