Russell Science topped out, on schedule

Filled with signatures that are now a permanent part of the building, the final steel beam went into place on Russell Science Center during a Homecoming topping out ceremony on Sept. 23.

Alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community members signed the beam in the days before it was hoisted by a crane to the top of the four-story building. The ceremony celebrated a milestone in the construction process, which is on schedule for completion in January 2019.

Cornell’s $35 million science project is part of the Greater > Than campaign and will more than double the college’s STEM space. Construction of the Russell Science Center will be followed by renovations of West Hall and portions of Law Hall.

The college is pleased to announce three gifts of $500,000 for the science facilities project from:

• Trustee Richard Williams ’63 and honorary alumna Marlene Williams.
• Trustee and former board chair John Smith ’71 and honorary alumna Dyan Smith.
• Trustee Bob McLennan ’65 and Becky Martin McLennan ’64.

In just two years the college has exceeded $33 million in gifts toward the project, including a $20 million lead gift from Jean Russell ’65.