North Carolina’s Appalachian State Wins 2015 RIMS Risk Management Challenge

Appalachian State University’s risk management student team has been named the winner of the Spencer-RIMS Risk Management Challenge. The announcement was made at the RIMS 2015 Conference & Exhibition Finale, by RIMS Executive Director Mary Roth. Established in 1979 to honor the late Robert S. Spencer, the Foundation helps fund the education of future risk management and insurance leaders through scholarships.

The team, comprised of four risk management students from the Boone, N.C.-based college, competed against 18 other universities and delivered their risk management presentation in front 100 industry professionals at RIMS ’15 held in New Orleans.

Members of the Appalachian State University’s winning team included:

• Eric Vickers
• Wesley McDaniel
• Bruce Thomas
• Grant Jared
• Academic Advisor: Dr. Karen Epermanis

“Universities and their students are realizing the rewarding career opportunities that are available within risk management and the challenge is yet another way for us to showcase this exciting profession,” said RIMS Executive Director Mary Roth.

The challenge began with 20 universities, three months ago, who were each presented with a risk management situation. The teams developed programs to address the situation and eight of the teams were selected to attend RIMS ’15. During the conference, the field was narrowed to three and those finalists presented one last time in front of risk professionals at the conference.

Second place in this year’s Challenge was Missouri State University and the third place team was Temple University. The first place university received $4,000, second $3,000 and third $2,000.

RIMS, the risk management society, is a global not-for-profit organization representing more than 3,500 industrial, service, nonprofit, charitable and government entities throughout the world.

Topics Education North Carolina Universities