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JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 6, 2024 — 51���� students, employees and friends signed a steel beam and participated in a “topping out” ceremony on campus Feb. 5 to celebrate a milestone in construction of the new academic building on the Great Lawn.

The beam they signed was installed on Tuesday and is the highest piece of structural steel in the building. The facility will house the McAfee School of Business and the computer science and engineering departments.

“First, foremost and always, we acknowledge God’s hand,” Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver said. “Psalm 127 begins, ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.’ We know that it is in the Lord’s providence that we are gathering here today to celebrate this topping out.”

The ceremony featured recognitions of architects TLM Associates, structural engineers Clay Williams and Associates and general contractor Linkous Construction, in addition to Union trustees and business, computer science and engineering faculty and staff who have provided input on the building.

Oliver recognized Tom McAfee, his mother Carolyn McAfee Bruner and their family who provided the lead gift for the project, as well as other donors, such as former Union President Hyran Barefoot, who has made significant contributions to fund its construction. So far, more than 200 donors have contributed $15.5 million to the project.

Oliver also acknowledged Union students present at the ceremony.

“You are the reason we build these buildings, because we want you to have the very best learning environments possible for you to pursue God’s calling on your lives,” he said. Dannie Harrington, Union’s Student Government Association president, said the tradition of a topping out ceremony dates to the 14th century and is a time when all people involved in a building project gather to express gratitude for progress made and to look forward to the completion.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness,” Harrington said. “God is so good, and his grace is so evident here at Union. We are so excited for students to be able to roam these halls in the upcoming years.”

Construction of the building began in September and is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2025.