BANGOR — Husson University held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 29 to mark the official opening of the Ronan Center for Financial Technology on its campus outside the Darling Learning Center.
The facility features two LED stock ticker displays that show current market activity in real time. The new center also includes two large interactive touchscreens that provide students with the ability to research stock, mutual fund and bond investment performance. With just the touch of a finger, students can access historical data for U.S. and international companies.
In addition, the Ronan Center for Financial Technology contains two financial market “walls” that allow students to see the impact breaking news has on the financial markets. Also included are four world clocks that show the time in New York, London, Dubai and Beijing
“The facility has a unique design,” said Husson University College of Business Dean Marie Hansen. “While traditional classrooms have a ‘front’ and ‘back’, this space allows instructors to stand with any of the walls behind them or deliver presentations from the center of the room. Creating a facility with a capacity for 360-degree learning is another example of how Husson University delivers innovative, groundbreaking, professional education.”
The new center was made possible through the generosity of Bob and Linda Ronan. Bob is a retired senior vice president of technology with Fidelity Investments. Linda is a vice president in Fidelity’s technology area. In discussing their reasons for helping to create this facility, Bob Ronan said, “Our hope for this center is that it creates another opportunity at Husson University for students to utilize experiential learning to enhance their classroom experience. I fully expect that one day we’ll have successful graduates who, when they think about their Husson experience, will remember the time they spent in this center.”
Bob Ronan graduated from Husson University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1979. Raised in Orono, Maine, he also holds an master’s degree in business from Carnegie-Mellon University. He is vice chairman of the Husson University board of trustees.
The Ronan family has a long history of educational accomplishments at Husson University. From 1966-1973, Bob’s father, Robert K. Ronan, was a professor of accounting at Husson. A Korean war veteran and partner at Donahue, Haverlock and Ronan in Camden, the Ronan family patriarch died in 1974 at the age 38.
Bob’s brother John K. Ronan graduated from Husson with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business in 2011. John’s wife, Tracy L. Ronan, earned a bachelor’s degree from Husson in accounting from Husson.
Bob’s brother-in-law, Mark A. Silk, graduated from Husson with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2005. And Bob’s nephew, David E. Silk, is scheduled to complete a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in December.
“As a champion of education and a member of our board of trustees, Bob is helping our students prepare for professional success in today’s competitive, global economy. His support led to the creation of a new, innovative educational facility that in the coming years will educate the next generation of accomplished financial professionals and investors,” said Dr. Robert A. Clark, president of Husson University.
For information, visit Husson.edu.