As a telecommunication and cable technician, Matthew Barnes keeps CCU connected virtually, but also forges positive connections with students, faculty, and staff, earning him triple recognition as a Chauncey’s Champion.

Barnes was born and raised in the Philadelphia area, where he discovered his passion for music at age 14. He began to produce and record music for local artists, and as he got older, his passion for music expanded. He decided to attend Full Sail University in Waterpark, Fla., where he earned an associate degree in recording arts.

“I had trouble finding a steady career path after graduation and found myself working in show production,” said Barnes. “I worked on concerts and large-scale parties all while learning the technical side of the production and eventually transitioned into telecommunications.”

Barnes worked as a cell site technician, but was laid off after six years due to budget cuts and immediately decided to move to the Grand Strand. After arriving in Myrtle Beach, he found a job with a local telecommunication company and quickly worked his way into a lead technician position. While he was working on a job in the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration building at CCU, he learned that the University was hiring and decided to apply. He officially joined the CCU family in August 2017.

Barnes keeps everyone on campus connected by setting up and maintaining network, phone, and coax connections, essential pieces to any organization’s technology infrastructure. As shared in the sentiments of those who nominated him, he really shines in the everyday upkeep of the network infrastructure around campus, troubleshooting technology problems for faculty, staff, and students. Barnes creates a positive work environment when he is called to help someone with an issue. When responding to calls to get the job done, he often goes above and beyond his job description by employing a positive, helpful attitude.

Barnes has been nominated as a Chauncey’s Champion by three different departments on campus. There is a common theme in the nominations: Barnes demonstrates all the qualities of a Chauncey’s Champion, including reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy.

“Matt is always glad to be of service,” said Brenda Bennett, administrative assistant in the Coastal Student Success Center. “When our office moved to Kearns Hall, he noticed that a metal plate was missing on the wall beside my desk and brought one to replace it. On another occasion, he was kind enough to take the time to correctly reset some ceiling tiles in our suite that someone had left open.”

All three of the nominations Barnes earned highlighted his tendency to be prompt and responsive. Employees always count on him to be there when he is needed. Ellen Jampole, administrative specialist in the Office of Academic and Community Outreach, mentioned that Barnes worked a lot in the Burroughs & Chapin Center for Marine and Wetlands Studies when her office moved there in August. He was working on reconnecting the office to the server because there was a mix-up with port numbers and she had been disconnected.

“Matt was here very early working and had me online in no time,” said Jampole. “After he got back to his office, he sent me a note, thanking me for my patience. He represents the best of the Feel the Teal spirit.”

Barnes says that keeping a positive attitude is a part of his everyday life and when it is mixed with a strong work ethic, it creates productivity. His supervisor, John Hanna, associate director of network and telecommunication services, says that Barnes is attentive to detail and always keeps the people he is working with up to date on his progress. Barnes takes initiative, creates schedules, and finds the most efficient ways to resolve problems when they arise. According to Hanna, Barnes makes it easy to be his supervisor because he is dependable, prompt, and extremely professional.

“He is really a supervisor’s model employee,” said Hanna. “I cannot speak highly enough of Matt.”

Barnes credits his father for teaching him a strong work ethic. He mixes what his father taught him with lessons he has learned throughout his career to take accountability and responsibility for the work he does.

“I always want people to think highly of me and the department I represent,” said Barnes. “People depend on me to do my job just as I depend on others to do theirs. We are a working community, and it takes each of us to diligently perform the tasks we are expected to the best of our abilities.”

According to Barnes, CCU is more than just a place to work or go to school, it is an institution with a rich history that was built from hard work. Barnes is proud to be a part of Coastal and truly loves being a part of a mission bigger than himself.

“I am proud to be a part of this young institution,” said Barnes.  “I am proud to build on what so many before me worked so hard for.”

Barnes is married to his high school sweetheart, Theresa, and they have two daughters, Brielle and Rosabella. They love to go to the beach and spend time together gaming on Nintendo or at Dave & Buster’s. Barnes is a big movie fan and also spends time reading and writing. He also likes creating and listening to reggae music because of the genre’s positivity.

Chauncey’s Service Excellence Champions are University employees (faculty or staff) who perform service-oriented actions that go above and beyond their job duties and that meet at least one dimension of service quality. These employees are recognized for outstanding performance and embody the Feel the Teal initiative. To nominate someone for Chauncey’s Champion, visit coastal.edu/feeltheteal, fill out the form and submit it. Approved nominees will receive an exclusive Chauncey’s Champion gift as well as consideration for additional recognition. View all the Chauncey’s Champions at coastal.edu/feeltheteal/champions/champs.php.