Friday marked a major milestone in the construction of the new College of Business Administration building at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln as a Topping Off Steel Ceremony took place at the construction site at 14th and Vine streets. A topping off event is a building construction tradition that occurs when the last beam is placed atop a structure.
 
The event included remarks from Dr. Donde Plowman, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean; Chancellor Harvey Perlman; University of Nebraska Regent Howard Hawks; and Alexander Lahargoue, a junior marketing major from Olathe, Kansas. Alumni, faculty, staff and friends signed the final beam prior to the program.
 
“We lift the last beam of this magnificent new building and think of all the many ways our generous donors and alumni have lifted this college to new heights,” Plowman said. “Our future is now – and that has never been more clear than today.”
 
While the ceremony is an important milestone, construction continues as planned on the $84 million, 240,000-square foot structure. The building will open prior to the fall 2017 semester.
 
“This clearly will impact the physical look on our campus, but it represents much more than that,” Perlman said of the building. “It’s about building a College of Business Administration that can excel, can compete with our Big Ten colleagues and really raise the profile of the business community in Nebraska.”
 
Plowman highlighted many of the alumni who will provide inspiration for students in the new building, including Hawks. Hawks gave the initial gift to jump start the construction of the buildingcompletely funded by private donations.
 
“Facilities like this are vital to an educational environment that will engage students and enable them to be a part of something great,” said Hawks, who is co-founder and senior advisor of Tenaska Capital Management. “The commitment of visionary donors to completely fund this project with private dollars shows the support and partnership from the business community to take this college to the next level. The future for the College of Business Administration is bright, and I can’t wait to learn of future achievements. As an alumnus, I am extremely proud.”
 
At the conclusion of the program, a video highlighting the transformation of CBA in the last few years was shown. Because of high winds, the beam could not be raised Friday. When weather allows, the beam will be lifted into place.
 
“This new building will transform the lives of many people, and as a student at CBA, I can see many ways it already has. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and University and business communities are excited about the future and the opportunities this new building will bring,” said Lahargoue. “To the donors and alumni who have made this happen, you have lifted this college, you have lifted all of us, and we can’t wait to go out and Start Something.”

Topping Off Steel Ceremony Facebook Photo Album Published: April 18, 2016