Bangor Savings Bank on Tuesday announced it will give $500,000 to Husson University to help fund construction of a new College of Business building. The bank will disburse the money over a 5-year period.
In a news release, the bank said the donation builds on a successful collaboration that has seen 24 Bangor Savings employees earning a master’s degree from Husson, which has its main campus in the Queen City.
“Husson University has had a positive impact on the Bangor Savings Bank workforce, and they have an impressive track record of providing a quality business education,” said bank President and CEO Bob Montgomery-Rice. “We are happy to support the College of Business building project, and look forward to seeing more bank employees become Husson graduates.”
Robert A. Clark, Husson’s president, said the gift “will help the university provide our local business community with the educated workforce and business resources they need to grow our local economy.”
About one in 10 Bangor Savings employees have a Husson degree or have attended classes at the school.
In 2018, Husson’s College of Business worked with Bangor Savings to customize a MBA program for bank employees. Bangor Savings paid for the program, and Husson faculty taught classes at bank locations.
In the release, Husson also said it plans to help Bangor Savings employees maximize opportunities for credit transfer or work experience and to tailor the best program for each employee, while the bank is increasing the number of college courses it reimburses each year for program participants.
“With certificates, undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees in business, both online and in the classroom, Husson is dedicated to helping today’s employees and leaders achieve career success,” said Marie Hansen, dean of Husson’s College of Business.
She added that both institutions are committed to supporting education and the community and that “we appreciate and value their partnership.”