(Courtesy photo) Russell Norris, assistant professor and director of Rivier University's Security Studies programs, leads guests on a tour of the technology now available in the school's new Business and Cybersecurity wing.

NASHUA – Benefactors that helped bring to fruition Rivier University’s newest renovation and expansion project joined school officials and invited guests at the South Main Street campus last week for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting that signalled the official opening of the 30,000 square-foot center.

Attendees were offered guided tours of the extensively renovated Sylvia Trottier Hall, a project that got underway about a year ago, thanks to a $1 million donation from an unidentified “visionary benefactor.”

The center, completed last spring, is now welcoming its first groups of students to the new Nursing Simulation and Clinical Education Center and the business and information technology studies facilities.

Benefactors, guests, university leaders and students who took one of the guided tours were shown the six new simulation labs and assessment areas, two classrooms, a lecture hall and faculty offices that are part of the Nursing Simulation and Clinical Education Center, and got a first-hand look at the new Division of Business and Security Studies facility, which includes cybersecurity labs that mirror a professional security operations center, collaboration space, a technology hub, and office suites.

The unveiling marks the completion of Rivier’s most recent project in its multi-year campus enhancement plan. Next on the schedule is an upcoming groundbreaking event to kick off the construction of a campus housing complex to be named Rivier Village.

(Courtesy photo) Rivier University president Sr. Paula Marie Buley cuts the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the university's newly transformed Sylvia Trottier Hall. University officials and guests, including Mayor Jim Donchess, right, took part in the event.

Rivier president Sister Paula Marie Buley, one of several speakers at last week’s unveiling, said the new center underscores the university’s “commitment to real-world, active learning” by “giving students the opportunity to learn in environments consistent with those they will find as they launch their careers.”

The “state-of-the-art simulation labs and advanced technology within these walls (will) provide a higher level of learning to Rivier students,” Buley added.

Mayor Jim Donchess spoke briefly, describing Rivier as “a valuable community resource” and “Nashua’s leading educational institution.”

Also sharing their comments during the speaking program were Dr. Paula Williams, dean of Nursing and Health Professions, and Dr. Amir Toosi, dean of Business and Security Studies.

For more information on Rivierís academic programs and the admissions process, contact admissions@rivier.edu or call 897-8507.

(Photo by ED COLLIER PHOTOGRAPHY) Melissa Bodi, director of Rivier University's new Nursing Simulation and Clinical Education Center, demonstrates the new pediatric patient simulator to several students during the recent open house celebrating the university's new nursing, business and technology centers.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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