Topping off Ceremony Marks Construction Milestone
September
21, 2007- Newark, OH-
Close to 100 members of the faculty, staff and administration of Central
Ohio Technical College and The Ohio State University at Newark recently
celebrated a topping off ceremony for the forthcoming John L. and
Christine Warner Library and Student Center. Work on the eagerly
anticipated 81,000 square foot building is on schedule, with a
projected completion date of summer 2008. Mrs. Christine Warner
Powell, the building’s benefactor along with her late husband, John L.
Warner, was also in attendance.
A long-standing tradition within the construction industry, a topping off ceremony marks the moment when the highest structural point in the building construction is accomplished. To commemorate this milestone, the final steel beam is signed by those present before being hoisted into place. An evergreen tree is placed on the beam to symbolize that the building project has proceeded well, without injury, and to serve as a good luck charm for the future occupants of the building. The tree is then reserved to become part of the landscape of the future building.
The new library and student center will feature 25,000 square feet of library space. The student center will include a modern food court, student affairs offices, student organizational space, a learning commons, various lounge and activity areas and a new bookstore.
The building was made possible through the foresight and generosity of John L. and Christine Warner, who are credited with the unique concept of combining the library and student center into one facility. The Warners’ generous donation consists of a $4.5 million lead gift, followed by the establishment of three charitable remainder trusts of varying amounts and years.