Beam Me Up

The James B. Hunt Jr. Library on Centennial Campus will move a step closer toward its lofty aspirations with a topping out ceremony today at 2 p.m.

The campus community is invited to watch as the construction team moves the last two beams into place atop the building. The beams have been signed by the chancellor, staff members from the libraries and Institute for Emerging Issues who will work in the Hunt Library, and the engineers, architects and trades people for the project.

In a construction tradition that dates back to the eighth century, workers will place a small evergreen on the building to symbolize growth and to bring good luck. Fittingly, a recycled Christmas tree will be used for the Hunt Library, which is expected to receive a LEED Silver designation for environmentally conscious design from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Sitting on one of the highest points on campus, the building will offer views of the Raleigh skyline to the east and Lake Raleigh to the south when it is completed in 2012.

Here’s a preview of futuristic features inside the library.

A Courtly Campaign

Basketball coaches Kellie Harper and Sidney Lowe are challenging Wolfpack fans to help raise $35,000 to name a high-profile group study room in honor of student athletes.

The Threes for Hunt challenge lets fans make a pledge for each three-pointer the men and women’s basketball teams score this season. The coaches suggest donating $.25 to $10 per three pointer. (If you’re budgeting, last year’s combined total for both teams was 357 treys.)

Threes for Hunt complements last year’s Touchdowns for Hunt campaign by Coach Tom O’Brien, which raised money for the study room.