This past week, Penn State celebrated reaching the halfway point in the construction of its new Animal, Veterinary, and Biomedical Sciences Building.

Construction is expected to be completed in late 2021. The new building will house research laboratories, instructional spaces, and offices for the Animal Science and the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences departments in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

During the topping-out ceremony, organizers in attendance placed the last beam on top of the structure, which is a centuries-old tradition in the construction industry. Additionally, the raised beam was accompanied by a small tree which is another tradition that can be traced back to ancient Scandinavian culture to appease “tree-dwelling spirits.”

Friday’s ceremony was hosted by the leaders from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Office of Physical Plant, HOK architectural firm, and Turner Construction Co. The event was live-streamed for remote viewing and coronavirus safety guidelines were enforced.

The new 105,000-square-foot, $98.5 million facility is located on Shortlidge Road between Curtin Road and Park Avenue on the site of the former Henning Building.

The construction of this building will aid in contributions to the success of animal and crop production, the largest sector of Pennsylvania agriculture, which provides more than $9 billion to the state’s economy.

“This new Animal, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Building will provide us the opportunity, indeed the obligation, to do more,” Rick Roush, the College of Agricultural Sciences’ dean, said. “Our discovery research and our students will contribute to a safe, affordable and abundant food supply, while helping to mitigate environmental impacts of food and animal production and enhancing animal and human health.”

The new building will house a time capsule on its ground level. The capsule is scheduled to open in 50 years and will contain articles, brochures, and other items related to the new construction and the era in which it was built, such as pieces about the pandemic.

Kevin Cook, the general manager of Turner Construction’s Philadelphia office, has continually praised crews for maintaining progress on the building amid the pandemic.