The day was spectacularly beautiful — a chamber of commerce day. By mid-afternoon the scattered clouds gave way to azure skies accompanied by a cool breeze.
Prelude to the Topping-Off Ceremony
On the west side of the new project just inside the security fence just south of the main entrance to the Medical center, two sides of temporary chainlink fence approximately was installed. Butting up to two sides of the security fence the enclosure measured approximately 50 feet long and 30 feet wide and included a gate off of the Medical Center’s entrance. Soon the word circulated that the area was where a beam would be stationed for employees, and friends of the university to sign. The “signature beam” would be used as the main attraction during the topping-off ceremony scheduled to be held on December 11, 2018. We also learned that the 30-foot beam was part of the ramp coming off of the helipad.
The enclosure (arrow) just after it was erected and before the beam was placed inside. By December 4, 2018, the signature beam was securely placed (arrow) in the enclosure. Before the rains came, a white tarp was erected over the space.The signature beam inside the enclosure.A closeup example (purposely out of focus) of name placement. While photographing the signature beam, I met Randy Possinger, LLUH assistant vice-president for philanthropy who was chatting with a LLU School of Medicine alumna and her son Donn, who will be attending medical school at LLU in the fall of 2019. Donn, an accomplished and an award winning photographer in his own right, signs the beam.
The Day of the Ceremony
Although the day started off with scattered high clouds, I was optimistic that the cloud cover would dissipate or not get any worse as the day progressed. I arrived on site around 3:00 PM to clear blue skies. Soon, the elevator would whisk us to the 16th floor.While waiting for the lift, I was able to capture Kenny (right) and Shayne (left) as they were working a 17th floor girder on the elevator (core) tower. In the shadow of the northeast corner of the yard, the signature beam waits its appointed turn to be hoisted to the top.As we exited the lift on the 16th floor, we were greeted by this odd-looking beam that was being lowered over the elevator tower. We were told that this beam is part of the helipad ramp.
“Yosemite” Sam, Schuff Steel’s safety manager, was my escort while I was on the 16th floor photographing the topping off ceremony. I am very grateful for his assistance as he helped position some of my camera equipment.
The helipad in the background with the frame of the ramp running to the right of the photo.
The ramp frame runs to the east of the helipad and turns south (right) into the elevator tower. The gap in the frame (center) is where the signature beam will be hung.At the appointed time, the signature beam was hoisted up from the yard and lowered into place. Shayne (left) is removing bolts, while Kenny on the far side takes a look at the vast vistas below. The cable lowering the 30 foot signature beam slows as Shayne (left) and Kenny (right) wait to grab the iron. Kenny on the far side maneuvers the signature beam toward the column.With old glory waving in the breeze, Shayne (left) and Kenny stabilize the signature beam before bolting it to the columns. While Brent (left), job foreman, and Corey (right) (radio operator) watch as Shayne kneeling on the beam (left) seats his end while Kenny (right) lowers his side into place.The signature beam is being bolted to the column squaring off the frame.Once the signature beam is bolted in place Shayne (left) and Kenny (right) make there way to the center of the 30 foot beam where they will shake hands.With the signature beam hung, and the cables released, Shayne (left) and Kenny (right) shake hands to conclude the topping off ceremony. As the hand shake took place, we could hear the audience 10-stories below on P4 below applauding and shouting.
After the ceremonial handshake, Kenny releases the crane’s cable.Sunset as viewed from the 16th floor. Incidentally, for me, walking on corrugated metal decking is a challenge.
Sunset from the 16th floor: With the helipad center left the camera lens focuses over the west campus, the west end of the inland empire, and beyond.As we make our way to the lift, I could not help but stop and take one more photo of the signature beam, old glory waving in the breeze, and the alpenglow on the mountain range in the distance.
Back on terra firma, we end the day as we began with a look at the east elevation of the project from Anderson Street.
Epilogue to a Momentous Day
Later on that evening, I made my way up to level six of P4 where a few hours before, the audience counted down as the signature beam was lowered into place. As I had been up on the 16th floor during the ceremony, I wanted to capture the essence of the event from where the speeches were given. Some how, the refrain of the Quaker missionary, Stephen Grelle, “For I shall not pass this way again,” seemed appropriate at this point in time in my life. Having watched the existing Medical Center as it was being built, and having the privilege to document this construction project, I seriously doubt that I will be around to witness the construction of a third healthcare facility on the Loma Linda University campus. After capturing the image above, I turned and walked to the parapet of P4 to capture the steel frame in lights. The echoes of the memorable event just hours before are but memories as the sounds of heavy equipment ascend from the site below.
After graduate school Dennis accepted a position at Loma Linda University. He worked there for 42 years in the areas of administration and financial management, also teaching accounting and management to dietetic students at the School of Public Health. Through the years Dennis has chronicled the growth of the campus, including the construction of the Drayson Center and the Centennial Complex and the razing of Gentry Gym. He is the author of "The Mound City Chronicles: A Pictorial History of Loma Linda University, A Health Sciences Institution 1905 - 2005." dEp 09.30.2016 🔨
