A traditional topping ceremony was held on April 24 to commemorate a milestone in the construction of USC Annenberg's Wallis Annenberg Hall. The ceremony occurred in recognition of the “topping out” of the building's structure, and was attended by Annenberg Dean Ernest J Wilson III and Director Geneva Overholser, among other Annenberg officials. Part of the ceremony included Wilson, Overholser, and other Annenberg officials, as well as construction crew members, signing the steel beam that was then placed atop the building. In keeping with the objective of the new building, the Dean's signature was accompanied by the words “Annenberg Advantage.”

The topping ceremony also included the placing of the American flag and an evergreen tree, atop the highest beam, which traditionally commemorates the completion of the building's highest point and is meant to symbolize “life, growth, and good fortune” according to Senior Project Manager Stephen A. Jenneman of Bernards Construction. Jenneman, who has worked on the project since the beginning, spoke to those assembled at the ceremony, and called the event a “reward for all of the hard workers” who have made the construction of the new Annenberg Hall progress possible, and acknowledged that it will be “a place for growth and education.”

Following the signing ceremony, the Dean, Director, and other Annenberg officials lunched at the barbecue held at the site and were guided through a tour of the building's framework.

The five-story, 88,000 square foot Wallis Annenberg Hall is scheduled for completion in Fall 2014.