A new investment lab at Northeastern State University’s College of Business & Technology is expected to give students an even greater edge as they pursue careers in finance and investing.

NSU officials will celebrate the grand opening of the new Battenfield-Carletti Investment Lab at 1:30 p.m. on April 14.

“This hands-on, real-world opportunity will connect theory with practical experience, placing participants (i.e. our students) at the forefront of asset management after graduation. “said NSU Finance instructor Joe LaTurner. “After graduation, the background and skills gained during the lab experience will enable NSU students to be competitive in the job market.”

The construction of the new investment laboratory cost approximately $100,000. Studio 45 Architects designed the investment lab and Zenith Construction Co. handled its construction. Zach Henley, NSU’s Acting Deputy Director of Capital Projects, oversaw the entire project.

As part of the project, contractors installed an up-to-date color ticker screen and more than a dozen computer terminals. In addition, students will have access to current economic and financial data and business news.

The lab will also have multi-user licenses for Morningstar Direct, a global investment analytics platform that will give students access to investment expertise from around the world, and StockTrak, a global portfolio simulation and Trading Room.

“Using the latest investment software platforms and learning tools demanded by employers, students can gain expertise in applied portfolio management,” said Dr. Julia Kwok, Professor of Finance at NSU. “The Investment Lab will allow interested students to follow a more rigorous investment program and broaden the interest of those less familiar with what finance has to offer as a career.”

NSU Foundation Executive Director Peggy Glenn said that as part of the “Preserve our past. ENSUre Our Future” fundraising campaign, funds have been raised to support a multipurpose commercial lab at NSU.

Glenn said the foundation received significant donations for the lab from NSU alumni Dr. Harold and Mary Battenfield and Janice Carletti, the widow of Dr. John Carletti, to further the investment lab project. Glenn said the investment lab is just the beginning, as fundraising continues to increase support for ongoing subscription fees and help establish a student-run fund.

Although Drs. Battenfield and Carletti were an orthopedic surgeon and a dentist respectively, they realized the importance that a solid business background played in opening and running their own healthcare practices.

“An investment lab for the College of Business and Technology has been part of our vision for several years,” said College of Business and Technology Dean Dr. Janet Buzzard. “We are very grateful for this gift of making this a reality for our students.”

LaTurner said students will begin using the lab in the fall 2022 semester. He added that the lab will be used by courses that are integral to supporting the Student-Run Investment Fund, such as courses on investments, analysis of financial statements, securities derivatives, investment strategies, portfolio management and securities analysis.

It will also be available to instructors who wish to introduce students to offerings from the lab that may enhance a given project or learning opportunity in their course.

“The lab was built with the vision that individuals, amateurs and/or professionals, with an interest in finance, economics and accounting, regardless of background and/or specialization, could come together in a space that creates an atmosphere that fosters experience learning and application opportunities that evolve around research, discussion and application regarding capital markets and active money/asset/portfolio management and investment,” LaTurner said.