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UNK, Hausmann celebrate milestone in STEM building construction

April 23, 2019
Tyler Ellyson
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Tim Burkink, dean of UNK’s College of Business and Technology, participates in a ceremonial beam signing and topping-out event for the university’s new STEM building. Tuesday’s event celebrated the continued progress on the 90,000-square-foot facility, which is scheduled for completion in spring 2020. (Photo by Corbey R. Dorsey, UNK Communications)
Tim Burkink, dean of UNK’s College of Business and Technology, participates in a ceremonial beam signing and topping-out event for the university’s new STEM building. Tuesday’s event celebrated the continued progress on the 90,000-square-foot facility, which is scheduled for completion in spring 2020. (Photo by Corbey R. Dorsey, UNK Communications)

KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney’s new STEM building reached a milestone Tuesday afternoon.

Representatives from UNK and the construction team gathered for a ceremonial beam signing and topping-out event to celebrate the continued progress on the 90,000-square-foot facility that will transform science, technology, engineering and math education in greater Nebraska.

During Tuesday’s ceremony, led by general contractor Hausmann Construction of Lincoln, the final beam was placed atop the building located on UNK’s west campus between West Center and Ockinga Hall. This time-honored tradition signifies the continued health and well-being of the construction workers on-site and future occupants of the building.

The STEM building, scheduled for completion in spring 2020, is part of a $30 million project that replaces the 64-year-old Otto C. Olsen building. It will house seven academic departments and feature cutting-edge technology.

The project is paid for by renewal bonds and through state appropriation from LB858, the University of Nebraska Facilities Program of 2016. That appropriation directed deferred maintenance funding to facility replacement projects, including the Otto Olsen building.

Hausmann Construction employees watch as the final beam is placed atop UNK's new STEM building during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Corbey R. Dorsey, UNK Communications)
Hausmann Construction employees watch as the final beam is placed atop UNK’s new STEM building during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Corbey R. Dorsey, UNK Communications)