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On a sunny winter day in Salem, the Salem State community celebrated a milestone years in the making: the signing of a steel beam for SSU BOLD, which will be installed in the new Meier Hall addition. For those in attendance, the event was more than a ceremonial gesture; it was the culmination of decades of planning, persistence and collaboration that will shape the university for generations to come.
President John Keenan reflected on the long journey leading to this moment. “We have been working on this project for at least 25 years,” he shared. “The wait was worth it since it is even better than we imagined.”
He was joined at the ceremony by two additional speakers—Adam Baacke, commissioner, Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance and Tripp McElroy, senior project executive, Gilbane Building Company—who shared their perspectives on the significance of the project and its impact on the campus community.
The president emphasized that such a transformative project does not happen overnight. It requires vision and commitment from countless stakeholders. Board members across multiple teams, executive committees, academic departments, administrators, and faculty have all poured their expertise, time and energy into turning this vision into reality. “A tremendous amount of collaboration has brought us to this point,” Keenan noted.
SSU BOLD is a funding priority of the university’s Meet the Moment® campaign and represents more than infrastructure; it embodies the university’s long-term commitment to innovation, sustainability and excellence. The addition of flexible labs and modern teaching environments and facilities will support current programs and will position the university at the forefront of emerging healthcare and science workforce trends. To date, over $2.2 million has been raised in support of the project in addition to a $30 million state grant that will offset building construction and renovation costs.
The beam signing also reflected a sense of continuity and legacy. Every signature becomes a permanent part of the campus’ history and acts as a reminder of the people who helped make the university’s vision tangible. For those who could not attend, others signed their names in their honor, ensuring their contributions and connection to Salem State were recognized.
Adding to the tradition, Tripp McElroy of Gilbane shared that an evergreen tree will soon be placed atop the beam for a topping-off ceremony, a practice dating back to Scandinavian and Viking communities as early as 700 AD. Originally a gift to the gods for good luck, the evergreen now symbolizes safe construction, good fortune for future occupants and respect for nature, further linking centuries of history to today’s campus. It also acknowledges Native American tradition and that no manufactured structure should be larger than a tree.
Beyond bricks and steel, SSU BOLD stands as a testament to patience and perseverance. It is a reminder that great ideas take time to flourish, and that a bold vision can redefine a campus and the lives of the Vikings who call it home.
As Salem State looks toward the ribbon-cutting ceremony in 2027, the beam signing serves as a marker of how far the campus has come, and the potential and opportunity that lie ahead.
Photos from the beam signing can be found in our Flickr album.