The last piece of steel is going to be placed on top of the new addition at the University Center at Shawnee State University and a Topping Out Ceremony is planned at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18. “Topping Out” is a term used when the last steel beam is placed on the structure.

Monday, Feb. 16 university faculty, staff and students were invited to sign the last steel beam.

The SSU University Center will double in size as a result of a $15 million expansion and renovation project, the largest facilities investment in the University’s history. The University Center is slated for completion January 2010.

With enrollment increasing, students voted to invest in their “home away from home” by increasing student fees to help pay for the center. As “part owners,” students have been involved in the planning and design of the new University Center and the final product reflects what is needed and wanted most by the nearly 4,000 students at SSU.

The Topping Out Ceremony is open to the public.

Source: Elizabeth Blevins, Office of

Communications, SSU