Civil engineering grad found diverse opportunities at ASU, both academic and social

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2021 graduates.

For engineering major Hartley "Tre" Pinn III, one of the reasons he initially chose to attend ASU was the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. These are cornerstones built into ASU’s charter.

“The ASU campus is so diverse,” he said. “I was bound to find something to get involved in, whether that be academic or social.”

For Pinn, it turned out to be both. He joined the American Society for Civil Engineers, served as the secretary for the Civil Engineering Honor Society and actively participated in the Medallion Scholarship program all four years. He also received the the New American University Scholarship. The Mesa, Arizona, resident graduates this May with a degree in civil engineering from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

The Medallion Scholarship Program, one of the ASU Alumni Association’s signature scholarship initiatives, especially enhanced Pinn’s experience at ASU. The scholarship — which is a financial scholarship funded in part by the sales of ASU’s collegiate license plate — also includes a leadership program that incorporates service and academic excellence.

“Through the program, I was able to meet and form connections with so many people that I have relied on heavily throughout my time at ASU,” he said. Some of his fondest memories of the Medallion Scholarship Program included driving to Flagstaff for the annual team-building retreat and joining fellow scholars at the local Snooze after early morning events.

The connections he has made with Medallion scholars and other students confirm for Pinn that ASU was the right university for him. He shared that the most important thing he learned at ASU is the value of relationships: “The connections I have made here are priceless and will benefit me for the rest of my life."

Pinn began his academic career at ASU as a software engineering major while also knowing that he’s always been mesmerized by structures like the Golden Gate Bridge and Shanghai Tower.

“It wasn’t until after my first semester as a software engineering major that I realized I should have followed this obsession for building while still applying my love for applied mathematics and physical sciences,” he said. Pinn then switched his major to civil engineering to accommodate both passions.

After changing his major, Pinn became even more passionate about his future profession. He remembers Keith Hjelmstad, his dynamics professor in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, giving a short lecture that he will never forget.

“(Dr. Hjelmstad) talked about how the civil engineering profession is not about the money, and at the end of the day, it’s all about how you can improve people’s lives and keep them safe,” he said. After graduating in May, Pinn plans on working in a full-time role for McCarthy Building Companies as a project engineer.