Gaylord Hall Reaches New Heights

Topping Out Ceremony Marks Milestone in Construction of Phase II

Posted February 28, 2008

A “topping out” ceremony – a tradition celebrating a milestone in building construction – was held for Phase II of The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma on Friday, Feb. 15, in the Edith Kinney Gaylord Library in Gaylord Hall.

The “topping out” ceremony signified that the building has reached its maximum height and was commemorated with the placement of the final piece of steel.

The final steel beam was painted white allowing construction workers, architects, students, faculty and staff to leave their mark on the building for posterity. The beam was also signed by OU President David Boren, Gaylord College Dean Joe Foote, and project donors Bill and Bob Ross. Also placed atop the structure were a small evergreen tree signifying growth; a broom signifying a clean sweep with no injuries during the steel erection; and an American flag to show that the structure was proudly built in America with American labor.

The ceremony was held in the Edith Kinney Gaylord Library on the second floor of Gaylord Hall. The library provided sweeping views of the construction site and allowed the crowd to view the raising of the final beam without braving the cold weather.

In attendance were students, faculty, staff and Bill and Bob Ross, executive directors of the two donor foundations, Ethics and Excellence in Journalism and Inasmuch Foundations. Representatives from Rees Associates Architecture and Flintco Construction, as well as, the owner of the company that provided the steel for the project were present. The ceremony concluded by singing the OU Chant led by Gaylord Ambassadors Robert Gonzalez and Emily Westbrooks.

Now in its 95th year, the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication is one of the largest colleges on the Norman campus with enrollment of approximately 1,500 students. The College moved into its new 66,000-square-foot home in fall 2004.

Construction of the $19 million Phase II of Gaylord Hall began in May 2007. Phase II will provide an additional 46,000 square feet of space and will house expanded graduate program space, 185-seat auditorium, a broadcast studio and a student-run strategic communication agency for public relations and advertising students.

Phase II is funded by gifts from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism and the Inasmuch Foundations, two Oklahoma City foundations established by the late Edith Kinney Gaylord. The expansion project also has received support from the E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation in addition to other donors and monies from the university.