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Mark Your Calendar!
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DW Simpson Actuarial Science Scholarship Deadline
October 31, 2013
December 9, 2013
December 14, 2013
Click here for a calendar of other deadlines and events
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| Executive Committee | |
John Hammond
President
Meg Allwein
Executive Vice President
Jason Warden
Vice President
Alan Hoffmann
Vice President
(Past President)
Jake Timmins
Secretary Brian Bowerman Treasurer Jeffery W. Lamb Immediate Past President Josh Hart
Alumni Representative Christopher Place Industry Representative Dr. RB Drennan
Faculty Representative Dr. Karen Epermanis
Faculty Representative Alyssa Bouchard Student Representative Mike Kelly
Student Representative Noelle Codispoti Executive Director
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Dear Students,
Gamma Iota Sigma just can't stop. And frankly, we could not be more excited. We are moving full speed ahead, growing in numbers and in value proposition - from the size and success of the International Conference to the recent addition and reactivation of chapters (and more in the pipeline!). This growth is attributable to you, your passion and commitment, and all that you bring to your chapters on a daily basis. But there is still so much more to do.
With such growth comes significant responsibility, and in response we are ramping up the resources that we can extend to all of you. The new Career Center is up and running, but we need each of you to make it work - see details below. We are excited to resume the GIS Webinar Series before the year is out; more to follow in next month's news. We will also soon be rolling out a new website, which some of you heard about at the Presidents' and International Conferences. These and other initiatives are all in an effort to best equip you for success in your academic and professional lives.
A word of advice: seize every opportunity and make your experiences meaningful. There is an entire industry out there waiting for YOU.
Fraternally yours,
Noelle Codispoti, ARM Executive Director, Gamma Iota Sigma |
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42nd Annual International Conference
Over 600 industry practitioners, supporters, students and faculty descended on the Westin Charlotte in North Carolina October 3-5 for Gamma Iota Sigma's 42nd Annual International Conference. "Get Your Motor Running" was the highest attended conference yet, featuring 430 students and faculty and nearly 200 industry representatives. We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who participated and helped make this year's event a success, and a special thank you to the Grand Chapter's co-host, the Rho Chapter from Appalachian State University.
The conference featured three days packed with networking and professional development opportunities, educational sessions and first round interviews. The Career Fair, featuring 60 exhibitors, retained its expanded two-day format begun last year, and once again, the caliber and dedication of GIS students wowed recruiters and practitioners from the entire spectrum of the industry. 65 industry sponsors - more than ever before - made possible this year's conference, which culminated in an amazing event at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
We were thrilled to hold the chartering ceremony for the Beta Theta Chapter at East Carolina University during the opening night reception. This was the first time a chartering ceremony was held at the International Conference, particularly poignant as the other 36 schools present and many of our sponsors and industry representatives in attendance were able to share in the event. We were also pleased to welcome to the conference students and faculty from four applicant chapters, and we look forward to several imminent charterings.
Congratulations to this year's award winners, as well as to Alyssa Bouchard of Rho Chapter and Mike Kelly of Lambda Chapter, who were elected the 2013-24 co-International Student Representatives.
Stay tuned for details on the 2014 conference in Dallas, Texas!
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Thank You, Conference Sponsors
TITANIUM
Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers / The Foundation for Agency Management Excellence (FAME)
Travelers
PLATINUM
AIG
Brown & Brown / Hull & Company
The Hartford Financial Services Group
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Lockton Companies
Markel Corporation
GOLD
Amerisure Insurance
Casualty Actuarial Society
CNA Insurance
Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation
RIMS Student Advisory Council
Spencer Educational Foundation
Swiss Re
Wells Fargo Insurance Services
USAA
SILVER
A.M. Best Company
ACE Group
American Association of Managing General Agents
Assurex Global
Atlantic Specialty Lines, Inc.
The Institutes
International Association of Insurance Professionals
Lloyd's America
Munich Re
The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research
National Interstate Insurance
Pinnacle Actuarial Resources, Inc.
Professional Liability Underwriting Society
Towers Watson
Westfield Insurance
XL Group plc
BRONZE
All Risks, Ltd.
Aon
AXIS
BB&T Insurance Services, Inc.
The Cincinnati Insurance Companies
General Reinsurance Corporation
IFGW
The Insurance Institute of Canada
Nautilus Insurance Company
State Farm Insurance
USLI
Westrope
Willis
Zurich North America
CAREER FAIR
Accident Fund Holdings, Inc.
ACTEX Publications
AmWINS Group, Inc.
American Risk & Insurance Association
Arlington/Roe & Co.
EMC Insurance Companies
Erie Insurance Group
Ezra Penland Actuarial Recruitment
Farm Bureau Life Insurance
GEICO
Great American Insurance Group
Griffith Insurance Education Foundation
Marsh & McLennan Companies
Motorists Insurance Group
Quirk & Company
Scottsdale Insurance Company
State Auto Insurance Companies
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Alyssa Bouchard, Rho Chapter
2013-14 co-International Student Representative
 The key values of Gamma Iota Sigma are: lasting friendship, a desire for knowledge, a dedication to integrity, and faithful fidelity. As previous International Student Representatives have shown, it is imperative they exhibit these qualities in order to fulfill his or her duty to the organization. Based on these qualities, I believe I'll serve you well as International Student Representative.
My passion for the risk and insurance industry stems largely from the emphasis on building relationships. Through GIS, I've formed friendships with many of you that I know will last the entirety of my career. I plan to use this ability to foster relationships with the members of the Grand Chapter and serve as a liaison between the Executive Committee and each of you, my fellow student members.
I have a strong desire to learn and better myself through Gamma's educational opportunities. I take advantage of conferences, Webinars, and seek to gain knowledge from industry professionals. I am confident that my desire for knowledge will allow me to make myself aware of issues in the risk, insurance, and actuarial fields, and build additional value into your Gamma Iota Sigma membership by constantly revamping the services Gamma provides in accordance with those issues.
Integrity is one of the most important values you can have in this industry. As your International Student Representative, I promise to facilitate open and honest communication, and uphold GIS's high standard of integrity. Above all, I am loyal and dedicated to this organization. I want to see Gamma Iota Sigma grow and succeed not only on the national level, but with each one of your individual chapters. You can be confident that, as your International Student Representative, I will put Gamma Iota Sigma first and passionately promote the organization on behalf of our entire student membership. |
Mike Kelly, Lambda Chapter
2013-14 co-International Student Representative
 There are three things that I want to stress as International Student Representative: Growth, Stability, and Succession.
First, I want Gamma to grow at the Grand Chapter level by adding new chapters and helping chapters reactivate, like I did with the Lambda Chapter. I also want to help the smaller chapters grow and continue to be strong. Next, we need our big chapters to continue to be stable. I want our superior chapters to continue every year to compete for the Bowers Award. I don't want to see chapters become inactive either, that is something that would really hurt us as a whole. Finally, I want to tie everything together with succession. We need our chapters to continue to grow every year. I think that this is the most important thing every year our chapters get stronger.
I want to thank everyone for your votes. I am looking forward to representing all of you along with Alyssa. I want to stress to every member that I am here for you. Please do not be afraid to contact me and let me know what we can do for you.
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Chapter News: Iota
Rallying after Reactivating
Since the beginning of the Fall semester, the newly reactivated Iota Chapter at Florida State University has been hard at work building up our presence on campus. There has been a wide variety of events hosted by our chapter, such as the kickoff with John Phelps, ARM, CPCU, Director of Business Risk Solutions for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and current President of RIMS. Mr. Phelps presented about a career in risk management and gave our students advice for when they enter the industry.
Around the time of our university's career fair, we brought in three insurance companies - Amica Mutual, Bouchard Insurance and Allstate Insurance - to host sessions on interviewing and networking skills. This was a great opportunity for our chapter to get advice from employers about what companies are looking for during an interview and what is appropriate behavior during networking opportunities.
One of our chapter goals is to foster camaraderie between members, so during the FSU vs NC State game we have invited our alumni to come back for an alumni tailgate. We are hoping that this will become an annual event and that alumni will look forward to coming back every year for it. We are excited to finally be a part of GIS again and we have big aspirations for the future of our chapter! Go Noles!
Submitted by Joey Neeley, Iota Chapter President |
Chapter News: Phi
Tales of Excel(ling)
 From professional engagement to memorable fun, the Phi chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma has been excelling in the fall of 2013. Our chapter leadership and membership have worked hard to stand out at Ball State and bring out some of the best opportunities imaginable for our members.
From hosting well over a dozen interactive company presentations and professional development workshops to creating this year's International Conference winning roll call skit, our members know what it takes to Excel... I mean excel... in the insurance industry and in Gamma Iota Sigma. Each week we hear the success stories of members passing actuarial and risk management exams, getting a new internship or having a great experience at an industry conference, and our chapter celebrates with fun events like tailgating and pizza parties.
In other news, the Phi Chapter is expanding our alumni records and working on a new automated record-keeping system. Furthermore, the RMI side of the club is gaining ground with connections to new insurance companies and opportunities. We have a lot of great ideas for continued chapter growth and involvement and look forward to the exciting changes that are going on with us, other Gamma Iota Sigma chapters, and in the insurance industry.
Submitted by Dulton Moore, Phi Chapter Secretary |
Chapter News: Beta Gamma
Risk Management in the Public Sector
The Beta Gamma Chapter at Cal State Fullerton launched the school year with their first guest speaker, Steven NyBlom, who is the Chief Risk Manager for Los Angeles County. Steven spoke to members about the importance of risk management within the public sector and how everyday activities fall under his responsibility. Steven is responsible for public safety, public works projects, schools, public relations, and so much more. Risk management touches all industries, but it also affects our daily lives.
Steven also shared his career experiences, which took him from underwriting to Chief Risk Manager of one of the largest counties in the United States. Steven also emphasized the importance of networking and continuing education. Beta Gamma members learned the importance of risk management in the public sector, networking, and always staying competitive through continuing education.
Submitted by Dymphna Menendez, Beta Gamma Chapter President |
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2014 Spencer Scholarship Update
Only Online Submissions will be Accepted
Students, take note: the Spencer Educational Foundation will only accept electronic applications for the 2014 scholarship year. Attached is a copy of the application, due January 31, 2014. Students will be required to include all necessary documentation in one document including electronic transcripts, if possible. Students may also download the application from www.spencered.org.
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AAMGA's Student Research Contest Enter for a $2000 Award and Trip to Hawaii!
On behalf of the AAMGA University, we invite you to be a part of the fourth annual AAMGA Distinguished Chair Student Research Contest. With this solicitation, the AAMGA seeks research papers on property and casualty industry-related topics focused on the issues and dilemmas faced by organizations and individuals in the Wholesale or Excess and Surplus Lines industry. Papers are due March 1, 2014.
Two winning papers will be selected from the submissions and the authors will be awarded $2000 and, at the AAMGA's expense, invited to attend (with their professor) the AAMGA Annual Meeting at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawaii, May 18-21 2014, where they will be recognized for their achievement. This event, attended by over 1000 individuals, is an invaluable networking experience.
In addition, the winners' research papers will be released to trade publications, including the Wholesale Insurance News (WIN) Magazine dedicated specifically to the Excess and Surplus Lines Industry. We encourage you to be a part of this opportunity! Find all of the details here.
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GIS in the NewsWIN Magazine Feature Story by Noelle Codispoti
 GIS Executive Director Noelle Codispoti's article, "Mind the Talent Gap: Attracting Students and Young Professionals to the Wholesale Insurance Industry," is the lead story in the Fall 2013 issue of Wholesale Insurance News (WIN) Magazine. Thanks to our industry partner AAMGA for the feature; read the full issue here.
The wholesale insurance community's international trade association, AAMGA was founded in 1926 on the principles of integrity and professionalism. Today, the AAMGA represents over 500 corporate members and is respected as the leader in and voice of the wholesale and excess and surplus lines insurance industry.
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NEW GIS Career Center
Have you visited the new GIS Career Center? It is exclusive to Gamma Iota Sigma members and features internship and job listings from our industry partners. Be sure to upload your current resume, and check out the current postings! |
FREE Subscription to Best's Review!
Be sure you are taking advantage of the special offer from our partner company A.M. Best! Students and faculty can access a FREE subscription to Best's Review magazine - digital version. Link to the registration page here! Best's Review is the premier insurance industry monthly magazine, providing the latest global news and trends, plus industry analysis and featured articles. |
Are you a Recent Graduate or GIS Alumnus? Stay in Touch!
Help us keep your contact information current! GIS boasts an alumni base of over 16,000 individuals from our 55 chapters and we need your help in updating our current records. Alumni and soon-to-be-Alumni, please use the link below to update your information, and pass it on to as many fellow graduates as you can.
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