At the topping out, Fox School Dean M. Moshe Porat was joined by Temple University President Ann Weaver Hart and Gisela and Dennis Alter, whose transformational gift of $15 million made the building possible, and Dick Fox, a member of Temple’s Board of Trustees for more than 40 years, for whom the school is named.

Other dignitaries and alumni leaders, including Stanley Merves and Raza Bokhari were also present. Stanley Merves, a Fox School Board of Visitors member and long-time donor to Temple University, named a conference room in Alter Hall. Also a member of the Fox School Board of Visitors, Dr. Bokhari named the Innovation and Entrepreneurship site in the new building.

Following construction-industry tradition, the ceremony began with the signing of the beam. In addition to the special guests listed above, all faculty, staff and students who had donated to the Campaign for Alter Hall were invited to sign. Student representatives of the Fox School’s many student professional organizations were also asked to sign.

The final beam, painted white, had a Temple flag and evergreen tree affixed to its surface. The tree symbolizes that construction reached the top without loss of life or serious injury. It also shows respect for nature’s contribution to the building and is thought to bode well for the building’s future. The tree will be planted later somewhere between Speakman and Alter halls. When the signing was completed, the beam was hoisted in place atop the building.

Temple University and the Fox School will spend more than $8 million for technology and telecommunications in the new building, including innovations in smart classroom design, one of the longest stock tickers in the United States, a trading room/business simulation center, and other technology for teaching and learning designed to prepare students by mirroring a business environment.

“These features will help prepare our students to meet the forces shaping our economy: globalization, information technology, entrepreneurship and ethics,” said M. Moshe Porat, dean of the Fox School.

After explaining the important role Alter Hall will play for both the Fox School and Temple and thanking the many people from the construction workers to the president, Dean Porat introduced Dick Fox, for whom the school is named, as key to making this day possible.

In turn, Fox introduced President Ann Weaver Hart.

“If it weren’t for Ann Weaver Hart’s efforts, we wouldn’t be topping off Alter Hall today. When she got here, she said three simple things: Why aren’t we started, what are the problems, and let’s get them solved,” said Dick Fox.

Hart described the construction noises as sounds of progress. “From my office, I can hear you and it’s very exciting. It’s like the weather forecast in the mountains. People might complain about the snow — but if it doesn’t snow, you don’t get to drink water,” she said. President Hart then introduced Dennis Alter.

Dennis Alter closed the ceremony by explaining what he had written on the beam: “To Temple students: Space and Time.” Alter said, “Our lives are made up of space and time; we are building a space called Alter Hall. But that’s not what life is all about. It’s the experiences you will have in those spaces that will make the difference.”

— Written by Holly Otterbein

For the Fox School of Business