History

History

In the mid-nineties a coalition of North Texas logistics educators and practitioners came together to discuss means for broadening regional educational opportunities to meet the demand of broader concepts in the industry such as logistics and supply chain management and an industry workforce able to keep pace with such changes. Due to a high level of enthusiasm, reflecting the importance of the task and the dedication of the growing number of members of that group, the Texas Logistics Education Foundation (TLEF) was incorporated in late 1995 as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its mandate was to enhance the quality and scope of logistics education thereby insuring its availability to present and future Texas logistics professionals.  The TLEF was also known for many years as the Center for Logistics Education and Research or simply the Logistics Center but now has a more encompassing name of Center for Logistics & Supply Chain Management, or C-LSCM for short.

The Foundation operates under an executive board of directors and committees whose members volunteer their time. Primary efforts to date, a significant part of which have been directed toward the establishment and support of logistics programs at the University of North Texas (UNT), have been concentrated in the following areas:

• Curriculum development assistance and political support which led to expedited approval by the State of Texas of a major in Logistics within UNT's G. Brint Ryan College of Business;
• A popular internship program providing students with on-the-job training as well as fulfilling a degree requirement.
• Commitment of direct scholarship funds to leading logistics students. Many C-LSCM scholars who have graduated to date received multiple job offers and are now working for major logistics providers and users. In recognition of the success of the Foundation's scholarship program, several industry groups are directing their own scholarship funds through the C-LCSM.
• Just over three hundred students are currently enrolled or graduated under the Logistics degree plan at UNT.