The Log Book is a weekly roundup of human-interest stories about transportation. This week, the University of Arkansas’ undergraduate integrated supply chain management program was renamed in honor of J.B. Hunt, CFI wrapped another truck for its “She Drives CFI” initiative, and Bendix assisted in the construction of a new high school athletic facility in the community of the new headquarters.
The supply chain program at the University of Arkansas has been renamed in honor of J.B. Hunt Transport.
The University of Arkansas announced Thursday that it has renamed its undergraduate integrated supply chain management program in the Sam M. Walton College of Business the J.B. Hunt Transport Department of Supply Chain Management, as the college and the Lowell, Arkansas-based transportation and logistics company look to leverage the partnership to develop leaders for tomorrow’s supply chain needs.
J.B. Hunt also announced an extra $1.5 million commitment to the growth of the renamed supply chain undergraduate program, which is presently ranked first in the country by research firm Gartner.
“Walton College intends to be the leader in supply chain management education, research, and career readiness,” stated Matt Waller, dean of Walton College and holder of the college’s business leadership chair. “A contribution of this size from one of the world’s logistics giants has the potential to broaden our reach to outstanding students, expert teachers, and industry thought leaders.” We can advance the industry’s beneficial growth and practice by working together.”
J.B. Hunt has donated $5 million to the Walton College of Business in Fayetteville, Arkansas, during the previous two years to help the school become the leading destination for future supply chain experts. Since 2017, the firm has given the institution more than $7 million to aid with transportation and logistics initiatives.
Following that first gift in 2017, the partners established the J.B. Hunt Innovation Center of Excellence, which brings together students and researchers to develop digital solutions for various supply chains. J.B. Hunt provided a $2.25 million commitment and established a $1 million endowed fellowship to assist Walton College’s diversity, inclusion, and equity activities in 2020.
“J.B. Hunt and the University of Arkansas are shaping the future of the supply chain, not only in northwest Arkansas but across the country,” J.B. Hunt President Shelley Simpson said. “We are preparing future leaders who will evolve with the industry to solve increasing supply chain concerns by working together.” This will assist us in achieving our goal of building the most efficient transportation network in North America — and, eventually, the globe.”
CFI presents a custom-wrapped truck to a female driver.
Contract Freighters Inc. (CFI) introduced a new business vehicle with a huge wrap honoring its “She Drives CFI” program, which encourages improved career possibilities for female professional drivers, on Wednesday.
This is the fourth wrapped truck CFI has constructed for the initiative; each has been awarded to female driver ambassadors from the firm who use them to participate in local events, school programs, community engagement opportunities, truck shows, and Special Olympics convoys.
The truck was assigned to Penny Thomas, who has been driving for CFI for 15 years and has over 1.6 million safe-driving miles under her belt.
CFI presently employs over 4,000 female drivers, accounting for around 14% of its overall driving workforce. The company thinks that its “She Drives CFI” wrapped vehicles would encourage more women to get behind the wheel of a large rig and hit the road.
“These vehicles honor the professional qualifications and skills of their drivers and serve to encourage more women to pursue a career in trucking,” stated CFI President Greg Orr.
Bendix donates $25,000 to improve a local high school’s sporting facility.
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems of Avon, Ohio, announced Thursday that it has donated $25,000 to the Avon Athletic Boosters’ Project SOAR to help modernize the high school’s athletics building into a 4,400-square-foot structure outside of its stadium to house locker rooms, coaches offices, a medical training room, and an open community room.
The new coaches’ office will also be named after the automotive systems firm as a result of this gesture.
“We are very delighted to have participated with other Avon-area businesses, families, and individuals in supporting Project SOAR and its aim to advance the school’s athletic program,” said Maria Gutierrez, Bendix’s director of corporate responsibility and sustainability. “With Bendix’s recent relocation to Avon, this was a project that connected us to both our new neighborhood and the local school system, building a bond that we hope will bloom and expand in the future years.” Sports are always a terrific way to reach out to youngsters and a great method to teach them about cooperation, discipline, leadership, and a variety of other values that we value as a company, so this initiative was a natural fit.”
The Avon Athletic Boosters formed Project SOAR in 2019 to find a way to assist the school’s emerging athletic talent. The group originally intended to construct a two-story practice building but changed their minds when labor issues and construction prices became too much for them.
SOAR became aware of Bendix’s commitment to community support after the company relocated its North American headquarters to Avon, Ohio, in 2021, and contacted out immediately to help complete the new athletics facility project.
“The finest kinds of initiatives are ones where the entire community gets together to get something done, and I think this is a perfect example,” said Project SOAR co-chair Matt Canning. “We were able to bring the community, businesses, the school district, individual benefactors, as well as sweat equity and work from players and parents, together.” That’s the combination that resulted in this.”
Bendix saw it as a terrific introduction to the Avon community and what it aspires to achieve in the future.
“We have an ongoing engagement with the district,” Gutierrez explained. “We intend to sponsor further projects, such as academic programs related to STEM or sustainability.”
