Finance and Accounting Students Gain Industry Insights from Trustee George Gilmer

On Thursday, February 20, University Trustee George Gilmer '92 was hosted by the University’s Accounting and Finance Club, the College of Professional Studies, and the Student Government Association, to discuss and encourage insightful industry information regarding the finance and accounting fields. With approximately 50 students, faculty, and staff in attendance, the event offered those who gathered the opportunity to hear firsthand about Gilmer's professional journey and advice for aspiring finance and accounting professionals.

Along with the keynote, attendees took a tour of Parenzo Hall's brand-new Finance and Data Analytics Lab. With the help of industry-relevant software and data tools, the cutting-edge facility gives finance and accounting majors practical experience that will help them in their future careers.

Accounting and finance major, Daniel Currier, ’25, who was instrumental in organizing the night, remarked on his experience recruiting Gilmer for the event.  “I immediately thought of George Gilmer because I’ve worked with him on the Board of Trustees,” Currier said. “He is someone that is very accomplished in the finance industry and who now serves as the CFO of ActBlue, so it’s pretty awesome to have someone like that in your own backyard. We thought it would be a great opportunity for students to hear directly from him.”

During his address, Gilmer emphasized the importance of being fully present in conversations, gaining real-world experience through internships, and staying engaged in campus activities. He also urged students to pursue opportunities that would improve their career readiness and to get involved in extracurricular activities.

Thinking back to his own time in college, Gilmer described how going to a comparable event as a student shaped his professional trajectory. “I’m happy to be able to give back to Westfield State students by sharing my experiences,” Gilmer commented. “I remember being a junior in college attending an event like this where a panel of professionals talked about the importance of internships in preparation for finance careers. It was a pivotal experience for me as I realized I had to make the difficult decision to choose my internship over playing basketball during my senior year. While I missed basketball, that internship helped me pursue a career where I can make a significant impact on organizations through my work in finance and that is incredibly meaningful to me.”

In his remarks about the evening as a whole, Gilmer expressed his appreciation and enthusiasm for upcoming Westfield State graduates to succeed in the workforce. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to encourage students who are also looking to their futures and give them advice on how they can take steps towards their own rewarding careers in finance. It’s exciting to help students bring their dreams to life, and I hope I can provide students with information and guidance that they will find helpful.”