Stamped!

Science with Practice

Iowa State University

The Campanile, built in 1897 and 1898, holds the Stanton Memorial Carillon. It appears on the university's official ring and mace and is the subject of the alma mater, "The Bells of Iowa State."

  • 4Buildings
  • 3Traditions
  • 1883Oldest · Laboratory of Mechanics
  • 1906Newest · Beardshear Hall

Planning the visit

  • Fly intoDes Moines International Airport (DSM)

    Des Moines International, south of Ames, is the main airport for central Iowa.

  • Getting aroundWalking / CyRide

    Central Campus is walkable. CyRide buses, run by the city, the university and student government, cover campus and all of Ames.

  • Colors and teams

    The school colors are cardinal and gold, and the teams are the Cyclones.

4 buildings to stamp

  1. Campanile
    Photo: Cburnett, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Campanile

    Central Campus, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

    George E. Hallett designed this free-standing brick bell tower, built in 1897 to 1898, with Venetian Gothic towers as its model. It holds the Stanton Memorial Carillon and is a symbol of the university.

    Built
    1898
    Architect
    George E. Hallett
    Style
    Venetian Gothic
    Today
    Carillon Tower

  2. Beardshear Hall

    Morrill Rd, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

    Proudfoot & Bird designed this Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts administration building, finished in 1906. It holds the offices of the president and the provost.

    Built
    1906
    Architect
    Proudfoot & Bird
    Style
    Neoclassical / Beaux-Arts
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Administration Building
  3. Morrill Hall
    Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Morrill Hall

    Morrill Rd, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

    Completed in 1891 as the library, museum and chapel, uses still carved in its east stonework. Closed as unsafe in 1996, the Romanesque building reopened in 2007 as the Christian Petersen Art Museum.

    Built
    1891
    Architect
    Josselyn & Taylor
    Style
    Romanesque
    Today
    Christian Petersen Art Museum
  4. Laboratory of Mechanics
    Photo: Johannes Cater--Jaretac (talk) 15:24, 17 June 2009 (UTC), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Laboratory of Mechanics

    Union Dr, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

    Built in 1883 as Engineering Hall, this two-story brick building is a simple version of the Second Empire style, with a mansard-roofed tower at its entrance.

    Built
    1883
    Architect
    J. B. Ballinger; Foster & Liebbe
    Style
    Second Empire
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Academic Building

3 traditions to check off

Stamped! keeps these as a checklist, so you can tick each one off on the visit.

  • Don't Step on the Zodiac

    A bronze zodiac is set in the floor of Gold Star Hall in the Memorial Union. Legend says stepping on it means failing your next exam, so walk around it like generations of students.

  • Campaniling

    Tradition says you become a true Iowa Stater when you are kissed under the Campanile at midnight, and hundreds gather for "Mass Campaniling" at Homecoming. Visit the Campanile and listen for its bells.

  • Lake LaVerne

    Swans first came to Lake LaVerne in 1935 and were named Lancelot and Elaine. Legend says couples who walk silently around the lake three times are meant to be together.

Know Iowa State University well?

Students and alumni know the traditions best. Suggest one we're missing, a building worth a stamp, or a fix. Every suggestion is checked against a source before it goes into the app.

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Stamp all 4 on your visit.

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