Standing 80 feet tall, the Maastricht Friendship Tower in Selmo Park has been the site of many graduation photos and a place for relaxation or study. While the tower is featured in numerous holiday cards and postcards by the University of Central Missouri, there is very little information on the internet about this integral landmark of UCM, aside from a blog post made in 2018 sharing hotspots for graduation photos.
According to the winter 1997 issue of Alumni Today, the alumni magazine of the University of Central Missouri, the money for the tower was donated by Benoit Wesly, businessman and close friend of UCM President Ed Elliot and his wife, Sandra Sue Temple Elliot. The gift represented goodwill between Wesly’s hometown in the Netherlands, called Maastricht, and UCM. Wesly held higher education in high esteem and considered it to be something that all people should strive for, according to Alumni Today.
“The whole idea of it started was just because of the friendship between those two gentlemen. So when it was built, it became more so, we’re trying to encourage and expand and show UCM like, ‘Hey, we are friendly. We are accepting of everyone and, you know, bring in everyone from around the US and past other countries’,” said Paige Shinn, Annual Giving Coordinator.
Bearing the inscription, “Who is wise? He who learns from every person.” in multiple languages, the Friendship Tower quotes the Mishnah, a Jewish religious text. This is an homage to Wesly, who is Jewish, and a reminder to those seeking an education at UCM.
“So I think that part of the reason for ‘He who is wise’ is to help guide students in making a wise decision when you come here to UCM,” said Shinn.
According to the same article in Alumni Today, the tower’s composition was meant to match that of the surrounding buildings on campus. Sandstone was used for the base of the tower, followed by a pre-cast concrete tower shaft, steel and then a roof composed of copper. The design itself is in the style of a campanile, or bell tower.
“Growing up here on campus, my mom used to sit in an office just like this, and so coming to work, I have to just look across the street and see the tower over there,” said Ethan Thompson, freshman. “It’s really nice just to hear the chimes after class. You’re walking into late night and you’re just here, the chime’s really peaceful. So it brings peace of mind to me.”
For more information about the history of UCM and its buildings, see the McClure Archives at the JCKL.
