The SMU Carillon resides in the cupola atop the Fondren Science Building, home of the departments of Physics, Geology, and Geography. It is a two-octave carillon with twenty-five bells; the largest of which weighs four tons. The SMU Carillon was gifted by the 1952 June graduating class and comes from a foundry in Holland, a region where the instrument is commonly installed in church towers and municipal buildings.

The carillon is played by pressing foot- and hand-operated keyboards that correlate with metal clappers that, in turn, strike the bells. The tone that emanates from the instrument mirrors the intensity with which the keyboards are pressed. Professor Emeritus and Chief Marshal Emeritus Dr. Lorn Howard plays the SMU Carillon before academic ceremonies and other special events throughout the year. Former Provost, Professor Ross Murfin is also a skilled carillonneur.

The SMU Carillon is played daily using an automated program. Monday through Friday the Westminster Chimes tune can be heard throughout campus at 12:00 p.m. and at 5:00 p.m.