New Ohio Union/Transition

Topping Off Ceremony

May 9th, 2008

The Ohio Union will host a ‘Topping Off’ ceremony on May 9th, 2008 adjacent to the construction of the new Ohio Union scheduled to open in 2010. This hallmark event occurs between the groundbreaking and the ribbon cutting ceremonies as a celebration of the last piece of steel placed at the highest point of the building. Representatives and construction workers will sign the beam, attach the U.S., the state of Ohio, and the Ohio Union flags, and add an evergreen tree prior to lifting the beam into place. We are excited to have one student from each of the 88 counties in Ohio sign the beam as a testament to this buildings dedication to fulfilling the land grant mission of The Ohio State University. This select group of students will also be the founding members of the I Beam Society. Other signers will include alumni, representatives from the graduate and professional schools, and students from various states and countries.

The tradition of topping off buildings began as early as 700 A.D. when Scandinavians topped construction sites with sheaths of grain to bestow luck on the future occupants. The ritual has transformed over the years to include representative flags and an evergreen tree to symbolize future prosperity. The ceremony unites all those involved with the project, from actual workers, to architects, to donors, to the representatives from the community.

Students, Click here to apply for the I Beam Society.