Georgia Southern wins IANA Academic Challenge

A Georgia Southern University undergraduate team won the Intermodal Association of North America's (IANA) ninth Intermodal EXPO Academic Challenge held in California, the association announced this week.

Each of the participating teams responded to a case that focused on analyzing volume trends from the intermodal and over-the-road perspectives. Georgia Southern's win was its first victory in the annual competition, IANA officials said in a press release.

The competition supports each institution's curriculum designed to educate students of intermodal transportation and attract them to the industry following graduation.

Other schools competing this year included the College of Charleston, SUNY Maritime College, and the universities of Maryland, North Florida, North Texas and Wisconsin-Superior.

Students representing Georgia Southern were David Vaughn, John Eubanks and Santiago Suarez.

"The academic competition continues to be an inspiration to those of us who have already made intermodal our career," said IANA President and Chief Executive Officer Joni Casey. "All the teams impressed the judges with their professionalism, preparation and analytical ability."

Since 2007, IANA has awarded more than $2.8 million to support students in university programs focused on freight and intermodal transportation.