Education and Human Sciences celebrates new building's final beam

· 3 min read

Education and Human Sciences celebrates new building’s final beam

by Haley Apel | Education and Human Sciences
Sheri Jones, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, signs the final beam that was lifted into place during the April 9 topping out ceremony. An evergreen tree was also placed atop the beam, signifying the safe completion of the internal structure of the building.
Craig Chandler | University Communication
Sheri Jones, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, signs the final beam that was lifted into place during the April 9 topping out ceremony. An evergreen tree was also placed atop the beam, signifying the safe completion of the internal structure of the building.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Education and Human Sciences celebrated the placement of the final steel beam on its new City Campus building on April 9.

The final beam was painted white and was signed by college faculty and staff, Hausmann Construction representatives and others involved in the project. Signatures were also gathered virtually for those unable to attend. Among the attendees were Sherri Jones and Marjorie Kostelnik, the current and former deans of the college, respectively.

“It’s very special to gather to mark this significant milestone in the construction of our new home,” Jones said. “I’m so thankful to all those who have helped us reach this point, including former CEHS deans Marjorie Kostelnik and Beth Doll.”

A crane lifts the final beam into the air as Hausmann Construction workers ready to bolt it into place. The new College of Education and Human Sciences building is replacing Mabel Lee Hall on 14th Street, between Vine and W streets.
Craig Chandler | University Communication
A crane lifts the final beam into the air as Hausmann Construction workers ready to bolt it into place. The new College of Education and Human Sciences building is replacing Mabel Lee Hall on 14th Street, between Vine and W streets.

An Education and Human Sciences banner, small evergreen tree and an American flag were placed on the steel beam before it was raised and bolted into place. The evergreen tree signifies the safe completion of the framing of the structure, and a wish for continued good luck for the future of the building project.

The new building replaces Mabel Lee Hall on 14th Street between Vine and W streets. Mabel Lee Hall, dedicated in 1968 as the Women’s Physical Education Building and renamed in 1977 to honor Lee, was demolished in summer 2020. The new 126,590-square-foot, four-story facility will feature classrooms, meeting spaces, offices, labs, a 400-seat auditorium, and link directly to Teachers College Hall. It is scheduled for completion in spring 2022.

Details about the new building, including renderings and a construction live stream, are available here.

A Hausmann Construction employee unfurls a flag placed on the final steel beam during the topping out ceremony on April 9. The ceremony has roots to an ancient Scandinavian tradition that, in modern times, signals the completion of the internal structure of a building.
Craig Chandler | University Communication
A Hausmann Construction employee unfurls a flag placed on the final steel beam during the topping out ceremony on April 9. The ceremony has roots to an ancient Scandinavian tradition that, in modern times, signals the completion of the internal structure of a building.

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