Husson gets $1.5M Harold Alfond Foundation grant for tech, innovation programs

File photo / Courtesy, Husson University Brave Williams, in foreground, is the director of iEX Center at Husson University”s School of Innovation and Technology.

Write a Comment

By Renee Cordes

Husson University has received a $1.5 million, three-year grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation to support experiential learning in fast-growing technology fields.

The grant will be used by the Bangor university's School of Technology and Innovation, and go towards faculty salaries, marketing to prospective students, and scholarships.

With the funds, Husson aims to attract more students to the school’s degree programs in extended reality, computer information systems, software development and business analytics.

This is the third Harold Alfond Foundation grant for the School of Technology and Innovation. It received $2.2 million from the foundation in 2022 and another $500,000 in 2023. Founded in 1950, the Portland-based Harold Alfond Foundation furthers the philanthropic legacy of Harold Alfond, the founder of Dexter Shoe Co.

“The Harold Alfond Foundation has been an incredible partner in building our School of Technology and Innovation programs," said Husson President Lynne Coy-Ogan.

“As we continue to build momentum and attract new students who want to be trained for jobs in emerging technologies, we are developing a new workforce that will help shape the future economy in Maine and beyond."

Located in the Husson University College of Business’s new Harold Alfond Hall, the School of Technology and Innovation is home to the iEX Center, where extended reality students and faculty work with augmented and virtual reality technologies. The goal is to develop real-world applications for educational, entertainment and business purposes.

“Husson’s cutting-edge STEM programming gives students real-world experience applying advanced technologies to business, educational and social challenges,” said Greg Powell, the Harold Alfond Foundation’s executive chairman.

He added that the foundation sees “Husson’s innovative approach as critical to providing our students and our state with talented graduates ready to leverage emerging technologies and participate in the growing STEM ecosystem.”