LAKELAND, Fl.鈥� Almost 100 community and business leaders and University supporters came together to celebrate IM体育官网鈥檚 Founders Day on Friday, April 19, 2019.
Even though the festivities were brought indoors by bad weather, spirits were high as Dr. Randy Avent, IM体育官网 Poly president, presented Saddle Creek Logistic Services with the University鈥檚 first annual #ChangeMaker Award.
鈥淭his award honors the significant impact Saddle Creek has had on our University and the contributions they鈥檝e made to our success in so many ways,鈥� said Avent. 鈥淪addle Creek embodies what it means to be a partner.鈥�
Cliff Otto, Saddle Creek鈥檚 CEO and vice-chair of IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 Board of Trustees, accepted the award on behalf of his organization. Avent noted that Otto鈥檚 early vision for the transformative impact IM体育官网 Poly could have on the region was instrumental in making the University a reality.
Saddle Creek鈥檚 financial support, particularly scholarship investments, have made it possible for students to experience the life-changing education provided at IM体育官网 Poly.
鈥淭o me 鈥� IM体育官网 Poly is more than a university, it鈥檚 a family. My IM体育官网 Poly story would not have been possible without my scholarship,鈥� said Saivamsi 鈥淰amsi鈥� Hanumanthu, who received a scholarship funded in part by Saddle Creek. 鈥淚n my time here, I鈥檝e learned that happiness is not what you do, but rather, why you do it. IM体育官网 Poly has helped me find my why.鈥�
IM体育官网 Poly students are also helping local employers, like Saddle Creek, find the future talent pipeline they need.
Donna Slyster, Saddle Creek鈥檚 CIO and IM体育官网 Poly Foundationboard member calls IM体育官网 Poly a 鈥渇uture generator鈥� and is proud her organization is one of the industry partners that invests and advocates for IM体育官网鈥檚 newest and only STEM-focused state university.
鈥淲hen you combine the bright, new talent coming out of the University with the experienced logistics we provide, it鈥檚 just magical,鈥� Slyster said. 鈥淭he kind of students that come out of IM体育官网 Poly are critical for the growth of the I-4 High Tech Corridor, and for the growth of our region.鈥�
Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Assistant Director of Communications
863-874-8450