Signatures mark the future for ECU construction graduates

While athletes may sign letters to commit to play sports at a university, East Carolina University construction management students sign letters to commit to a career.

ECU’s Department of Construction Management hosted Barnhill Contracting Company for a ceremonial signing in which the business gained four new ECU students and graduates as employees.

Matt Turner, Barnhill Building Group vice president and an ECU graduate, speaks during the signing ceremony.

“It’s a big day,” said Matt Turner, Barnhill Building Group vice president and an ECU graduate. “It’s a little surreal. Close to 17 years ago, I sat in that seat myself.”

Preston Barker, Markus Coats, Garison Medlin and Gray Shane sat at a table, signed their paperwork and then switched their ECU construction hard hats for those from Barnhill.

“I’ve been pursuing Barnhill hard for the past year,” said Shane, who is from Greenville. “It’s a highly recognized company, and I worked really hard to get on with them. It’s really good to see my hard work pay off.”

Medlin, from Roanoke Rapids, interned with Barnhill and liked what he saw in the company. That’s why he jumped at the chance to become a project engineer on a Dare County school construction project.

“I got to see what Barnhill was about,” he said of the internship. “I got my foot in the door with them. I aligned with them on the culture and values that they have as a company and the people who work at Barnhill.”

For Barker, it’s like he never left ECU. The Roxboro native took a position with Barnhill as a project engineer for ECU’s new Center for Medical Education.

“I’m super excited to come back and work on a project at the school that taught me a lot of the things that I know,” Barker said.

He said he is proud to work on a project that will help improve the health of so many in eastern North Carolina.

“It’s definitely cool to have meaning behind what you do,” Barker said. “I think that makes it all the better, not to discredit other projects, but it’s very cool to be able to see what you build helps people.”

Coats, who graduates in December, also finds special meaning in the work he’ll be doing for Barnhill.

“I’m going to be working on the Clayton High School rebuild, and that’s where I graduated high school,” he said. “It’s going to be pretty fun. I’m looking forward to it.”

From left, Preston Barker, Garison Medlin, Markus Coats and Gray Shane sign their paperwork to work at Barnhill Contracting Company.

His work on the school presents a unique opportunity.

“It would be a joy for my kids to go to a high school that I went to and one that I built,” he said.

The signing ceremony also celebrated the long-standing partnership between ECU’s Department of Construction Management and Barnhill.

“Barnhill has been a dedicated supporter of the college for decades, spanning over 30 years on the construction management advisory board as well as service to the CET advancement council and in many other ways,” said Dr. Stephanie George, interim dean of the College of Engineering and Technology (CET). “Their engagement and leadership have helped to shape the construction management department, shape the college and (they) have opened the door to our students.”

Barnhill employs more than 50 ECU alumni.

“Your commitment to hiring our graduates and your generous support of scholarships demonstrate your belief in the value of education and your investment in the future of the construction industry,” Dr. Jerry Gao, chair of the Department of Construction Management, said during the ceremony. “Thank you for being a steadfast partner and for helping our students turn their academic achievements into professional opportunities. Together, we are building more than just careers. We are building futures. Let’s continue to work hand in hand to elevate our program, empower our students and strengthen the ties between academia and industry.”

Turner thanked the students for their commitment to their education and for their desire to work for Barnhill.

“You are the next leaders,” he told them during the ceremony. “You are the next innovators. You are the next entrepreneurs, the next great generation of great builders, and you’re going to do some fascinating things, and I look forward to being a part of it.”