Financial markets are becoming increasingly complicated, global, and fast paced. The trading room will function as a training ground for future financial market leaders and traders. Students can see if their personalities fit the rigors and demands of life on Wall Street, and Wall Street can access this ready-trained talent. There will be three display boards running stock quotations and other data on a continuous feed in the Trading Room, as well as nearly 44 trading stations. These stations will be equipped as a trading desk would be in a Wall Street firm - with computer screens providing data feeds from multiple sources.
Plans also call for a multipurpose lab, a systems office, and a student lounge area.
I had a great experience at Penn State. I'm happy to be a part of giving something back to the University and this to me was the most tangible way to do this. This will improve students' capabilities in the field of markets, trading, sales, and research and analysis. Additional fund-raising will further support the trading room's construction and ongoing operation. New York-based Sky Technologies, which builds trading rooms for Wall Street, is designing the Smeal College Trading Room.