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March 16, 2025

Community, construction crews convene on Ham Smith for special ceremony

Thursday, March 31, 2016

COLA Dean Ken Fuld at Ham Smith topping off ceremony, UNH

COLA Dean Ken Fuld (left) and others at the topping off ceremony to celebrate the placement of the highest beam in the Hamilton Smith Hall renovation project.

On Thursday, March 31, university community members and Skanska construction officials and crews gathered for a 鈥渢opping off鈥� ceremony at Hamilton Smith Hall, which is undergoing .听

At the base of the lilac hill, those in attendance signed the new building鈥檚 highest beam and then watched as crews hoisted it into place.

Hamilton Smith Hall "topping off" — Workers place the highest beam at the top of the new Hamilton Smith Hall at UNH.

The new addition to Ham Smith is taking shape quickly. Due to the warm winter, crews have been able to construct foundations throughout the season, and structural steel has been going up since mid-February, according to UNH project manager Richard Rouleau.听

Wondering about that tree?

It鈥檚 part of a topping off (sometimes called 鈥渢opping out鈥�) tradition that has been celebrated since ancient times. The tree marks the construction project鈥檚 apogee and serves as an auspicious symbol for both the successful completion of the project and the well-being of the structure鈥檚 eventual inhabitants.

Photographer:

Jeremy Gasowski | UNH Marketing | jeremy.gasowski@unh.edu | 603-862-4465