College of Business Alumni Step Up to Benefit Robert A. Marshall Endowment for Insurance Excellence

Tallahassee, Fla. — Gifts from graduates of the Florida State University College of Business to the Robert A. Marshall Endowment for Insurance Excellence have reached more than $107,000. The contributions will give a boost to deserving students and a faculty member in the college’s Risk Management and Insurance Program —  and make the fund eligible to receive matching funds from the state of Florida.

Established in 2006, the endowment honors Professor Robert Marshall, whose leadership was central to directing the Risk Management and Insurance Program to national prominence and placing it among the top 10 programs of its kind in the country. Marshall retired in 2006 after almost 30 years, including nearly 20 years as department chair.

“These gifts reflect the gratitude and high regard that generations of graduates have for Professor Marshall,” said Caryn Beck-Dudley, dean of the College of Business. “His influence continues to be felt among students he taught and guided through the years. By giving back to the college, these graduates are touching a whole new generation of students, and we truly appreciate their dedication and generosity.”

Housed in the Department of Risk Management/Insurance, Real Estate and Legal Studies, the Robert A. Marshall Endowment for Insurance Excellence provides funds to recognize and enhance the academic experience of deserving students who are pursuing degrees in risk management / insurance. In addition, the endowment will support a faculty professorship.

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About the RMI Program:

The Risk Management and Insurance Program (RMI) Program at Florida State University offers degrees at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The undergraduate program, established in the 1940s, is consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation. The program is designed to provide students with an overall background in risk management, life and health insurer operations and products; property and casualty operations and products; financial planning; and employee benefits.

Close interaction between the RMI students and faculty continues as a hallmark of the program. In addition, our alumni have helped to create a strong relationship between the risk management/insurance community and the RMI program at FSU. This is fostered by the Insurance Society at Florida State University, a student organization that provides a forum for students, faculty and business leaders to interact inside and outside of the classroom. The Master of Science in Management with a major in Risk Management Program is fully online and is ranked in the top 10 nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. Alumni of the master's program include leading risk managers and insurance industry executives, as well as agents and brokers. The RMI doctoral program is an on-campus program that prepares aspiring faculty to teach and conduct meaningful research at leading universities around the world.

About the Florida State University College of Business:

Founded in 1950, the FSU College of Business is one of the nation's youngest business schools, yet it has become one of the 10 largest in the United States. It is the second largest academic unit on the Florida State campus with an enrollment of more than 6,000 students and boasts a distinguished full-time faculty of 114, including one Francis Eppes Professor, eight Eminent Scholar chairs, three university-named professorships and 30 endowed professorships. For more information, visit www.cob.fsu.edu.