Clock Tower commemorates alum

BY ASHLEY ACOSTA
Feature Editor

More than 11 years ago, Saint Mary’s College alumnus and Saint Mary’s University Trustee Emeritus, Oscar Straub ’52 and his wife Mary Jane Straub, a 1952 graduate of the College of Saint Teresa, were searching for ways to visually improve the SMU campus while camouflaging the giant power plant smokestack located in the middle of campus.

The couple, both significant supporters of the SMU community with a great interest in art, decided the best way to accomplish this task was to construct a visually appealing structure around the smokestack.

On Oct. 1, 1999, the Oscar and Mary Jane Straub Millennium Clock Tower, located between Saint Mary’s Hall and the plaza, was officially introduced to the SMU campus at a special dedication ceremony under then president of the university, Brother Louis DeThomasis.

“It (the clock tower) is something unique about our campus,” said senior Erin Roden. “It is a part of our school and not only looks nice but is also useful.”

Despite its unique appearance, the clock tower still follows the traditional grandfather clock chimes at every quarter, half and hour. The tower also is programmed to play a number of different hymns including “Ave Maria” and “Immaculate Mary.” In addition, each year the tower also plays “Pomp and Circumstance” on Commencement Day.

Although the structure was originally a gift to improve the campus appearance, the university felt it was appropriate to use the tower as a way to commemorate the Straubs for their years of dedication and support to the SMU community.

The university dedicated the courtyard surrounding the clock tower to the Straubs and honored their service to the SMU community with a dedication plaque located at the base of the tower.

“He (Oscar) and his wife were very dedicated to SMU,” said Dr. Mary Fox, former vice president of university relations and current professor Interdisciplinary Studies. “Because of their goodness and great generosity, we have this highly-unusual smoking clock tower.”

Unfortunately, this past January Oscar passed away, but his many years of dedication and service to the university will continue to live on as part of the SMU campus.