Dow Ragan, an insurance major at Illinois State University's Katie School of Insurance, has been named the first recipient of the $1,000 scholarship endowed for the school by Claims.
Ragan, who maintains a 3.8 grade point average, recently graduated from the school and intends to pursue a career in claims. Last summer, he worked in his home town, Springfield, Ill., for AIG Claims Services as a technical claim associate in the workers' compensation division.
In addition to being enrolled in the Illinois State University honors program, Ragan is a member of the Gamma Iota Sigma insurance organization, which encourages its members to study, engage in research, and advance in all fields of insurance endeavor.
An article by the Katie School's executive director, James R. Jones, CPCU, AIC, ARM, inspired Claims to fund the scholarship (Fishing in the University Talent Pool, February 2004). Jones urged the claim community to enhance the industry's visibility on college campuses, thereby attracting young people to the profession and ensuring a talented pool of new adjusters.
The purpose of the Claims scholarship is to raise awareness of the claim profession as a career choice for college students pursuing the study of insurance at the Katie School. The scholarship was awarded on a number of factors including interviews, essays, internships, and leadership. The $1,000 scholarship is one of 38 scholarships that the 300-plus Katie students are eligible to receive.
