Indiana-based Gibson is advancing its commitment to diversifying the insurance industry workforce through two endowed scholarships at Indiana State University.
Indiana-based Gibson is advancing its commitment to diversifying the insurance industry workforce through two endowed scholarships at Indiana State University.
“The insurance industry – and especially in the Midwest – is not very diverse. By helping grow the pie, we won’t be just trying to solve for Gibson, but rather we’ll be introducing more diversity into the industry as a whole,” said Tim Leman, Gibson Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Gibson’s relationship with the Scott College of Business spans more than three decades. The company’s scholarships, the Gibson ISU Alumni Scholarship and Leman Family Scholarship, were established to support ISU students pursuing degrees in the University’s Insurance and Risk Management Program.
“Gibson has been a loyal supporter of ISU. Their ongoing engagement has helped our students earn their degrees and pursue their careers in the insurance industry,” said Terry Daugherty, Dean of the Scott College of Business. “It is exciting how they are reinvigorating their support of their scholarships at Indiana State to match the needs of our university and their industry.”
“We’ve spent a lot of time thinking about who we are and how we can be more intentional in bringing more diversity into Gibson and our industry. Upon reflection we realized that meant being even more deliberate in living our core values,” said Leman. “We are leaders. And our mindset is long term and abundant. So why wouldn’t we look to build upon our relationship with Indiana State, arguably the most diverse state school in Indiana, and help them grow the minority enrollment in one of their most highly regarded programs, Insurance and Risk Management?”
Beginning the 2021-2022 academic year, the scholarships will prioritize supporting minority and female students in the insurance and risk management program. The refocus of both funds will augment the ISU’s new recruitment and career awareness diversity program in insurance and risk management.
“The program aims to align with the goals of the industry by increasing enrollment and diversity in the Insurance and Risk Management Program, prepare students with career readiness skills and provide students with leadership skills that empower them as an employee and citizen,” said Rebecca Wray, director of the Gongaware Center and Networks Financial Institute. “By raising awareness of insurance as a career and opportunities available in the industry, the scholarship will assist in attracting talented students into the Insurance and Risk Management Program and ultimately, the industry.”
Beyond the philanthropic support, Gibson has been recruiting ISU students and graduates for internships and job openings for more than three decades. Currently, 15 employees in Gibson’s five midwestern offices are ISU graduates, including Leman who is a 1997 graduate of the Scott College of Business. Additionally, four out of the seven members of Gibson’s leadership team attended ISU.
“Gibson values fostering young talent into emerging leaders in the insurance industry through their scholarships and internship experiences. As I come aboard as a full-time team member after graduation next spring, I look forward to embracing the company culture and vision of success and inclusion,” said Grace Hicks, ISU senior insurance and risk management major and current recipient of the Gibson ISU Alumni Scholarship.
Hicks served is as a client services and risk management intern in Gibson’s South Bend office. Her experience earned her a full-time position with the company following her graduation in Spring 2021.
Photo of Tim Leman
Photo of Scott College of Business
Photo of Grace Hicks
Media contacts:
Mark Alesia, Director of University Communication
(O) 812-237-3837
(C) 812-229-8020
mark.alesia@indstate.edu
Dianne Powell, Associate Director of University Communication
(O) 812-237-8764
(C) 812-878-2131
DianneFrances.Powell@indstate.edu
Kim Kunz, Executive Director of Stewardship and Constituent Relations
(O) 812-237-6154
(C) 812-230-6245
Kimberly.Kunz@indstate.edu