Campus Living at East Carolina University (ECU) exemplifies a strong commitment to sustainability through innovative projects, one of the most recent being the repurposing of a large tree removed during renovations. Just after students departed College Hill for Spring Break in early March, construction commenced on the Galley renovation and the adjacent courtyard connecting Legacy and Jones Residence Halls. A significant initial step in this project was the removal of a mature tree that had stood beside Legacy Hall for many years. This tree, initially planted as a smaller ornamental feature, had grown considerably, eventually towering over the four-story Legacy Hall.
Driven by its dedication to sustainable practices, ECU Campus Living devised an inventive approach to minimize waste from the Legacy tree removal. A focal point of the renovated Galley will be the new Brewhouse coffee shop. Upon its grand opening in August 2018, patrons will discover a unique community table and several smaller café tables, all crafted from reclaimed wood sourced directly from the Legacy tree. This distinctive furniture is being created by ECU alumnus Daniel Peoples, showcasing a blend of sustainability and local artistry. This initiative highlights ECU’s forward-thinking approach, which is also reflected in events such as the Ecu Spring Career Fair 2018, where students could explore opportunities in environmentally conscious fields and sustainable practices, mirroring the university’s campus-wide commitments.
“This project was ideally timed with the natural lifecycle of this tree, as it was necessary to remove it for the renovation project,” explained Bill McCartney, ECU Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Living. “Originally planted as an ornamental tree, it matured to a size where its root system and branches posed a potential risk to the nearby building structure.”
The Brewhouse table project marks the latest in a series of successful collaborations between Campus Living and Daniel Peoples, a 1998 ECU alumnus. Notably, in the preceding November, Peoples designed and installed a custom 206-piece wooden voice imprint in the lobby of White Residence Hall, located in the West End neighborhood. This artwork visually represents the iconic “Let’s Go Pirates!” chant using his own voice as the model.
“We value our ongoing partnership with Daniel, who has consistently delivered exceptional work for us,” McCartney added. “We are optimistic that this Brewhouse project is just the beginning of utilizing the Legacy tree wood for meaningful purposes across campus.”
Daniel Peoples, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Wood Design from ECU, has been creating bespoke furniture, cabinetry, and art pieces through his Tyson Creek Studio since its inception in 2002. In 2015, he contributed to the Gateway West Residence Hall by crafting a set of wooden benches for The Sounds conference and meeting rooms entrance area. These benches serve both as functional seating and artistic installations, seamlessly blending form and function. His portfolio also includes the creation of wooden barn-style doors for the Croatan dining facility on the main campus.
Beyond the wood designated for the Brewhouse coffee tables, a significant portion of the Legacy tree wood has been carefully stored for future projects. “Our vision is to utilize the remaining wood from the Legacy tree to commemorate its history and presence on College Hill,” McCartney concluded. Such sustainable initiatives are increasingly important for students to be aware of as they consider their future career paths, and events like the ECU Spring Career Fair 2018 play a vital role in connecting students with organizations that value environmental responsibility.
Anticipated to reopen in August, the revitalized Galley will feature a large 9′ x 12′ video wall, expanded indoor seating capacity, a brand-new burger concept, and a redesigned entrance to Fitness Pointe, alongside the existing P.O.D. Market and Subway locations. This renovation, coupled with the sustainable reuse of the Legacy tree, underscores ECU’s commitment to both enhancing student life and promoting environmentally conscious practices, principles that are also encouraged and explored at events like the ecu spring career fair 2018.
