Indiana State University Newsroom

Two Indiana State University insurance and risk management majors are among a select group of students chosen to participate in the Risk and Insurance Management Society’s (RIMS) Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program.

As a result of their selection, senior Brad Lemish of Albion and junior Gerald Smith of Avon will attend the society’s annual conference in San Diego April 27 - May 1. The society pays airfare, hotel expenses, registration and a small stipend for students chosen to participate.

“It is an honor to be chosen for the Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program, Lemish said. “Not only will I have an opportunity to network with some of the industry leaders, I will also have a chance to learn more about current issues that affect today’s insurance industry. It is the perfect ending to my undergraduate career. Moreover, it is reassurance that hard work definitely pays off in the end. I am very humbled to receive such an award.”

Lemish will graduate from Indiana State in May with bachelor’s degrees in insurance and risk management and business administration as well as a minor in finance. While at ISU, he has been a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Insurance and Risk Management Honors Corps and has served as president and vice president of the Phi Kappa Psi social fraternity. A 2004 graduate of Churubusco High School, he is the son of Blake and Susan Lemish.

Smith, a 2005 graduate of Avon High School and the son of Robin and Billy Hill, serves as president of the Alpha Epsilon chapter of the Gamma Iota Sigma insurance and risk management fraternity at Indiana State. In 2007, he served a summer internship with Lockton Companies LLC in Kansas City, Mo. Lockton is the world’s largest, privately owned, independent insurance broker.

2008 marks the fourth year in a row that Indiana State has had two students chosen for the Benedetti program and the 15th year out of the past 16 that at least one student has been selected.

That track record is a testament to the caliber of students that Indiana State attracts to its nationally-recognized insurance and risk management program, Mary Ann Boose, professor and coordinator of the program, said.

“We’re proud of Gerald and Brad. They will serve as excellent representatives of Indiana State at the RIMS conference, which attracts the best and brightest each year. There is no other venue in the insurance and risk management field that offers such a wide range of educational opportunities,” Boose said.

The Student Involvement Program honors the late Anita Benedetti, former deputy executive director of RIMS and president of the Spencer Educational Foundation, Inc. A total of 34 college and university students from around the country were selected for participation this year.

Financial services, which includes insurance and risk management, is one of two areas of study designated as Programs of National Distinction as part of the university’s Distinctive Programs Initiative. Funded in part by a gift from the Lilly Endowment, the initiative is intended to strengthen programs with national or regional reputations for quality, and build programs that have the potential to achieve that status.

Photos:
Brad Lemish
Gerald Smith

Contact: Mary Ann Boose, professor and coordinator, insurance and risk management program, Indiana State University, m-boose@indstate.edu or 812-237-2106.

Writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu