Brian Moore, professor and chair of the Department of Construction Management at Kennesaw State University (KSU), has been named the inaugural Brent Scarbrough and Company Endowed Chair in Construction Management. This appointment marks the first endowed faculty position on KSU’s Marietta Campus.
Endowed chairs provide long-term support for faculty research, teaching, and service. The $1 million endowment, established through a gift from Brent Scarbrough, an alumnus of the former Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU), and his company, aims to strengthen the department’s ability to recruit and retain leading faculty. It will also fund industry-focused research and expand learning opportunities for students.
“Endowed positions are one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a faculty member,” said Hazem Rashed-Ali, dean of the College of Architecture and Construction Management. “They are a significant help in recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty and providing them with sustained support for their scholarly activities. Most importantly, this chair demonstrates our commitment to increasing the national prominence of the college and the university.”
Moore has led the Department of Construction Management for more than three years. He described the endowment as a significant milestone for the program. “I was overjoyed and so proud for the Department of Construction Management,” Moore said. “Support from the endowment will empower students to participate in national competitions, offset study abroad costs, and provide faculty with resources for professional development and research that might otherwise be out of reach. This is a transformative investment that will allow our students and faculty to be on even larger stages in the discipline.”
The endowment is intended not only to support faculty and student enrichment but also to bring industry experts to campus, fund applied research initiatives, and purchase equipment that keeps KSU’s labs up to date with industry standards. The department chair has flexibility in allocating funds to address emerging needs that benefit both students and faculty.
KSU’s Department of Construction Management was established in 1995 and is currently the largest program of its kind in Georgia. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees designed to prepare students for leadership positions in the construction industry, one of the fastest-growing sectors in the state. The establishment of the endowed chair highlights the department’s growth and its increasing collaboration with industry partners.
Moore emphasized the broader impact of such industry support: “This kind of industry support will be a catalyst for others to see how they too can impact future generations of construction industry leaders,” he said. “Brent’s career path and generosity show our students that they, too, can make profound impacts on others as their careers flourish.”
Brent Scarbrough, founder and CEO of Brent Scarbrough and Company, started his business as a junior at SPSU, which merged with KSU in 2015. The endowed chair represents his commitment to supporting future generations in construction management. “Southern Polytechnic State University gave me the foundation to start my company, and I’ve never forgotten what that meant for my career,” Scarbrough said. “This endowed chair is my way of giving back and helping ensure that today’s students have the same chance to learn, grow, and make their mark on the industry. I hope this gift inspires others to invest in the future of construction management education at KSU.”
