UACCM Breaks Ground on Commemorative Clock Tower

 

The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM) broke ground on a new commemorative clock tower for the campus.

The clock tower will stand tall on the west campus between the University Center and Student Union. The tower will be 45-feet-tall, making it visible not only throughout campus, but also from many parts of the city and I-40. 

The base of the tower includes three steps with the institution’s previous names etched in the steps, including Petit Jean Vo-Tech, Petit Jean Technical College, and Petit Jean College. The college’s current name, the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, will be displayed near the top of the tower. The top of the tower was designed to reflect and complement the design of the University Center and Library Complex. 

The area around the base will include brick pavers with a short inscription selected by donors etched into each brick. Cornerstone plaques of various sizes of brick pavers are also available for naming opportunities. Individuals and businesses may purchase a paver soon. 

The project is being developed by Ken Amburgy of SCM Architects and is funded in part by the UACCM Foundation and will become a proud symbol of the institution’s rich history and bright future. The UACCM Foundation has raised private donations through a series of fundraising drives and events throughout the past decade. 

The commemorative clock tower initiative was first created in 2011 as part of the college’s then approaching 50-year celebration. UACCM drafting students Julianne Razo and Jason Scruggs created potential designs in 2011, and the two students’ designs were selected by a campus-wide vote. The initial design sketches by the two UACCM drafting students were used to inspire the architect’s initial renderings of the tower.