by Don Lee
2. December 2010 23:22
"Somewhere between groundbreaking and ribbon cutting comes a little known ceremony in construction called 'topping out.' It occurs when the highest or last structural element is about to be swung into place. Long before steel and concrete were used in construction it was the trees that man used to construct his shelter.
The 1000-year-old topping out tradition started in Scandinavia when workers would place an evergreen tree on the highest structural element of construction as a symbol the workers' 'respect for nature's contribution to building process.' This tradition continues as a sign of good faith and well wishes for the building and its inhabitants. The custom spread across Europe and was brought to America by the construction workers and tradesmen that literally build America.
For Ozarks this is our third Topping Out ceremony, 1st was Robson Library in 1996, then in 2002 Walker Hall. I am so happy to be apart of this ceremony that maybe smaller than those two major building on our campus but is just as significant. As the frame of the building is now clearly in place it isn’t hard to image how the new space we will have for events. Just think this time next year you will be able to see Joe Hoing riding his stationary bike and telling students the evils of white flour and sugar. And by that time this ceremony will be long forgotten but the spirit of this day will live on and with these signatures even when students say “Joe Who” our time at Ozarks will live on.
I would like to invite the members of our construction team to sign and become a member of our Ozarks family forever also."
-- from Dean of Residential & Campus Life Sherrie Arey's opening remarks during the Topping Out ceremony Dec. 1st.
