Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center Gets "Topped" - BYU News Skip to main content
Intellect

Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center Gets "Topped"

The construction of the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center reached a milestone during a "topping out" ceremony Dec. 8. Topping out is a term used by steel workers that signifies the last piece of steel being hoisted into place on a structure. For the GBHB the designated piece of steel is a pyramid-shaped roof section for the clock tower weighing 14,000 pounds.

"The clock tower is very appropriate to receive the last piece of steel," says King Husein, owner of Span Construction & Engineering, who, in conjunction with Okland Construction, has the responsibility of erecting the new building. "It will become the newest landmark on campus."

From the first floor to the top, the clock tower extends 122 feet according to Span's superintendent Don Breneman. As the steel erection portion comes to a close, work has already begun on the interior.

Duct work, steel stud framing, electrical and mechanical work, insulation, ceiling grids and more are steadily reaching all levels. The building is on schedule to be completed by fall 2007.

Before the roof section was put in place guests, including President Cecil O. Samuelson, had the opportunity to sign the last piece of steel with paint pens.

Writer: Charlene Winters

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

Forum: Religion’s surprising impact on academic success

March 25, 2025
“I know that your faith isn’t something you practice only on Sundays — it influences your daily decisions, your work ethic and your vision for the future,” expressed Ilana M. Horwitz in her forum address at Brigham Young University.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

BYU professor and former Utah Poet Laureate recognizes the sacred in everyday life

March 24, 2025
A Q&A with BYU professor of English Lance Larsen, who has been writing poetry for four decades. His poems are regularly published in leading literary journals, and he has received prestigious awards, including the Pushcart Prize and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. From 2012-17 he served as Utah Poet Laureate, advocating for the arts throughout the state. He recently published his sixth book of poetry — "Making a Kingdom of It."
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Three days, one song: BYU music students team up with Grammy winner Mark Lettieri to create new track

March 14, 2025
Imagine being tasked with writing a song in just three days, and then getting the chance to work alongside world-renowned guitarist Mark Lettieri. That was the incredible opportunity five BYU commercial music students.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=