The Eastern Back. AS Review
The Eastern Back is a yearly publication by the staff of the AS Review. Anything contained here probably isn’t true – unless it is… Happy April Fool’s week!
By Kiaya Wilson
Carl Hansen, head of Miller Hall bell operations in Western’s administration, hired Leif Andersen, a professional Norwegian screamer, to replace the Miller Hall bell recording.
Hansen said they wanted to change the clock tower bell to increase school spirit during the COVID-19 pandemic, but have thought about changing the tower bell for about two years.
“We [the administration] think this transition will help lift school spirit because it provides something for students and faculty to look forward to during this time of confusion,” Hansen said. “Although there won’t be many people on campus, we are providing ways for people to feel connected as a community, and this is one of them.”
Andersen said he is honored to take this position.
“I feel like I’m fulfilling my destiny,” Andersen said. “My entire family is Norwegian and they are very proud of me.”
One of Andersen’s dads, Oskar Andersen, said he is very happy that his son got the position.
“My husband and I are over the moon about Leif’s new job,” Oskar Andersen said. “It is a great homage to our culture and our family.”
Hundreds of people interviewed for the position, which is paid. After initial interviews, the interviewees provided examples of their work and appearance including voice recordings of their screams and pictures of their viking gear.
“It’s really a privilege to be here,” Andersen said.
Andersen came to Western in fall of 2018 and is a Norse mythology major. He said that he wanted to go to Western because of his Nordic heritage and having the opportunity to major in Norse mythology played a large role in his decision.
“I wanted the experience of going to a school I could relate to,” Andersen said. “I can really connect to the mascot [Victor E. Viking] which makes school spirit easy for me.”
Every hour, Andersen will stand at the top of the clock tower, in full viking gear and scream to signal the time.
Andersen said he prepared for this position by working with a vocal coach.
“Once I heard about the opportunity, I started training,” he said. “I’ve been working with my vocal coach for a little over a year now and I feel that I’ve made a lot of progress.”
Silje Kristiansen, Andersen’s vocal coach, said she is very proud of the progress Andersen has made.
“When he first came to me, he could barely yell,” Kristiansen said. “Now he is the best yeller that I know and I’m so glad he got the position.”
Peyton Greene, a third-year student at Western, said they are excited for this transition.
“I like that they’re doing this,” Greene said. “I think it’s a good way to create solidarity since we can’t go to any school sporting or club events right now. I will definitely be listening to the screams and encouraging my friends to also.”
Andersen will begin the position at the beginning of spring quarter, on April 6. Even though there will be very few people on campus, there will be an online livestream so that students and faculty can watch Andersen perform. There will also be an app [Viking Time] available, which will alert people of when Andersen will begin so they can watch the livestream.
Happy April Fools!
