The University of Olivet has one of the country’s top insurance and risk management programs. The expertise of the director of the program Tom Humphreys, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, CIC, assistant professor of insurance and risk management, is what allows this program to flourish.
One of the classes offered in the major is a global-learning trip during The University of Olivet’s spring intensive learning term (ILT) to the United Kingdom and Ireland. The United Kingdom is considered the birthplace of modern insurance, so the group had plenty to see while they were there. The most notable stop was Lloyd’s of London, the world’s leading insurance and reinsurance marketplace.
Daniel Ballagh, an insurance and risk management major planning to graduate in December of 2022, said that one of his favorite parts of the trip was seeing the famed Lutine Bell hanging in the atrium of Lloyd’s underwriting room.
The bell was salvaged in 1857 from the 1799 HMS Lutine shipwreck. Lloyd’s insured the ship and paid the claim in full two weeks after the disaster. This tragic event cemented Lloyd’s reliable reputation. “The bell is something I’ve always wanted to see since I learned of Llyod’s in high school,” Daniel said.
While Lloyd’s was a notable stop, some of the group’s other excursions included sightseeing at Windsor Castle, Oxford University, Stonehenge, Buckingham Palace, the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, Bunratty Castle and more. It was a happy mix of professional development, learning, fun, and sightseeing.
These kinds of global-learning opportunities through The University of Olivet are often the first time students such as Daniel ever travel out of the country. For others, such as Amelia Northern ’22, this kind of travel broadened her horizon for where she might want to go one day. She said, “Since this trip, I would love to think about possibly working in London. London has a huge insurance hub. It’s the birthplace of insurance.”
Having accepted a position as an underwriter for the Continental National American Group (CNA), Amelia plans to move to Chicago to work at their headquarters. But she said working at an international level is appealing to her, and this trip was informative and eye-opening.
These trips also help build camaraderie. Amelia said that while taking in all the sights and culture was fantastic, her favorite part was being with her fellow students. “You can look around at everyone getting along, laughing and having an amazing time. What an unlikely group but such a close group after traveling Europe!”
Insurance is such a great career not only because you provide help to people who are in difficult times, but as Amelia said, “It is a never-ending field.” She said its diversity of roles makes the possibilities endless. “There is always a goal to reach, something to strive and work hard for.”
The Europe trip was a success, and the students who attended said this felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity full of learning and growth.
Learn more about The University of Olivet by contacting the Office of Admission at 269-749-7635 or admissions@uolivet.edu.
This feature was written by Savannah Baker, a senior studying English and business. The former editor of Olivet’s literary journal, Garfield Lake Review, Savannah now pursues her interest in writing and editing as a marketing intern with The University of Olivet.