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During a beam signing and raising ceremony on Sept. 5, Dr. Doug Dunham, interim director of strategic partnerships and program development, told those gathered that constructing a building like this is a journey filled with many milestones.

“Just 449 days ago, we broke ground on this site,” Dunham told those assembled. “Today we celebrate the placement of the final structural beam marking the building’s highest point.”

Prior to the formal signing event, students, faculty, staff and members of the Eau Claire community had the opportunity to add their names to the beam.

Dunham thanked those on hand representing the university, the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, the state of Wisconsin, the Universities of Wisconsin and local legislators.

Amy Bogost, president of the Board of Regents, said a topping-off ceremony is not just about a beam and steel, it’s about what the structure represents.

“This building reflects the very best of what our public universities can do,” Bogost said. “They respond to the needs of the state, partner with local communities and prepare the next generation of leaders.”

A member of that next generation of leaders, Kaitlyn Hevrin, student body president at UW-Eau Claire, said the new science hall will do more than open the door for collaboration.

“This building will also provide incredible opportunities for growth, passion and nurturing creativity in science,” Hevrin said. “I can’t thank you all enough for making these opportunities possible for the students of UW-Eau Claire.”

Interim Chancellor Michael Carney added his thanks to all those who worked for nearly a decade to get to where construction progress is today.

“The pathway leading us here today started nearly eight years ago with a feasibility study to determine what it would take to create a 21st-century facility for our science teaching and research labs and a simulation center for our nursing program,” Carney said. “Thanks to everyone who helped us achieve the milestone we are celebrating today.”