The ceremony recognizes students completing degrees in Construction Management or Civil and Construction Engineering while celebrating the teamwork, dedication, and achievement required to reach graduation.

What Is a Topping Out Ceremony?

This longstanding tradition traces back to Scandinavian building practices and the Norse custom of placing a final beam — often accompanied by an evergreen tree — atop a completed structure. The evergreen symbolized life, growth, continuity, and protection, while builders gathered to celebrate a safe and successful project.

A Tradition Rooted in Construction History

Over time, the practice became part of American construction culture, particularly among ironworkers and builders. Modern topping-out ceremonies often include signing or painting the final beam before it is lifted into place, commemorating both the structure itself and the collective effort behind it.

Celebrating the Spring 2026 Graduates

The Spring 2026 ceremony featured remarks and participation from faculty and program leaders, including guest speaker James Michael “Mike” Tramel, Professor and Founding Past Chair; Hollis “Hank” Bray, Program Coordinator for Construction Management and current chair; and Anne Turner, Program Coordinator for Civil & Construction Engineering.

As graduates prepare to enter the workforce, the ceremony serves as both a celebration of their accomplishments and a reminder of the strong traditions that continue to shape the construction and engineering professions.

The Next Generation of Builders

Students interested in careers in construction, infrastructure, and engineering can learn more about Construction Management and Civil & Construction Engineering programs at UA ������Ƶlogo.

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Competing against top programs from across the region—including Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Memphis—UA ������Ƶlogo students earned multiple awards across several major competitions.

Strong Finishes Across Competitions

The team earned 2nd place overall in the Concrete Canoe competition, marking their third consecutive year with a podium finish.

A cornerstone of civil engineering student competitions since the 1970s, the Concrete Canoe competition challenges teams to design, construct, and race a functional canoe made entirely of concrete. Beyond engineering skill, the event emphasizes teamwork, innovation, and technical design.

This year’s competition also included a proposal component, where teams developed and presented designs for a prototype standardized canoe, adding an extra layer of strategy and real-world application.

They also placed 3rd overall in the Student Symposium Paper Competition and 3rd in the t-shirt design competition.

A Milestone Return to Steel Bridge

In addition, the team received the Aesthetics Award in the AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition, a notable achievement as it marked UA ������Ƶlogo’s first time competing in the event in over a decade.

These accomplishments highlight the strength, creativity, and dedication of UA ������Ƶlogo’s civil engineering students as they continue to compete at a high level against some of the nation’s largest universities.

Want to get involved?

Learn more about the and connect with UA ������Ƶlogo’s chapter on or follow them on .

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