Charlton and Deven Barker

Why Auburn Engineering?

Deven – I had 2 older sisters to graduate from Auburn so my family bleeds orange and blue. I chose to major in Mechanical Engineering because of my appreciation of Math and Science and also because I enjoyed repairing and rebuilding anything I could get my hands on. 

Charlton – I knew that Auburn was a great school with an excellent engineering program.  I played basketball, so finding a good fit academically and athletically was important to me.  Once I visited the campus and met members of the Auburn family, I was hooked from that moment on.

How did you meet? If you met on campus, could you tell us your Auburn story?

Deven – Charlton and his teammates would campout on the table in front of the Haley Center in between classes. That’s where I first noticed him. From this point, our recollections differ drastically but ultimately we began dating our junior year and we’ve been together ever since.

Charlton – Deven’s version of the story is good but mine is the truth!  The story may have involved me seeing Deven in front of the Haley Center, the Engineering building, Parker Hall, Foy Union and any other location on campus :)  Either way, our paths crossed and we’ve been blessed together since then.

Where are you now? Tell us about your engineering journey after graduation!

Deven – I was a co-op student and Kim Durbin helped me to interview with the US Army Aviation & Missile Research Development and Engineering Center. It was for a position at Redstone Arsenal which is in my hometown of Huntsville, AL.  It was a life changing opportunity. From the beginning of my co-op career my tuition was paid for and I had a job as soon as I graduated. I worked for the US Army as a Project Engineer until Charlton and I married in 2008.  Since then I’ve been a Program Manager in the oil and gas industry, an Engagement Leader at a human capital management firm and now I’m an Account Executive for a managed services company in Atlanta.

Charlton – Upon graduation I was offered a position with Southern Company in Birmingham as a Software Developer.  This was the first time I experienced how the Auburn connection was deeply embedded across professional industries.  My technology career has grown within Southern in roles of increasing progression across its operating companies.  I now have responsibility for a portfolio of applications for Southern Company Gas in Atlanta and lead both onshore and offshore teams.  My time at Auburn prepared me to work hard, lead with integrity, and maintain focus on family and the values that guide us each and every day.