 The result was an extremely durable building so filled with steel that blowtorches had to be used when piping for water fountains was added.In front of the Academic Building is the Academic Plaza, which is the site of a wide range of campus events, most notably Silver Taps.Donated to Texas A&M University by Martha and Ford D. Albritton and dedicated on October 6, 1984, the Albritton Tower is tall and contains 49 bells, cast by the Paccard Bell Foundry, weighing a total of , the largest of which weighs .