Hoskins addresses civil engineering graduates at the University of Arkansas

Garver President and CEO Brock Hoskins addressed the newest class of University of Arkansas College of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering graduates during a virtual graduation ceremony this past weekend. A 1989 graduate of the University of Arkansas, Hoskins provided the graduates insight on how to navigate the early years of an engineering career and the benefits the profession can have on the community.

Hoskins has served Garver in a variety of roles since 1990, including leading the company’s Fayetteville, Arkansas office and serving as executive vice president and Chief Operating Officer before becoming president and CEO in 2019 during the firm’s centennial year.

Hoskins touched on the importance of seeking out mentors, building relationships with company leaders, and challenging yourself to do more than what you think is possible.

The full commencement can be viewed here.

“Very early in my career – even starting as an intern at Garver – my leaders allowed me to prove myself and take on as much responsibility as I wanted,” Hoskins said. “They rewarded me for that performance and gave me opportunities to advance my career … and be a part of building our company.”

Hoskins also noted that Garver emerged a century ago in the wake of the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. And despite Garver’s start in similarly uncertain times, the firm was able to thrive and grow strong.

“For the first time in 100 years, you are the people completing a college journey in the midst of a global pandemic,” said Hoskins. “So, use that to your advantage in whatever lies ahead. Your resiliency will help define you as a person … and in your professional careers.”

A relationship between Garver and the University of Arkansas College of Engineering has been ongoing for decades, and today, more than 100 graduates are working in Garver offices across the country. Garver also contributed $250,000 to the college’s Civil Engineering Research and Education Center (CEREC), which broke ground last year.

"We are very happy that Brock agreed to be our commencement speaker for the first virtual commencement for the Department of Civil Engineering," said Micah Hale, professor and department head of civil engineering at the University of Arkansas. "Brock is one of our most accomplished graduates and definitely someone our students should hear from. Over 120 participants heard words of wisdom from him that could be applied to both their careers and life in general."

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