Congrats, Beta Epsilon Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma!

The University of Central Oklahoma College of Business’ Beta Epsilon Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS) received the Superior Chapter Performance award for the third consecutive year and the International Chapter Award at the 50th Annual International Conference for GIS Sept. 23-25 in Columbus, Ohio.

Only seven chapters out of 95 GIS collegiate member programs with majors in insurance and risk management were honored with the prestigious Superior Chapter Performance Award that recognizes chapters excelling in all areas of chapter management, based on the International Chapter Award. The International Chapter Award is presented to chapters that experience substantial engagement and participation in club membership through the areas of alumni relations, chapter management, community service, membership and development, and public relations.

Accompanying the students at the conference were GIS faculty advisor, Allen Arnold, Ph.D., associate professor of finance, and Melih Kullu, Ph.D., assistant professor of finance and GIS co-faculty advisor from the College of Business.

“We cannot fully express the pride we felt when our students were recognized in front of more than 500 collegiate students, faculty, administrators and industry professionals,” said Arnold.

“To be recognized as a Superior Chapter among the top universities for insurance programs in the country is a testament to the hard work of our student club leaders and members.”

UCO’s Beta Epsilon Chapter Attending Club Officers:

• Delaney Beller, junior finance and insurance and risk management double major and chapter vice president from Goldsby, Oklahoma;
• Kegan Ramsey-Hess, senior finance and insurance and risk management double major and chapter secretary and treasurer from Bethany, Oklahoma;
• Brooke Barges, senior finance and insurance and risk management double major and chapter director of outreach and social media from Edmond, Oklahoma;
• Troyvonne Clark, senior finance and insurance and risk management double major and chapter director of operations from Jacksonville, North Carolina; and,
• Jacob Friesen, junior finance major and chapter director of membership development and alumni relations from Edmond, Oklahoma.

The academic and industry conference hosted 400 students and advisors representing over 45 colleges and universities, and more than 200 industry representatives and alumni, including over 30 nationally known speakers and breakout sessions presented by members of the insurance industry. The student officers also engaged with employers at the conference career fair. Each officer was selected for career interviews with insurance industry recruiters and hiring managers.

The conference is one of many events that provide students exposure and real-world experience and engagement opportunities to hone their skills and knowledge. Following the conference, student leaders Aaron Cox, senior finance and insurance and risk management double major and chapter club president, and Beller were selected to join Alyssa Bouchard, GIS vice president of industry engagement, on a panel with Q&A from industry professionals at the Big I Oklahoma 2021 Young Agents Conference Oct. 7 in Oklahoma City to discuss best practices to engage and attract top talent.

Founded in 1965 by Warren L. Weeks and the Griffith Insurance Foundation, Gamma Iota Sigma is an international professional fraternity with over 6,000 members and 95 chapters nationwide supporting students of insurance, risk management and actuarial science. GIS pursues a mission to promote and encourage student interest in the industry as a profession while encouraging the high moral and scholastic attainments of its members. UCO joined the fraternity in 2008.

For more information, contact Arnold at 405-974-2171 or aarnold1@uco.edu or visit https://www.ucogis.org/.

Niccole Miller, Ph.D., MBA

Niccole Miller serves as the Director of Student Success and Retention for the College of Business at the University of Central Oklahoma.