InVEST awarded a total of $87,000 in scholarships to 70 students pursuing insurance-related degrees, breaking previous scholarship records. The program serves to attract new talent to the insurance industry.

“InVEST congratulates the 70 students, representing 17 schools and from eight states, who have earned scholarships this year,” says InVEST board chair and president of The Slocum Agency Inc. Robert G. Slocum.

“InVEST develops future industry professionals by educating high school and college students about insurance risk management and financial services. Students from more than 500 InVEST programs across the country are equipped with knowledge to help them pursue careers in an agency, company or other insurance industry organization,” Slocum says.

InVEST aids the education and development of future insurance professionals through academic programs and scholarships at both the high school and college level.

“A successful InVEST program is critical not only to the future of the independent agency system, but to the insurance industry as a whole and to the financial literacy of our young people,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “Many are concerned that the average age of an insurance professional is around 54 and as baby boomers retire, the InVEST program has the potential to replenish our workforce and produce the next generation of industry professionals and leaders.”

Across the country, scholarship hopefuls submitted essays describing the influence and benefits of the InVEST program for their educational plans. Quality of the essay, along with grade point average and extracurricular activities were factors in selecting recipients for scholarships.

Students representing 18 schools from California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Texas and Virginia were awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000.

Two students received the Bob Betters Memorial Scholarship, which is the newest component of the InVEST program, established in 2011. The scholarship awards $5,000 in honor of Bob Betters of the Watson Insurance Agency in Gastonia, N.C., who passed away in February 2011 after battling brain cancer. Betters served as the InVEST state champion for North Carolina, and was appointed to the InVEST board of directors in 2009. The board agreed to award the top scholarships for five years to honor his commitment to the program. This years' recipients are Danielle Dacanay of Glen Allen, Va. and Erin Dudley of Orlando, Fla.

Winners of the $3,000 scholarship include Andres Alvarez, Manuel Carmona, Gabrielle Cotilla, Sean Coughlin, Madeline Haller, Tyler Moffit and Ashley Palmer.

Thomas Christino, Diana Estrada, Peyton Holl, Josh Hutchinson, Katherine Johnson, Jenna Renaud and Taylor Schneider each received $2,000.

An additional 30 students received $1,000 and InVEST issued 24 scholarships in the amount of $500.

Special Reports /

InVEST awards 70 students a total of $87,000 in scholarships

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