9-12-01
SMITH
FAMILY ADDS PIPE ORGAN
TO NEW CHAPEL AT PENN STATE BEHREND
Worship services at the Larry and Kathryn Smith
Chapel now under construction at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College,
will include the sound of a pipe organ, thanks to the generosity of
Larry and Kathryn Smith, donors of the multi-faith chapel. The couple
recently agreed to purchase the organ in honor of their children, Kevin
and Colleen.
"I am exceedingly grateful to Larry and Kathryn Smith, who have
demonstrated their commitment to Penn State Behrend and its students
time and time again," said Dr. Jack Burke, interim provost and dean.
"They understand the importance of spiritual growth, and they have
directed their resources to make sure that Behrend students have those
opportunities."
The organ will be built by the Martin Ott Pipe Organ Company of St.
Louis, Missouri, a company representing three generations of organ
builders. With a design specific to the construction of the chapel, the
organ will have twenty-three rows of pipes and twenty-one stops, or
types of sound, available. The organ case, with mortise and tenon
construction, will be oak. Most of the 1,208 pipes will be built by a
German pipemaker, but the wind reservoir and the toe studs will be built
by Organ Supply Industries in Erie. The organ will be completed in June
2003.
In 1998, Larry Smith, owner of Automation Devices, Inc., and his wife,
Kathryn, provided funds to build the bell tower and multi-faith chapel
at Penn State Behrend. The pledge included use of funds from an
unrestricted gift made by Larry's late parents, Floyd and Juanita
Smith, over a decade ago. The decision to include a bell tower and
forty-eight-bell carillon in the construction resulted from a comment by
the late Floyd Smith when he visited Behrend fifteen years ago.
"Every university needs a bell tower, " he said. "Behrend needs a
bell tower." So Floyd and Juanita Smith's unrestricted gift was used
to fund the bell tower.
In May, 2001 the Larry and Kathryn Smith visited Meeks and Watson, a
foundry in Georgetown, Ohio, to see the bells for the carillon being
cast. The carillon, which is expected to be in operation in the summer
of 2002, will be one of fewer than 100 nationwide with forty-eight or
more bells. The largest bell will weigh in excess of 1.3 tons.
The program statement called for the chapel's design to "inspire
reverence, awe, contemplation, and peace." With more than thirty
religious traditions represented at the college, the chapel is designed
to serve students of all faiths.
"Students are making lots of critical decisions in college," said
Kathryn Smith, "and many of them will benefit from having this
inspirational place to receive support and guidance."
The chapel, except for the carillon and organ, is nearing completion.
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Contact: Loretta Brandon
(814) 898-6063 (O)
(814) 864-9922 (H)
e-mail: lzb6@psu.edu