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On September 10, Cannon’s Upper School students, faculty, and staff gathered in the Quad for a special beam signing ceremony, an event that—quite literally—allowed the community to leave their mark on the future of Cannon.
The ceremonial beam, soon to be installed within the Gossage building expansion, symbolized a pivotal step in Cannon’s ongoing campus transformation through A Flourishing Future, a comprehensive campaign aligned with the school's mission and Campus Master Plan. The expansion reflects Cannon’s commitment to cultivating an environment where all students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
“This beam represents more than just steel and structure. It marks a milestone in Cannon’s story,” said Head of School Mike Drew. “Our students are helping shape the future of Cannon, and this expansion is being built with them and for them.”
The 12,500-square-foot renovation and expansion of the Upper School includes flexible learning spaces, state-of-the-art science labs, and new student gathering areas designed to support collaboration, exploration, and engagement. The project also includes the addition of dedicated Academic Resource Centers (ARCs) in the Lower, Middle, and Upper School divisions, reinforcing Cannon’s commitment to individualized academic support and independent learning.
During the event, students shared what they were most excited about, from the prospect of larger classrooms and new lab spaces to a long-awaited senior lounge. For many, the experience of signing the beam was not only fun, but also a tangible connection to Cannon’s legacy and future.
This wasn’t Cannon’s first beam signing. At the Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony over the weekend, 2025 honoree Davis Kiger ’15 recalled signing a similar beam during his 2013 visit day as a prospective student. “It would’ve been pretty weird if I hadn’t ended up coming to Cannon after that,” he joked.
As the steel beam awaits installation in the Gossage building, it carries the names and the spirit of the Cannon community into the next chapter of A Flourishing Future.