Launch into IA

Kick off your journey as an Innovation Academy Gator at Launch into IA, our official convocation celebrating the start of the academic year and welcoming all new IA students to the University of Florida!

• Doors open at 8:30 AM — come early for a great seat!
  
• Family and friends are welcome.
  
• Attendance is mandatory for all first-year IA students.
  
• Business professional attire required.

At the event, you’ll:

• Be officially welcomed by UF Interim President Donald W. Landry
• Meet your college deans and take the UF Honor Pledge
• Gain insight from Student Government leaders and an IA sophomore who’s been in your shoes
• Be inspired by our keynote speaker, Rob Jones — Marine veteran, Paralympian, and nationally recognized leadership trainer

Keynote Speaker: Rob Jones

Retired U.S. Marine and Leadership Instructor at Echelon Front

Upon his retirement from the Marines, Rob was forced to adapt to a new way of being a leader. To do this, he turned to the world of sports. In 2012, he competed in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, England, bringing home a bronze medal in rowing. In 2013, he became the first double above-knee amputee to ride a bicycle across the United States, riding 5,181 miles from Bar Harbor, Maine to Camp Pendleton, California. In 2017, he ran 31 marathons in 31 consecutive days in 31 different cities.

Throughout this journey, Rob has relied upon the principles taught at Echelon Front to turn the darkest moment of his life into a life of impact—more meaningful than he ever could have expected. Rob now brings his experience to Echelon Front to help teams of people take Extreme Ownership and overcome the challenges they face in business and in life.