EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) officials and Sundt Construction held a “topping out” ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 22, to celebrate a major construction milestone for Texas Western Hall, the newest learning complex on campus.
“It’s exciting to see Texas Western Hall progress day-by-day,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson. “Generations of UTEP students will get a great education in this space, thanks to the hard work of many who are helping us get this done.”
Topping out ceremonies are traditionally celebrated when the last beam in a structure is hoisted on top of a building in progress, UTEP said in a news release.
UTEP said this event honored the efforts of Sundt construction workers, engineers and architects from Ayers Saint Gross whose work has contributed to Texas Western Hall.
Around 170 Sundt construction workers were on hand to celebrate the milestone, along with students, faculty and staff from UTEP’s College of Liberal Arts. Guests were invited to sign the beam as part of the event.
“Working together, the UTEP, Ayers Saint Gross and Sundt teams have created a beautiful building that reflects both the tradition of Bhutanese architecture at UTEP and the need for a 21st-century learning environment,” said Joseph Riccillo, vice president and El Paso regional director at Sundt. “I’m thankful to celebrate this milestone with our partners and everyone who has worked on Texas Western Hall and I look forward to the day very soon when we can officially open it for use.”
UTEP said construction on the $110 million complex began with a groundbreaking ceremony in late 2023.
The 124,725-square-foot space will include 27 classrooms, including several large auditoriums, and 23 collaboration spaces with state-of-the-art technology, a café and a rooftop terrace with a view of Centennial Plaza, UTEP said.
UTEP said the building, which was funded with the support of the Texas legislature and permanent university funds from The University of Texas System Board of Regents, is expected to open in the spring of 2026.
Once completed, the Liberal Arts building in front of Texas Western Hall will be demolished and the arroyo it sits on will be restored, UTEP said.
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