The University of Olivet’s Alpha Alpha Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS), the international society for insurance, risk management and actuarial science majors, received the prestigious Edison L. Bowers Award at the 42nd annual GIS International Conference.
The Edison L. Bowers Award, the highest honor a chapter can receive, is awarded to the chapter that best reflects the overall goals and objectives of GIS. The University of Olivet won the award in 1988, 1990 and 1998, and split the award with Temple University in 2000. With this win, the Alpha Alpha Chapter broke Temple’s 13-year streak.
The University of Olivet competed Friday, Oct. 4 for the award. Chapter president Christopher Watkins, a senior from Grand Junction, and president-elect Andrew Simms, a junior from Portland, presented the chapter’s accomplishments to a panel of judges comprised of GIS board members.
In addition to this honor, the Alpha Alpha chapter was named one of two Superior Chapters and won the chapter awards for management, alumni relations, community service, membership involvement and public relations.
“There are so many factors that contribute to this achievement; a dedicated team of officers, membership involvement, and strong industry/alumni support are the keys to success,” said Carol Breed, director of The Risk Management and Insurance Center at The University of Olivet and faculty advisor for Olivet’s GIS.
The three-day international conference, held in Charlotte, N.C., from Oct. 3 to 5, drew chapters from across North America. The conference consisted of educational workshops, social events and an employer’s fair. The highlight of the conference was the International Awards Dinner where the Bowers Award was announced.
The Risk Management and Insurance Center at The University of Olivet is one of the most successful programs in the country. With nearly 100 percent graduation and job placement rates, demand for RMIC graduates outpaces what it can currently produce. This is due in part to the rigorous requirements set forth by the department. Internships are mandatory for RMIC students to graduate ? most complete more than one. The curriculum is also demanding. Designed by faculty who have worked or continue to work in the industry, it provides students with a strong educational foundation of the industry’s operations as well as application-based experiences. The results are graduates well-rounded in business, technology and the liberal arts.
For more information about the Alpha Alpha Chapter of GIS, contact Breed at 269.749.7664. For information about becoming a The University of Olivet student, contact Richard Lehman, risk management and insurance recruiting specialist, at 269.749.7751.