November 17, 2021
'Listen and You Can Hear The Call': The story of Bluemont Bell
The journey of "Listen and You Can Hear the Call" began as an idea, brought to life by Nancy Hause and Dean of the College of Education Debbie Mercer. Their idea blossomed into more with the help of Cindy Kuhn, the college's education technology integration coordinator and art education professor. Kuhn and her young art education students turned the story of the Bluemont Bell into an illustrated book.
"This has been a super exciting project," Kuhn said. "The students in my EDEL 270 Art for Elementary Teachers class all submitted a piece of artwork for selection in the book. These students are all going to be elementary teachers, but they are not art majors. I gave them the story of the bell and photographs of the bell and told them to create something to go along with the story. They created about 150 pieces total. We also included two pages of artwork from area children in Alicia Stott's classes. I am so proud to have been a part of this impactful project and the book is just amazing. I love the idea that our students will receive a copy at graduation when they ring the bell."
"Listen and You Can Hear the Call, the Journey of Kansas State University's Bluemont Bell" was written by Hause, a 1982 K-State alumna. Hause pens the story of the Bluemont Bell and the impact it continues to have so many years after its first ringing in 1863. The historic bell can now be found in front of Bluemont Hall in the Holen Courtyard. The book takes you on the journey from a piece of metal being transformed into a bell through the written word and unique pieces of art.
"Everything about this project has been uplifting and inspiring," Mercer said. "I am delighted that we were able to work with Nancy Hause to document the story of the Bluemont Bell. Her passion for K-State and her dedication to the K-State College of Education is evident through this narrative that also preserves her late husband's incredible legacy. The illustrations by our education students make the story of an iconic educational symbol uniquely K-State."
The students helped make history come to life through their original illustrations of the Bluemont Bell. The bell is very special to College of Education students. It is rung as a welcome when they start at the college and then rings again at their commencement. Now, through the book, everyone can all hear the call and learn about the history of the bell.
All profits from the sale of the book will benefit students in the College of Education. The price of the book is $10. To order, mail checks, payable to the KSU Foundation, along with your shipping address to Pam Monroe, Dean of Education's Office, 1114 Mid-Campus Drive, 6 Bluemont Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506. Books can also be purchased in the dean's office, 6 Bluemont Hall.