Highlights
Industry Support
Insurance Advisory Board
Organizations represented on the Insurance Advisory Board include Afni, Aon, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Associated Bank, AIG, Chubb, Connor & Gallagher, COUNTRY Financial, General Re, Illinois Department of Insurance, Lockton Companies Inc, Lloyd's, Munich Re, Pekin Insurance, Pinnacle Actuarial Resources Inc., RIMS-Chicago, RLI, RT Specialty LLC, State Farm Insurance, Surplus Line Association of Illinois, Swiss Re, Travelers, and Zurich North America.
Risk Manager in Residence
Risk Manager in Residence David Williams, Director of Risk Management for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and Jason Peery, Account Executive, Senior Vice President for Aon Risk Insurance Services spent 2 1/2 days on the Illinois State University campus. Mr. Williams presented to various insurance classes and also met with students during lunch and dinner.
David is the Director of Risk Management for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. In summer of 2016, David joined San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI) as Director of Risk Management and is a key member of the executive team responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of enterprise risk management programs to identify, measure, monitor, and control risks. Prior to SMBMI, David was Senior Director of Risk Management at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), implementing and directing enterprise/strategic risk management program after several years of an operational risk management only department function.
Katie School Golf Classic
The 26th annual Katie School Golf Classic will be held on June 19, 2017 at the Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora, IL. The program raises funds for enhancements within the Katie School and student scholarships.
Scholarships
Grants and scholarships totaling over $100,000 were awarded to outstanding undergraduate students in insurance and risk management.
Programs
Insurance Executive Forum
The 26th annual Insurance Executive Forum was held on October 26, 2016. The topic of the panel discussion "Competition: The Name of the Game" covered a variety of new trends affecting the insurance industry.
London Market Study Tour
A one-week training program focusing on the U.S. Property/Casualty industry was held for 20 individuals from the Lloyd's of London and Bermuda markets in Chicago and on the Illinois State University campus during one week every July. This is the 16th consecutive year this one-week course has been offered and it attracts underwriters, claims personnel, brokers and representatives from Lloyd's, including the Corporation as well as the London insurance market and its service providers. The program offers interaction with an exceptional group of industry executives from the U.S. insurance market as well as with outstanding faculty from the Katie School.
Midwest High School Scholars Actuarial Academy
This annual one-week program is held on campus in the summer, and is designed especially for above average African-American, Hispanic and Native American high school students who excel in mathematics.
Risk Management Challenge
During this program, held annually in the summer, 20 exceptional high school juniors about to embark on their senior year compete in teams of four as senior risk management professionals. Each day the teams strategically invest and make risk-related decisions while learning about various aspects of the industry through structured social activities such as bowling and other games.
Katie School/CPCU Symposium
The Spring Symposium is a daylong event held annually featuring presentations from industry professionals on emerging topics and Katie School students involved in innovative research projects.
Financial Regulators Program
The 2017 program will be held on June 5 - June 13. Topics to be covered will include Risk Assessment and Regulation, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Reinsurance, and much more for the professionals in attendance. Faculty for this program is a mix of academics, industry professionals, and regulators.
Financial Regulators Symposium
The 5th Annual Forum on Illinois Insurance Regulation was held on Friday, December 2, 2016. A panel of speakers presented on a variety of emergent topics facing the insurance and finance regulation industry.
Students
Gamma Iota Sigma
The professional insurance fraternity is an organization for students interested in a career in the insurance industry. This year's membership exceeds 120 students. During the year, Gamma sponsors events such as group golf lessons, company visits, industry speakers on topics of leadership and business ethics, a Peoria Chiefs baseball game outing with RLI, community service projects, and coordination of CPCU mentors.
International Internships
With the funding provided, the Katie School was able to place and support eight Illinois State University students in international internships in the Bermuda market (2), the Lloyd's of London market (2), the South African market (2), and the Zurich market (2). 2011 was the first year students have been sent to South Africa. These interns gained insights and a valuable global perspective from working with underwriters, brokers, regulators, claims personnel, captive managers and many other insurance personnel during their internships. All of these students came back to campus with an elevated level of confidence and enthusiasm for pursuing careers in the insurance industry. With their acquired knowledge and skills, they will add value to any company they will work for in the future.
Industry Conferences
Many students had the opportunity to attend industry conferences around the country. Previous industry conferences attended by students include the IMUA Annual Meeting, NAPSLO Symposium, REBEX Conference, RIMS Conference, and the National CPCU Conference.
National Awards
Students received national recognition for the RIMS Anita Benedetti Scholarship, the Angus Robinson Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Spencer Educational Foundation Scholarship, and the Association of Professional Insurance Women (APIW).
Certificate in Leadership and Business Acumen
The purpose of the Certificate in Leadership and Business Acumen (CLBA) is to provide students with an opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills and knowledge sought after by industry employers, which they may not be able to attain from a traditional classroom experience. By demonstrating skills and knowledge in three categories, students who complete this certification should be well-suited to enter and excel in the insurance industry. On average, ten students earn the certificate annually upon graduation.
Internships
Over 80 students participated in internships with insurance companies, agencies, and brokerages in Illinois and nationwide.
Professional Exams
Students are encouraged to take exams leading to professional insurance designations such as the CPCU, CLU, ARM, and INS. The Katie School offers funding for the first attempt at most exams as well as a financial aid reward if the exam is passed.
Student Enrollment
Over 800 students enrolled in insurance courses including nearly 300 insurance majors and minors.
Contact Information:
James R. Jones, Director
Katie School of Insurance
Campus Box 5490
Normal, IL 61790-5490
E-mail: jrjone2@ilstu.edu