Building Legacies
Cook Carillon Tower
A campus icon, the 10-story brick and stone tower is named in honor of its major donors, Peter C. and Pat Cook of Grand Rapids. Peter and Emmajean, known as Pat, grew up, married and raised their family in Grand Rapids. Pat passed away in 2008 at the age of 93. Peter Cook passed away November 28, 2010. The Cook Carollon Tower is just one of the many buildings and landmarks to which the Cooks donated.
The Cook Carillon Tower is a 10-story brick and stone tower. Mr. and Mrs. Peter C. Cook donated the funds for the 48 bronze bells, cast by the Royal Eijsbouts Bellfounders and the Tower-clock makers in the Netherlands. The bells range from 7.5 inches to 51.7 inches in diameter and are connected by cables to a keyboard in the chamber below. The piano keyboard is played by striking the keys with the side of the hand. The carillon chimes every quarter hour with a computerized system, but is often played during events and concerts. The carillon tower was completed in 1994 and is an impressive focal point on the Allendale campus.
The carillon prompted the creation of the Cook Carillon International Concert Series held during the summer months.Concerts are hosted at the Cook Carillon Plaza (Allendale) and also at the Lacks International Plaza on the Pew Campus (Grand Rapids).
Page last modified May 7, 2013
