[1][2] It was designed by George Kuska Jr. when he was still a student at the university,[1] and he later became a professional architect in central California.

[6] They included Chancellor R. G. Gustavson and President Harold S. Wilson as well as Professor Lynus Burr Smith, who was the head of the department of Architecture, and Arthur Lynds Bigelow, "one of the world's greatest carillonneurs.

"[1] Other attendees included Deane Waldo Malott, then the president of the University of Kansas, George Kuska Jr., the architect, as well as Mr Mueller and members of his family.

[6] The bell tower was cordoned off in 2006 as the limestone began collapsing, and the university lacked funding to restore it.

[9] As late as 1985, a student played the keyboard prior to football games in the octagonal room inside the tower.