PUSHING FORWARD

Myles Berry pushes forward, staying positive and finding strength in his faith

As Myles Berry waded through high school, he considered his future and received some sage advice from his father, Harold, a stylist and salon owner in Greensboro.

“He had some clients who had careers in supply chain, and he said, ‘Hey Myles, check it out, research it and see if it’s something you’re interested in,’” Berry said. “I always had a business mind. I was always good in math, and I liked to see how businesses operated, and once I did my research, I knew that it was something that I wanted to do.”

A standout football player in high school, Berry was considering offers from several universities but when he learned ECU had a distribution and logistics program in the College of Engineering and Technology, he was hooked.

“After touring and coming on an official visit, I knew that this was the place for me,” he said. “It was close to home so if Mom and Dad wanted to come see me or come to a game, they were close enough, but it was also far enough to where I wasn’t at home.”

Berry is set to graduate on Dec. 17 with a bachelor’s degree in distribution and logistics, but his journey at ECU won’t be complete. He plans on seeking a master’s in technology management while continuing to play football for the Pirates, applying the time management skills he learned quickly to balance academics, athletics and his personal life.

“I came here as an early enrollee, so that gave me a semester to get adjusted on how to manage football and academics. It takes time to learn,” said Berry, who’s been an honor roll student for four years. “Really, you just have to have a schedule and manage your time well. There are study halls and different things in place for you to succeed, but you can’t be distracted. You have to be focused.”

Berry has been focused on success both on the field and off since his arrival at ECU. He’s a starting linebacker for the Pirates, having played in every game since his freshman season in 2018. Off the field, he’s a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and has supported the efforts of ECU’s distribution and logistics faculty, staff and students to combat food insecurity both on and off campus. He’s also volunteered with school supply drives and flood relief efforts.

At the request of his coaches, Berry also spent time with a child who was in the hospital with a fatal illness.

“Just being able to be there for him and come in and talk football or video games with him, I could tell that it really was a blessing for him,” Berry said. “That was great. We do a lot for ECU, and I love giving back to the community, whether that’s going into the schools or doing food drives or helping the less fortunate. I just want to make a difference.”

Berry faced the biggest challenge of his life earlier this year on Sept. 16 when his father died.

“It’s tough, but I just have to keep moving forward and keep being positive because that’s what he would want,” Berry said. “We used to have this thing we would say: Be strong in the Lord. That can mean a lot of different things depending on the situation you’re in, but for me, that means to be confident, carry yourself like a leader and be a leader, and be tough mentally and physically.”

He called upon that strength on the football field just two days later when the Pirates rallied for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to beat Marshall 42-38. In that game, Berry was involved in seven tackles and was presented the game ball in the locker room after the contest.

“Just winning that game and getting that fourth-quarter win, it was a statement win and it meant a lot of different things to me,” he said. “With winning on the road and losing him, it just meant a lot.”

Berry said he is looking forward to commencement.

“I definitely plan on walking and having my family with me,” he said.

As he approaches commencement, Berry points to teaching instructor Natalie Aman and assistant professor Dr. Mark Angolia among the people to thank.

“Those two helped me early on with career fairs, my class schedule and different things that they knew that I needed to be successful in my college career,” Berry said. “And they’re just really good people. They’ve been a blessing to me in more ways than they know.”

Berry will receive his degree in industrial distribution and logistics, but plans to continue his education at ECU with a master’s in technology management. (Photo by Cliff Hollis)

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