In May 1940 the All Students’ Club approved spending $400 from the surplus earned from student dances to provide floodlights to light Ayres Hall’s Tower. On October 10, 1940, ASC President Bascom Williamson presented the lights to the university on behalf of the students; President James D. Hoskins accepted the lights; the band gave a 15-minute concert; and the six 1,000-watt bulbs and two 500-watt bulbs lit the tower for the first time, illuminating Guy Goodwin as he played a trumpet solo from the top of Ayres Tower.
Radio station WNOX broadcast the program live, ending with the playing of the chimes, which sounded from the tower. In 1941 an additional $300 was allocated by the All Students’ Club to increase the lighting. As part of the 2009–10 renovation, the lighting was brought up to modern standards and efficiency.