Ceremonial final beam covered with signatures lands atop Health Professions building

College of Health Professions graduates Bri Harris and McKenzie Yon couldn’t resist putting their signatures on the final beam for the college’s newest building at the Medical University of South Carolina.

“We were actually in town right now doing our weekend intensive for our orthopedic residency. So it's kind of like a full circle moment for us, to see a new building coming into play for the College of Health Professions,” Yon said.

 

Harris said the fast-growing college has needed more space for a while. “We've been very appreciative of the buildings we had our schooling in. But with the expansion of all of the programs, a part of the College of Health Professions, I just think it's needed and deserved. So I'm happy for them.”

A construction team hoisted the beam that Harris, Yon and many others signed to the top of the building at 74 President St., marking the end of the building’s structural phase. A small tree was attached to the beam, following a Scandinavian tradition, along with an American flag.

Zoher Kapasi, Ph.D., PT, dean of the College of Health Professions, was on hand to mark the occasion. “The topping out of this new building marks a significant milestone in our journey toward creating a state-of-the-art learning environment for our students and faculty,” he said.

The six-story building, scheduled to open in 2026, will house education and research facilities. It’s the fourth structure for the college, a needed increase for a school that has seen a 37% increase in its student population over a five-year period. The college educates future health care professionals in a range of specialties including physician assistants, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, health administrators and nurse anesthetists. 

Kapasi said the new building is more than just a physical space. “It is a testament to our commitment to academic excellence, innovation and the wellbeing of our students. It'll provide a modern and inspiring environment for learning, research and collaboration.”

 

MUSC President David Cole, M.D., said it also symbolizes something else as MUSC celebrates its bicentennial year. “This new building will serve as a reminder of our amazing 200-year commitment to academic excellence, innovation and service.”

Harris and Yon applauded with the rest of the crowd gathered to celebrate the topping out, watching construction workers secure the beam on a cool October morning. While there’s still plenty of work to go, it was a clear signal that progress was being made to support the largest college on campus in terms of student enrollment.

Kapasi said it also helped him picture a time when the building will not only be complete but filled with activity. “As we stand here today surrounded by the framework of this magnificent structure, we can vividly imagine the future of our college. We see classrooms filled with eager students, labs buzzing with research activity and staff and faculty members passionately mentoring the next generation of leaders all within the inspiring walls of this new building.”