The event was held Dec. 5 at the Associated Builders and Contractors of Arkansas Building in North Little Rock. The event sponsors include the Arkansas Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Lexicon, and the family of Clyde Moore, who had a 50-year career as a foreman. Moore鈥檚 family says he would have been proud of the work being done at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and the opportunities that they provide for students.

The ceremony honored graduating students Caleb Coffman, Steven Currence, Tabari Herron, William Hopkins, Naji Kattom, Andrew Payton, and Christian Salazar. Each graduate received a certificate and a commemorative 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock hardhat as well as signed a beam that will be displayed in the Engineering, Technology, and Applied Science Building at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for future generations to see.

鈥淭he topping-out ceremony was very enjoyable,鈥� said Payton, a graduating senior in construction management from Tualatin, Oregon. 鈥淚t is very fitting for our construction management program due to the size, specialization, and support of the industry. Great food, great speakers, and a great evening. I won’t be attending the official graduation ceremony, so this took its place in my mind.鈥�

The ceremony was attended by many industry professionals, including Howard Williams, one of the co-founders of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock construction management program, and Mike Tramel, the founding chair who served as the event鈥檚 keynote speaker.

鈥淭his ceremony reflects a desire for you to have a safe, prosperous career with nothing but good fortune in your future,鈥� Tramel said.

The ceremony is a way to distinguish the graduates of one of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 most successful academic departments. Students in the program are highly sought after by the construction management industry and have a 100 percent employment rate upon graduation.

鈥淚t鈥檚 my desire and hope that this becomes a wonderful tradition for the graduates of this program,鈥� said Jimmy Alessi, chairman and CEO of Alessi Keyes Construction and chairman of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 departmental Industry Advisory Board.

The ceremony is a new tradition that was spearheaded by Jillian Cates, a senior construction management major and president of the Associated General Contractors of America student chapter at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淚 am humbled and amazed at the outcome of this first ceremony,鈥� Cates said. 鈥淚 can’t say thank you enough to the people from the university, both faculty and staff, and industry folks who had my back the whole way through this process. Getting the first one out of the way feels good, but I’m already excited for the next one. I hope the graduates and families enjoyed it as much as I did.鈥�

Among those in attendance was Cates鈥� mother, Cara Cates of Conway, who was exceedingly proud of her daughter for organizing such a unique event.

鈥淛illian has always been a leader,鈥� Cara Cates said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 innovative and wants to make other people feel special through the things that she does, which is very evident with the topping out ceremony.

Cates sees 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 topping out ceremony continuing to grow to become a milestone event for the department.

鈥淚 think it’s a great opportunity for our program to grow, and it shows everyone exactly what this program is about by honoring our graduates in a way that is unique to our industry,鈥� Cates said. 鈥淚 wish all our graduates the best and thank them for being a part of making my dream come true.鈥�

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The ceremony is the first of a new tradition for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Associated Builders and Contractors of Arkansas building in North Little Rock. Many members of the construction management industry will join the graduates for the ceremony as well as a celebratory dinner.

鈥淕raduation is a big day for all and to recognize students in a unique manner that is clearly related to their degree makes it even more special,鈥� said Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. 鈥淭he Topping Out ceremony is a great way to provide special recognition for these great graduates. Thanks to Jill Cates for her leadership in establishing this new, excellent tradition for our Construction Management majors.鈥�

The graduating students who will be honored include Caleb Coffman, Steven Currence, Tabari Herron, William Hopkins, Naji Kattom, Andrew Payton, and Christian Salazar.

The graduating students will be honored with commemorative 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock hardhats and certificates as well as sign a beam that will be displayed in the Engineering, Technology, and Applied Science Building at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for future generations to see.

鈥淭raditionally in a Topping Out Ceremony in construction, all members involved with the project sign the final beam that will be placed on the building,鈥� said Jillian Cates, a senior construction management major and president of the Associated General Contractors of America student chapter. 鈥淪ince our graduates have reached this milestone in both their academic and professional career, we are having them do the same thing!鈥�

Cates is a member of the Dean鈥檚 Student Leadership Board and had the idea to begin the topping out ceremony at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock after seeing similar ceremonies taking place at other universities across the country.

鈥淚 have been working hard to make this happen since the beginning of this summer, and I promise you this tradition is nothing short of amazing,鈥� Cates said. 鈥淚t will not only bring a sense of community to the graduates from our department, but will also bring an even greater love for this university for all who are a part of it. This is a way for us to leave our mark on the university.鈥�

The ceremony is a way to distinguish the graduates of one of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 most successful academic departments. Students in the program are highly sought after by the construction management industry and have a 100 percent employment rate upon graduation.

Ceremony speakers include Dr. Hank Bray, department chair; Mike Tramel, professor and founding past department chair; Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and Lloyd Webre, director of development and external affairs.

鈥淚 am excited about the first ever topping out ceremony for graduates of the programs in construction management and civil and construction engineering,鈥� Bray said. 鈥淭opping out in construction refers to placing the last piece of steel in a building or structure. It’s a milestone in a project that is widely celebrated by the contractor, the employees, and the owner. The last beam is signed by all the parties and lifted into place by a crane with much fanfare, often flying an American flag. It is fitting to recognize these graduates as they reach this milestone in their career – not completed, but well on their way. I am so proud of Jill for her leadership in starting this new tradition.鈥�

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