College of Business Unveils Truist DARTT Lab

$350,000 Gift Solidifies Truist Bank Support for Students

 

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) – Bowie State University students, faculty members and administrators gathered at the College of Business to celebrate the naming of the Truist Data Analytics Research and Technology (DARTT) Lab designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they'll need for jobs that are increasingly centered around data. A $350,000 gift from Truist Bank will support ongoing operation of the lab. 

"The demand is high in private industry, local, state and federal government for handling critical data," said BSU President Aminta Breaux. "The Truist DARTT Lab will enable Bowie State to meet students where they are. It provides phenomenal research opportunities, is a repository for interdisciplinary data and ultimately deepens the experiential learning that is core component of how students grow intellectually at BSU. We can't thank Truist enough for its commitment and ongoing support of the university."

The Truist DARTT Lab is an important resource for students across all disciplines introducing them to large data sets, software and technology resources that can be the catalyst for innovative research projects. The interdisciplinary lab is focused on solving large-scale data analytics problems that arise in different domains including social networks, health care, science, retail, economics, finance and business.

"Truist has a commitment to higher education and a long-standing relationship with Bowie State," said Cassius Priestley, Truist market president in the greater Washington, D.C. region. "BSU is a source of our future workforce. Our mission is to inspire and build better lives and communities. We invest in organizations like Bowie State that get it and are focused on helping to bring more qualified candidates to the job market. The Truist DARTT Lab will enable students to solve large scale data problems while preparing them for positions after graduating."

“We have training courses semester on technology and how to use data software and provide students real-world projects that enhance their experiential learning,” said Bolametiren Akinlaja, an MBA graduate student and manager of the Truist DARTT Lab. “The lab is a safe space for all students to access the opportunities data has to offer. It is also a place for students who have no knowledge of how to use data.”

Priestley says that minorities comprise 27% of all businesses and 32% of start-ups. "There is still a wealth gap and Truist is committed to helping close the divide to ensure we have a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive."

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.