×

About time: Groundbreaking held for new clock tower

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Michigan Technological University President Glenn Mroz, left, Ilene Bernard and William Bernard Jr. break ground for the Bernard Family Clock Tower on the campus of Michigan Technological University Thursday.

HOUGHTON — William Bernard Jr.’s father went to Michigan Technological University. So did four of his five siblings.

Growing up in Houghton, he would come to Engineering Week, where they let him make little license plates for his bicycles.

He eventually went himself, graduating in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering. Bernard, now CEO and chairman of Surface Combustion, Inc., returned to campus Friday for the groundbreaking of the Bernard Family Clock Tower, funded by a donation from him and his wife, Ilene.

“I’ve had the opportunity to travel almost everywhere in the world doing business,” he said. “Tech gave me a great foundation, that’s the reason.”

The clock will be located at the lawn circle between the Memorial Union Building and the R.L. Smith Building. A small digital clock outside the MUB is expected to continue operations.

The Bernards’ donation also covers an annual $4,000 scholarship. The inaugural recipient is Matthew Thomas, a junior from Jackson, studying materials science and engineering. He skipped Friday’s ceremony to attend class.

“Glad to hear it,” William Bernard said.

The Bernards were involved through the design process. The base will be Jacobsville sandstone. That will come from the remnants of the oldest building on campus, which was taken down when the former million-gallon central heating plant fuel tank was replaced with smaller tank.

They also insisted their tower come with a bell.

“It’ll be a ceremonial bell that can be used for sports victories, or maybe when someone makes a gift for the rest of Alumni Way,” Mroz said. 

That beautification project included the John Rovano Plaza and the Husky Statue Plaza, also funded through alumni donations.

“You’re helping other people believe we can do even more to keep on pushing this program along,” he said.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today