A New Era for the Iconic UT Tower
Chairman Kevin P. Eltife and The University of Texas System Board of Regents are embarking on a bold new vision to keep the UT Tower shining brightly, providing the $26 million lead investment to restore and renovate The University of Texas at Austin’s most celebrated landmark. As a complement to the renovation, the investment will also support extensive landscaping and beautification efforts for areas such as the Main Mall and other surrounding grounds.
For nearly 100 years, generations of Longhorns have looked up to the Tower, an icon of the university’s excellence, purpose and spirit. This monumental project — the first major renovation in the Tower’s history — will restore the exterior to its original brilliance and update the observation deck and beloved carillon bells.
“In the 1930s the UT Tower was a bold statement about the enduring excellence of The University of Texas at Austin. Our board is deeply proud to support carrying that bold vision forward for generations to come,” Eltife said.
The university will rally all of Longhorn Nation to join the project and support the centerpiece of campus that has been the home for graduation ceremonies, family photos, athletics celebrations and historic milestones for hundreds of thousands of alumni, friends and Texans.
“The Tower stands on the very spot where our first learning community gathered, and it endures as a symbol for truth-seekers, academic excellence and achievement,” said President Jay Hartzell. “I am grateful to Chairman Eltife and the regents for their incredibly generous support. Their investment will enhance and preserve the Tower’s legacy and ensure that it shines even brighter for generations to come.”
What starts here starts with you.
Follow tower.utexas.edu and UT social media for updates on the campaign to restore and renovate our iconic UT Tower.
All archival materials courtesy the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History and the Alexander Architectural Archives, University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin. Materials from the Paul Phillipe Cret collection © H2L2. Special thanks to Nancy Sparrow, senior library specialist in the Alexander Architectural Archives, and Aryn Glazier, digitization specialist at the Briscoe Center.
