When Colton Cox headed to Mississippi State University in 2017, he followed the maroon-paved path of his parents, grandparents, brothers and countless other family members. But for the Brandon native who enjoyed working with his hands, MSU’s appeal went beyond family tradition. He was drawn to the Department of Building Construction Science, a studio-based program within the College of Architecture, Art, and Design that offered hands-on learning and real-world preparation.
For Cox and other department alumni, that education and career readiness led to a career with Flintco, a national leading construction company. Inspired by the Bulldogs among its ranks, the company has now established scholarship gifts to support future generations.
Danny Moeschle, vice president and area manager of Flintco’s Memphis, Tennessee, office and a more than 30-year veteran of the company, praises what MSU’s programming provides the industry.
“Flintco has had great success recruiting students from the building construction program at Mississippi State,” Moeschle said. “They tend to be well-prepared problem solvers and critical thinkers who also have a work ethic that aligns with our culture.”
Established in July within the College of Architecture, Art and Design, the Flintco Endowed Scholarship and the Flintco Annual Scholarship will support students from the Memphis area who are enrolled in the college and maintain good academic standing. These scholarships will strengthen the pipeline of career-ready professionals entering the construction industry.
“Our investment in the program is a way to give back in honor of the people who are already on the Flintco team and to provide opportunities for future success stories,” Moeschle said.
Cox’s success with Flintco solidified the company’s decision to establish the gift and support what they see from the program.
Top L-R: Campbell Clinic, Fedex Forum, Bartlett High School. Bottom: University of Memphis Pedestrian Bridge/Parking Garage
MSU’s building construction science program is one of only two of its kind in the country and is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education. With a curriculum rooted in collaboration, technical expertise and leadership, the program prepares graduates to manage both the business and the practice of construction. Students study in a simulated office environment called a studio, where they integrate classroom knowledge and problem-solving for real projects.
Cox quickly discovered the value of that immersive approach. He said professors pushed him to grow not only in technical knowledge but also in dependability, accountability and communication. Trips to active job sites in major cities such as Chicago, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., offered him a glimpse of what his future could look like.
Cox first met representatives from Flintco at an MSU career fair, which led to a summer internship with the company in 2018. Assigned to the renovation of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, he coordinated with trade partners, tracked job progress and kept daily logs.
“Although the internship was only three months long, seeing constant progress on the jobsite and a building come to life was very rewarding,” Cox said.
His performance impressed Flintco leaders, who offered him a full-time position before his senior year. Cox returned after graduation in 2020 and quickly advanced through the company’s ranks.
He is now a project manager working on the team in charge of Flintco’s largest-ever project—an $850 million-plus expansion of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
“Colton is the perfect example of being able to make an immediate impact and being in control of your career path at Flintco,” Moeschle said. “Since joining Flintco, he has sought out and accepted progressively more challenging work and has become an integral part of our team.”
For Cox, knowing his story helped inspire Flintco’s gift is both humbling and affirming.
“It shows me the true value Flintco holds for its interns and the people it chooses to hire and develop,” Cox said. “I’m grateful to be part of such a great team and a company that invests just as much in its people as in its work.”
For MSU, partnerships like this underscore the long-term value of connecting industry leaders with academic programs. By investing in students, Flintco ensures not only the growth of its own company but also the advancement of the construction field as a whole.
“Emerging technologies are impacting many industries and construction is no exception,” Moeschle said. “However, the need for highly trained people will never be obsolete. We are making an investment in the future of people choosing our industry, which will benefit Flintco and the construction industry for years to come”.
As Cox continues to build his career, he remains grateful for the program that gave him his start.
“I hope to see the building construction program continue to mold the next generation of construction managers and workers,” he said.
By Shun Pounds, Photos Submitted