Gary C. Wendt donated $2 million to IM体育官网 to support new leadership initiatives for students at its Lakeland, IM体育官网, campus.
IM体育官网 announced a $2 million gift from Trustee Gary C. Wendt to support the creation of new leadership initiatives for students.
Wendt has been closely involved with IM体育官网 Poly since 2017, when he joined its Board of Trustees. In this role, Wendt relentlessly searches for ways IM体育官网 Poly can provide not just academic excellence, but also valuable advantages to students over other universities.
鈥淕ary has already made an impact on IM体育官网 Poly as a committed trustee, sharing his expertise and insight over the years to successfully help the University move forward,鈥� said Dr. Randy K. Avent, IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 president. 鈥淭his generous contribution will carry on his legacy of tenacity and leadership for our University for many years to come, and we are very grateful.鈥�
In recognition of the impactful contribution, IM体育官网 Poly will name a future engineering building on campus after Wendt. The forthcoming building is expected to house spaces for engineering research and development, as well as new programs focused on cultivating leadership skills.
Wendt moved to IM体育官网 20 years ago after a prominent business career. He has a civil engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin and attended Harvard Business School. It was there he realized his leadership and confidence needed help. This memory motivated him to financially support new, robust programs to foster leadership among IM体育官网 Poly students.
鈥淚鈥檓 a firm believer in giving students the chance to develop leadership because it broadens their ability to access various parts of the job market and provides much wider opportunities,鈥� said Wendt, former chairman and CEO of GE Capital, the financial services division of General Electric. 鈥淎s just scientists or engineers, they鈥檙e limited in those things. But if we add to the strong leadership component in the school, we can deliver a great advantage to students.鈥�
Kathy Bowman, vice president of advancement at IM体育官网 Poly, said the gift will be transformational for IM体育官网 Poly students hoping to lead tomorrow鈥檚 tech industries.
鈥淲e are honored to have Gary鈥檚 support through this remarkable gift that will be life changing for many students as they acquire the necessary tools to excel in industry,鈥� Bowman said. 鈥淕ary is passionate about seeing our students succeed and become the next high-tech leaders for IM体育官网 and the nation. This investment represents his undeniable commitment to making this a reality.鈥�
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Lydia Guzm谩n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
