THROWBACK: The Man Behind the Hardy Memorial Tower Bells

Terry O'Donnell — Terry O’Donnell is at home in his SDSU workspace after more than 50 years as the university carillonneur. Photograph by Scott Hargrove

For most every San Diego State student since 1947, the bells have been a soundtrack to their time on Montezuma Mesa.

By Seth Mallios

TERRY O’DONNELL (’68) goes to great lengths to avoid talking about himself. Instead, he turns the conversation to the iconic bells of the beloved Hardy Memorial Tower carillon he has played for more than half a century, the Master of Fine Arts Musical Theater Program he cofounded or the 1963 San Diego State graduation ceremony. O’Donnell, as a member of the commencement band, happened to be seated with his bassoon a mere 20 yards from John F. Kennedy, the speaker and then U.S. president.

Terry O'Donnell, as a Marching Aztecs drum major — Pictured in the 1965 Del Sudoeste yearbook, O’Donnell was the Marching Aztecs drum major. Photo courtesy of San Diego State University Special Collections & University Archives

A deep dive into the university archives reveals O’Donnell’s star status on the undefeated 1963 freshman State College champion track team (19-year-old O’Donnell’s specialties were the 100- and 220-yard dash, and 440 relay) and his ubiquitous involvement in nearly all things San Diego State as a double alumnus, faculty member and university philanthropist. He served as the Marching Aztecs drum major, Marching Aztecs director, director of the University Symphony and professor of music and theatre, among other roles.

O’Donnell’s encyclopedic knowledge of SDSU’s Fletcher Symphonic Carillon is unrivaled; he can recall everything about the evolution of the installation from 24 amplified chimes in 1947 into the complete 204-bell carillon system comprised of 21 Whittington hour-strike/peal/changering bells, 98 English bells, 49 Flemish bells, 12 upper-minor bells and 24 Bourdon bells.

There are 170 songs in the carillon library, and many are musical dedications to SDSU pillars, including Barbara Hartung, executive assistant to two SDSU presidents; Sally Roush, SDSU president emerita; Stephen Weber, SDSU president emeritus; and the family of alumnus David Wheeler.

O’Donnell’s reverence for past Aztecs is matched by his dedication to the future. When he and professor emeritus Carey Wall donated $2.4 million to San Diego State’s Musical Theatre program in 2012, they ensured through their gift that the training of these graduate students for careers as performers, directors, choreographers and educators would continue to grow and attract students in years to come. The Fletcher family and many SDSU affiliated organizations and individuals have supported the tower bells as well.

Though retired, O’Donnell, the self-proclaimed “bell freak,” is still regularly on campus, and his musical compositions serenade Montezuma Mesa throughout the day, as they have for decades.