UNT’s Long-term Relationship with NT Logistics Grows Stronger Through $200,000 Commitment

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Lynn Gravley lectures to Dr. Brian Sauser's logistics capstone class.

DENTON (UNT), Texas — University of North Texas (UNT) Logistics is among the fastest growing programs in the nation, in part because of its valuable partnerships forged with organizations like NT Logistics, headquartered in Frisco, Texas.

For nearly 20 years, NT Logistics has shown a commitment to UNT by offering internships to its students so they can apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world experiences in the field. Many of these internships have evolved into full-time careers—with UNT graduates making up more than 10% of the current NT Logistics workforce.

“It’s a great way to give back to my alma mater,” says Lynn Gravley, president and CEO of NT Logistics, ’87 UNT graduate and UNT Center for Logistics board member since 2013. “Giving students a taste and feel of some of the challenges our industry faces allows them to benefit, as well as NT Logistics.”

Gravley and NT Logistics’ active involvement in the program has also included its capstone case competitions, providing real-world challenges for students to navigate. These challenges involve professional obstacles that NT Logistics has encountered in managing their distribution networks—giving students the unique opportunity to develop practical solutions for their field of study.

The success of students in these courses, and the hands-on experiences they gain, inspired Gravley to commit to the program in a different way this year—pledging a generous $200,000 to the capstone course and its case competitions.

Gravley explains that by investing in the capstone course further, NT Logistics and the greater logistics community ultimately benefit, along with UNT students.

“It’s an opportunity to endear us more to the program and the graduates, because if we can attract the best people then we will continue to have a great company,” says Gravley. “Because kids today will become colleagues five or ten years from now.”

Ultimately, Gravley hopes that his generosity will impassion others to see the value in giving back.

“A lot of industry can do the same thing we did, because the thing that we need more than anything today is talent.”

Together, Gravley and NT Logistics have helped increase program rankings and national appeal. The program is ranked fifth in the world today, based on faculty publishing, is the seventh largest undergraduate program in the US, and hosts six-time national logistics challenge champions.

With continued support from industry professionals like NT Logistics, these statistics will continue to rise, educational opportunities for students will advance, and the supply of professionals available to the logistics industry will become even stronger.