Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) and members of the Allen Tate family and real estate company held a dedication ceremony today for the new Central Campus clock tower--the Allen Tate Tower.

Taking its place among the prominent college and university landmarks across the Carolinas, the Allen Tate Tower serves as a focal point on CPCC's Central Campus. The tower stands approximately 48 feet tall, with a base of about 144 square feet. The new tower is constructed of brick and cast stone and features a four-sided clock face approximately six feet in diameter. The tower's digital carillon will play a wide variety of peals, tolls and familiar songs.

The tower is the result of a generous contribution from H. Allen Tate Jr., founder and CEO of the Allen Tate Co., the Charlotte-based real estate firm. Little Diversified Architectural Consulting provided the design work on the project. A team from Rodgers Builders constructed the tower in six months.

"This represents a crowning achievement for the student body, faculty, board of directors, CPCC Foundation board and many others who have created a reputation as tall as this tower," said Tate. "It is a signature landmark that will serve as an ongoing reminder of the hard work and commitment students have made to achieve their goals and prepare for the future."

"We are extremely grateful to Allen Tate and his continued support of the college," said Dr. Tony Zeiss, president of CPCC. "Because of his generosity, CPCC is now home to a signature landmark that will not only serve as a point of pride for our alumni, but also as a symbol of achievement to our current students who are working hard to be a success."

The clock tower is located on Elizabeth Avenue, between the Terrell Building and the Elizabeth Classroom Building. The prominent site will give students, employees, visitors and passing motorists a clear view of the tower.