What Is the UAlbany Carillon? The Story Behind a Campus Landmark

ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 5, 2026) — Every hour, on the hour, chimes echo throughout the University at Albany campus.

The source of this noise, as most students are aware, is the large tower in the center of the Academic Podium, often referred to as the Carillon, which stands 250 feet above the ground. But do you know what this tower is actually used for?

A large tower on the UAlbany campus is pictured on a sunny day — Photo by Brian Busher

It was built in 1965 and designed by Edward Durell Stone, the architect responsible for the entire modern Uptown Campus. Ever heard the tale that our campus was designed for Arizona? It’s not true. Stone designed the Uptown Campus from scratch for Albany.

Stone’s flat design lets wind travel through the pillars we know and love, keeping students cool in summer. The tunnels, which were originally designed and are still used for service, help to keep students warm in the winter.

At the same time the quads were built, so was the podium where most undergraduate students have class. Right in the middle of the podium stands the 250-foot tower. Most students know it purely because it makes noise every hour; that's what I thought of it, too.

But did you know that it's actually a water tower? Yeah, I had no idea either. All of the water used by students on the Uptown Campus comes from a 311,000-gallon water tank hiding inside the tower. That's why it's so tall. Not only is there a great view from the top, but it's what gives the whole campus its water pressure.

It even won Tank of the Year from the Steel Plate Fabricators Association in 1968. Yes, that’s a real award.

How Does Damien Get Up There?

If you've looked at the UAlbany Instagram page, you've likely seen different posts where our school mascot, Damien, is posing on top of the Carillon. I, along with so many people I know, have wondered how he got up there. Was it by helicopter? Did he parachute down from a plane? Did he spin his tail around fast enough to lift him off the ground?

None of those, actually. Damien gets up there via a ladder inside the center of the Carillon. Technically, anyone can climb it, but only authorized people are allowed to. I would know.

Damien lays at the top of the Carilion with his legs crossed. — Inside the Carillon is a 311,000-gallon water tank that provides water volume and pressure for the Uptown Campus. (Photo by Patrick Dodson)

The climb to the top takes about 30 minutes and once you get to the top, you're treated to a beautiful view of the landscape, mostly the Uptown Campus, but the surrounding area too. So not only is this giant tower filled with water for the students and faculty, there's a ladder inside that takes you straight to the top. Pretty cool!

The Bells Chimed Again

At the top of the water tower is the Carillon itself, a gift donated by alumni in 1964. Construction was completed in 1965. That's what you hear chime on the half-hour and the hour every day. The bells aren't in the water tower itself, they're in the 23-foot cap on top, which also happens to make the tower look like a cigarette.

It's called the Carillon because the instrument used to create those bell sounds is a Symphonic Carillon. It's controlled through a keyboard called the baton console in the Lecture Center.

collage of four photos including hands on a keyboard, bells, a console and speakers — Professor Duncan J. Cumming tests out the UAlbany Carillon on March 14, 2024. (Photos by Patrick Dodson)

If you live in Stuyvesant Tower on Dutch Quad, you'll be interested to hear that the Carillon was actually first installed on top of your building. Imagine just how loud it would be if you lived there! Thankfully, it was moved to the top of the water tower a few years later, making the sound more centralized on campus.

There have been several repairs and renovations over the years to keep the Carillon, and the water tower beneath it, in perfect shape so it can continue playing its lovely sounds every single day.