The University of North Georgia's Mike Cottrell College of Business will create a new finance lab thanks to a large financial gift from investment management and financial planning firm, JT Stratford.
The JT Stratford Finance and Analytics Lab will be in the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation on UNG's Dahlonega campus.
JT Stratford Chief Executive Officer Todd Ferguson said the financial gift was in the six-figure range. Ferguson said the lab will give students real-world learning opportunities.
"The lab there is one where they're going to have access to Bloomberg terminals to be able to get real-world experience," Ferguson said.
Ferguson said it was important to support those interested in entering the finance industry by expanding education opportunities.
"We wanted to help promote people to be able to learn about the industry, and also learn about the professions inside of it," Ferguson said.
Ferguson said they specifically chose UNG as the recipient of the gift because a large number of JT Stratford employees are alumni of UNG.
Mary Gown, dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business, said they were delighted to receive the financial gift from JT Stratford.
"We are so appreciative of this gift to create the JT Stratford Finance & Analytics Lab in the new Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation," Gowan said. "The gift is a wonderful testament of the commitment of this firm to educating students for future careers in finance. We look forward to working with JT Stratford in the coming years as we grow our finance program."
