By Browning Brooks

FSU Communications Group

In the 1940s, campus life at Florida State College for Women and then Florida State University revolved around the Westcott Building and its fountain.

Half a century later, those transition classes of 1946, 1947 and 1948 are leaving their own architectural legacy -- a landmark designed to convey hallowed academic traditions while giving an expanding campus a focal point for a new era.

"The Heritage Tower" -- a two-year labor of love that will grace an area across from the University Center between the circus lot and Dick Howser Stadium -- was planned to celebrate the three classes' 50-year reunions and to coincide with FSU's 50th anniversary in 1997.

On May 15, 1947, the Florida Legislature made FSCW coeducational and renamed it Florida State University.

"We're the pivotal class," said Mary Lou Norwood, Class of '47. "We thought it was unique that we received the only diplomas inscribed by both FSCW and FSU. The Class of '46 had been the last with only `FSCW' on its diplomas, and the Class of '48 was the first with only `FSU' on its diplomas. The three classes, therefore, represent the transition to Florida State University.

"When we wanted to give something back, we just felt like this was the right thing to do."

Response to the project was so positive that Barnett Fronczak Neubauer Architects of Tallahassee donated architectural services and architect Brant Chaisson of the firm volunteered to design the landmark.

If all goes as planned, the Class of '46 will break ground in '96, '47 will light the torches in '97, and '48 will hold a formal dedication in '98.

"We want thousands of Florida State students to be reminded every day of FSU's rich academic past when they pass by the tower in the daytime, and when they see the dramatic flaming torches, falling waters and lighted arches and pool at night," said Sarah Lewis Marxsen, president of the Class of '47.

Through the years, both student life and the campus have spread and scattered westward, away from Westcott. The new University Center on the southwestern rim of the main campus refocuses most student services at one site.

"The Heritage Tower will bring the traditions and character of the older campus into this busy new hub of activity," Marxsen said.

The three torches atop the landmark -- used as far back as 1901 -- are the principal feature of the seals of both FSCW and FSU. In an annual FSCW ceremony known as Torch Night, the upper classes ritually passed small lighted torches to their freshman sisters.

In the design, the torches are supported by Gothic arches that tie the older campus, with its many arcades and arched doorways, to the University Center.

While the landmark is a gift from the three classes, Marxsen said, "all alumni and friends of FSCW and FSU are invited to join this symbolic passing of the three torches."