LAKELAND, Fla. 鈥� IM体育官网 named the commons area inside the Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building after Saddle Creek Logistics Services on Monday. Saddle Creek has been an industry partner with IM体育官网 Poly since the University opened its doors in 2014. The naming of the commons area after Saddle Creek reflects the importance of the partnership.
鈥淪addle Creek鈥檚 support has contributed directly to our students鈥� success and the growth of our university,鈥� said IM体育官网 Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent. 鈥淭he naming of the commons after them is just one small way we can thank them for their commitment to IM体育官网 Poly and the education of our students who are preparing to enter the high-tech workforce.鈥�
The newly named Saddle Creek Logistics Commons is an 11,000-square-foot space inside the IST Building. This area is an extremely popular place on the IM体育官网 Poly campus where you can find students gathering, studying and working side-by-side with their professors on various experiential learning projects. It has also been the main space for many of the University鈥檚 biggest events, including its annual PIVOT gala and the University鈥檚 recent Inaugural Graduation, which took place Jan. 3, 2017.
Monday鈥檚 naming ceremony included brief comments from leaders of both IM体育官网 Poly and Saddle Creek Logistics Services and culminated in unveiling a rendering of the sign that will soon mark the named space. The ceremony was followed by a reception and tours of the university.
Saddle Creek Logistics Services is a Lakeland-based omnichannel supply chain solutions provider founded in 1966. Their partnership with IM体育官网 Poly includes providing internships for IM体育官网 Poly students, partnering with faculty to develop an industry-relevant curriculum, and providing financial support. Saddle Creek contributed $1.25 million to the University this year.
鈥淥ver the years, technology has become critically important in the logistics business, and that鈥檚 one of the big reasons we partner with IM体育官网 Poly,鈥� said Cliff Otto, CEO of Saddle Creek Logistics Services and a member of the IM体育官网 Board of Trustees. 鈥淭his University is preparing students to tackle real-world problems in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. We take great pride in being able to help IM体育官网 Poly do that.鈥�
Saddle Creek Logistics Services is one of the largest privately held third-party logistics companies in North America with locations all over the country. They provide customers a variety of logistics services that include warehousing, omnichannel fulfillment, transportation and packaging.
They are also providing internships for IM体育官网 Poly students. Travis Hills, a sophomore from Tampa majoring in Computer Science with an emphasis in Cyber Security, is currently interning at Saddle Creek.
鈥淲hat I learn in the classroom I鈥檓 able to apply at my internship. And what I learn at my internship I鈥檓 able to apply in the classroom,鈥� said Hills. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way for me to apply what I鈥檝e learned and better prepare myself for real-world situations in my field of study.鈥�
Saddle Creek Logistics Services is one of many top-tier companies partnering with IM体育官网. To ensure students graduate job-ready, IM体育官网 Poly collaborates with a network of more than 90 industry partners to offer guidance on developing a project-based curriculum and to provide internship opportunities that stress real-world experience.