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Office of the Chancellor

Belltower Celebrations

The famous NC State belltower lit red by night in celebration.

Since its completion in 1937, the Memorial Belltower has stood as a symbol of identity for NC State University, a timekeeper for tradition and a perpetual memorial to NC State students who gave their lives in defense of their country. As well as a memorial, the Belltower is a rallying point for students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the university community.

The Belltower is lighted for holidays that honor our veterans, such as Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day, and to celebrate NC State’s proudest occasions and achievements.

Academic Year 2024 – 2025

8/24: Packapalooza

10/7: In recognition of Jay Baliga, Progress Energy Distinguished University Professor, receiving the Millennium Technology Prize

10/19: Football: NC State (24) vs. California (23)

11/2: Football: NC State (59) vs. Stanford (28)

11/11: Veterans’ Day

11/30: Football: NC State (35) vs. UNC Chapel Hill (30)

December 2024

12/7: Men’s Basketball: NC State (84) vs. Florida State (74)

12/14: Fall Commencement

12/15: Women’s Basketball: NC State (72) vs. Louisville (42)

The Belltower will also be lighted for events celebrated by the campus community:

  • Spring and fall commencements
  • Welcome Week finale — Packapalooza
  • Celebration of faculty excellence
  • Recognizing the founding of NC State University
  • Induction of a member of the NC State faculty into the National Academies
  • The awarding of a Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, National Medal or Presidential Early Career Award for Science and Engineering
  • The awarding of a North Carolina Award or Governor’s Award for Excellence
  • The awarding of the Oliver Max Gardner Award
  • The awarding of the Board of Governors’ Award for Excellence in Teaching
  • The awarding of the Governor James E. Holshouser, Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service
  • The selection for a Churchill, Clarendon, Gates Cambridge, Goldwater, Knight-Hennessy, Madison, Marshall, Mitchell, Rhodes, Harry S. Truman or Udall scholarship
  • The inauguration of the president of the University of North Carolina System or installation of the chancellor of NC State University
  • Atlantic Coast Conference victories at any home or away football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball or baseball (series win) games
  • Select postseason victories for football, NCAA basketball tournament win (Sweet 16 or higher) or baseball (e.g., football bowl win, basketball Sweet 16, baseball super regional win or higher)
  • ACC championships for any team sport
  • National championships for any team or individual sport
  • Other celebrations or accomplishments – determined at the discretion of the chancellor
Previous celebrations

Requests for additional events will be considered by the chancellor and the university’s executive officers. Send requests via email to Maggie Thompson at mgthomps@ncsu.edu.