The clock tower was built in 1991 as a part of George Fox College’s centennial celebration. The project was funded entirely by Esther Klages, who was initially hesitant about the project because she felt it was a frivolous use of her donation. One morning, however, she awoke to see a dazzling sunlight, and thought, “The Lord likes beauty too.” After this event, she was convinced to fund the project. The clock tower was designed by world-renowned architect Pietro Belluschi, who agreed to take on the project at the age of 90 despite the fact that he was retired. Belluschi had worked on the campus previously in 1977 when he designed the Wheeler Sports Center, and when the clock tower was proposed he offered his services without charge. The tower is believed to be the last project he completed in his lifetime. Belluschi was awarded an honorary doctorate from the university in 1991 for his contributions to the George Fox campus.
The clock tower was dedicated in 1991 as “a new landmark for the campus, Newberg, and the Northwest.” At the tower’s dedication, construction project coordinator Charles Bahlman said, “A new place has been born on this campus. One that will serve not only to commemorate, but inspire.” In addition, a time capsule was buried at the base of the tower during the time of its construction. In 2004, the tower’s profile became the university’s new official logo, replacing the script style logo. The 65-foot-tall clock tower houses a carillon (a set of bells which are sounded by hammers), four clocks, and the university’s original victory bell. Original to the university’s predecessor, Pacific College, the 200-pound cast iron bell used to be housed in the original Hoover Hall, which has since been demolished. The clock tower sounds chimes on the quarter-hour throughout the day, as well as songs on the half-hour, but does not ring at night or on Saturday mornings.