Behind the Hard Hat: Q&A with Megan Patton, the woman driving the STEM Center project forward

Harpeth Hall alumnae Adelaide Davis '79 and Kate Sherrard Chinn '93 visited the construction site of the new Dettwiller STEM Center for Girls and met Megan Patton, assistant project manager at Brasfield & Gorrie. A chemistry major from The University of Alabama, Megan has turned her STEM education into a thriving career in construction. Her presence on this site is particularly inspiring for our students and proof that STEM paths can lead to excellent opportunities.

How long have you been with Brasfield & Gorrie?
After graduating from The University of Alabama with a degree in chemistry, I kicked off my career at GMF Steel Group in Lakeland, Florida. A college running teammate who landed in Nashville told me about Brasfield & Gorrie and urged me to apply. I came on board in March 2025, and the new STEM Center at Harpeth Hall just happens to be my very first project, which makes it especially exciting.

What feature of this construction project excites you the most?
Definitely the chemistry labs! My passion began in my high school chemistry labs at Plainfield North High School in Illinois, and it feels especially meaningful to now be building labs for the next generation of students. Outfitting them with fume hoods and gas lines makes it all the more exciting. I am also eager to see the commons area come together. It will be a true showpiece for the building and a welcoming space for the girls to gather.

What has been the biggest construction challenge so far?
The stair and elevator structure has been the toughest challenge. Because the Massey Center is still occupied during construction, safety requires that we maintain two points of entry and exit at all times. To meet this need, we had to fast-track construction of a new elevator and stairwell on the back of Massey before removing the existing ones, a process that typically happens much later. That change created some logistical puzzles, like figuring out where to store an elevator on site while we wait for installation.

How much rock have you removed?
We’ve cleared about 15,500 cubic yards (21,700 tons) of rock, soil, and debris, including what used to be the tennis courts. The retention wall on the backside of the site stands more than 16 feet high, which gives you a sense of the sheer volume we have moved. (Note that once debris is removed from a construction site, it is used for: aggregates for concrete, road base and pavement, landscaping and garden design, concrete blocks and bricks, soil stabilization, or donated to other sites who need to build up rather than remove.)

What advice would you give a girl interested in construction, architecture, or engineering?
My advice is: Do not be intimidated and never stop asking questions. It is a blast (pun intended)! You may sometimes be the only woman on site, but everyone in construction is eager to share their expertise, so the best thing you can do is ask questions and stay open to learning every day.

Watch the latest construction update on the Dettwiller STEM Center for Girls