LOWELL, Ark., – J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. and the University of Arkansas have announced that the Sam M. Walton College of Business program for studying supply chain has officially been renamed the J.B. Hunt Transport Department of Supply Chain Management.
Leadership from both organizations were at J.B. Hunt’s corporate campus on Aug. 11 to discuss how their efforts are making Northwest Arkansas an epicenter for developing tomorrow’s industry and its leaders.
“J.B. Hunt and the University of Arkansas are shaping the future of supply chain, not just in Northwest Arkansas, but across the country,” Shelley Simpson, president of J.B. Hunt, said. “Together, we are preparing future leaders who will grow with the industry to meet evolving supply chain challenges. This will help us achieve our mission of creating the most efficient transportation network in North America, and ultimately the world.”
To extend support of their continued collaboration, J.B. Hunt also announced a new $1.5 million commitment to Walton College that will help enhance the development of the J.B. Hunt Transport Department of Supply Chain Management.
Since 2017, J.B. Hunt has gifted $7 million to the University of Arkansas to advance innovative, supply chain-focused initiatives, with $5 million of that dedicated to enabling Walton College’s supply chain program over the past two years.
“J.B. Hunt and the Walton College have jumpstarted numerous initiatives to study factors such as inclusion, sustainability, thought leadership, education and innovation,” a news release stated. “With a long-term vision of shaping the future of integrated supply chain management, their efforts focus on ensuring the industry has a modern workforce with professionals that can grow with the industry to meet evolving supply chain challenges, blending logistics expertise with advancing technology.”
Matt Waller, dean of the Walton College and holder of the Sam M. Walton Leadership Chair in Business, said that the Walton College “aims to be the leader in supply chain management education, research and career readiness,. A gift of this magnitude from one of the global leaders in logistics can expand our reach to talented students, expert faculty and industry thought leaders. Together, we can advance the industry’s positive growth and practice.”
Waller presented Simpson with a plaque recognizing the department’s new name and the college’s appreciation for J.B. Hunt.
The department named after the transportation industry leader will house the undergraduate integrated supply chain management program recently ranked number one in North America by Gartner. The department’s graduate program ranked second.
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
