Thank You for Making #GIS2019 A Success!

2019 Annual Conference Recap

#GIS2019 Award Winners, Featured Speakers, and More!

Highlights

48th Annual International Conference

#GIS2019 was an incredible success with 628 students and advisors representing 65 colleges and universities and more than 400 industry representatives and alumni gathering at The Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas from September 26-28. 80 exhibiting organizations participated in the largest career fair of its kind. Students gained insights from industry leaders in 30+ educational and informational sessions , including diversity & inclusion sessions. Special thanks to our Sustaining Partners , 2019 Conference Sponsors , industry partners, and speakers who made it all possible! Follow us on social media to see more from the conference: #GammaIS #GIS2019

Read the Full Wrap-Up Press Release!

Thank you to our conference speakers and our incredible keynotes!

Christopher J. Swift, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Hartford

Patricia Titus, Chief Privacy and Information Security Officer at Markel Corporation

View Our Full List of Speakers Here!

GIS Career Center

The premier centralized location for employers to post and candidates to search through and apply for internship and entry-level opportunities across the industry. Employers can also search through student profiles, so students, be sure to upload your resume! Visit the GIS Career Center.

Take advantage of another opportunity to connect with the industry and explore careers: the October 8 Virtual Fair exclusively with Sustaining Partners!

Gamma Welcomes New Chapters at the Annual Conference

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming 3 newly chartered chapters and 2 approved universities who will be chartering this year. Gamma Mu Chapter at Lansing Community College chartered on September 20, while Gamma Nu Chapter at Samford University and Gamma Xi Chapter at Texas Christian University both chartered at the Annual Conference! During the conference, The Board of Trustees unanimously approved charters at the University of Southern California and the University of Mount Union , who will be chartering in 2019. Welcome to the #GammaFamily!

Roll Call Skits Video Winner

Congratulations to the Beta Phi Chapter from the University of Texas at Dallas for winning the 2019 Roll Call Skits Video Contest at the Annual International Conference!

Watch the Winning Video Here!

Individual Award Winners

During the Annual Awards Dinner, we recognized outstanding individuals receiving awards for their leadership over the 2018-2019 academic year. Congratulations to the following 2018-2019 individual award winners!

Warren L. Weeks Sr. Scholarship

Haley Walters , Kappa Chapter, Arizona State University

Melanie Keusch , Alpha Alpha Chapter, Olivet College

Anita Benedetti Memorial Award

Rudy Martinez , Beta Xi Chapter, St. Mary's University

Thomas J. Miles Award

Ashley Gao , Gamma Beta Chapter, The University of Akron

Alan C. Williams Leadership Award

Larry Lewis , Sigma Chapter, Temple University

Elizabeth Lange/Microsoft Award

Emma Sweeney , Sigma Chapter, Temple University

Exemplary Leadership

Wes Griffiths , Board of Trustees President, 2018-2019

Faculty Advisor of the Year Award

Dr. Jill Bisco , Gamma Beta Chapter, The University of Akron

Dr. David Sommer , Beta Xi Chapter, St. Mary's University

Chapter Award Winners

During the Annual Awards Dinner, we recognized chapters that went above and beyond during the 2018-2019 academic year. Congratulations to the following 2018-2019 chapter award winners!

Edison L. Bowers Award

Alpha Iota Chapter , St. John's University

Black and Gold Award Winners

Alpha Iota , St. John's University - "Gamma Closet, #WomenCrushingWednesday"

Gamma Beta , The University of Akron - "Risky Run Virtual 5k"

Kappa , Arizona State University - "Diversity & Inclusion Series"

Sigma , Temple University - "Charity of Choice Video, Healthcare Management Career Development Committee, Liaison Announcement Distribution, This Week in Series"

Excellent Chapter Award

Alpha Kappa Chapter , Illinois State University

Alpha Omega Chapter , St. Joseph's University

Beta Gamma Chapter , California State University in Fullerton

Beta Iota Chapter , Troy University

Iota Chapter , Florida State University

Well-Rounded Chapter Award

Rho , Appalachian State University

Kappa , Arizona State University

Phi , Ball State University

Alpha Pi , Baylor University

Beta Lambda , Butler University

Beta Theta , East Carolina University

Psi , Eastern Kentucky University

Upsilon , Ferris State University

Zeta , Georgia State University

Tau , Howard University

Alpha Epsilon , Indiana State University

Omega , Middle Tennessee State University

Alpha Lambda , Missouri State University

Beta Beta , New Mexico State University

Gamma Epsilon , North Central College

Alpha Phi , Old Dominion University

Beta Xi , St. Mary's University

Gamma Beta , University of Akron

Alpha Psi , University of Central Arkansas

Gamma , University of Cincinnati

Xi , University of Connecticut

Eta , University of Georgia

Alpha Upsilon , University of Houston

Gamma Iota , University of Nebraska Lincoln

Alpha Tau , University of North Carolina - Charlotte

Lambda , University of South Carolina

Beta Pi , University of St. Thomas

Gamma Zeta , University of Texas at Austin

Gamma Theta , University of Texas El Paso

Beta Rho , University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh

Most Improved Chapter

Beta Gamma Chapter , California State University in Fullerton

Alpha Omega Chapter , St. Joseph's University

Psi Chapter , Eastern Kentucky University

Alpha Pi Chapter , Baylor University

Special Achievement Award

Gamma Epsilon Chapter , North Central College

Gamma Zeta Chapter , The University of Texas at Austin

Gamma Theta Chapter , The University of Texas at El Paso

Best Kept Secret Award

Beta Xi Chapter , St. Mary’s University

Superior Chapter Award

Alpha Alpha Chapter , Olivet College

Alpha Iota Chapter , St. John’s University

Beta Epsilon Chapter , The University of Central Oklahoma

Beta Phi Chapter , The University of Texas at Dallas

Chi Chapter , Drake University

Nu Chapter , Central Michigan University

Sigma Chapter , Temple University

International Chapter Awards

The International Chapter Awards were created to encourage each chapter to develop chapter activities around the five vital areas of participation in Gamma Iota Sigma: Chapter Management, Membership Development, Alumni Relations, Public Relations, and Community Service.

Diversity & Inclusion Industry Champion of the Year

We are thrilled to recognize Travelers as the Industry Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year ! This award is bestowed annually by the GammaSAID Council on one of Gamma Iota Sigma’s Sustaining Partners for their exemplary inclusive recruiting practices and demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout their organization and across the industry. Congratulations!

Giving Back at #GIS2019

Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation was the charity of choice for this year's Annual Conference. More than 150 students volunteered at the Literacy Fair by engaging in crafts, puppet making, and literacy activities with over 40 local families and children. Our students also wrote letters of appreciation to our servicemen and service women overseas with the A Million Thanks project. #GammaIS always eager to give back!

The annual IICF Week of Giving is from October 12-19, 2019, and we are encouraging students and industry professionals to take some time to give back to the community through different forms of service! We will be using #GammaIS and #IICFWeekofGiving on all social media platforms to highlight this special week!

Alumni Updates at the Annual Conference

Alumni Council Leadership

Join us in welcoming Traci Hastings , Sarah Johnson , and Mike Kelly as the incoming President, Vice President, and Secretary, respectively. We look forward to your leadership for the 2019-2020 year!

Thank you to Traci Smith , Alyssa Bouchard , and Jon Perry for serving the Alumni Council from 2018 to 2019!

Alumnus of the Year Award

Jon Perry served as the President of the Alumni Council for the 2018-2019 year. He has served on the GIS Board of Trustees and Executive Committee for the last 2 years. He is heavily involved in the Chicago Alumni Chapter and his alma mater of Alpha Kappa Chapter at Illinois State University. Congratulations, Jon!

Alumnus of the Year Award

Robin Joines is an alumnus of the Iota Chapter who currently serves as President of the Spencer Educational Foundation. Her commitment to the future of the industry has meaningfully advanced efforts for student engagement and created critical exposure opportunities. Congratulations, Robin!

Alumni Council Chapter of the Year

We are pleased to announce the Alumni Council Chapter of the Year Award, presented to a chapter in recognition for engaging alumni, supporting student chapters, and furthering the mission of Gamma Iota Sigma. Congratulations to the Atlanta Alumni Chapter !

Insurance Nerds Day at the Gamma Iota Sigma Annual Conference

Insurance Nerds Day took place Saturday during the Annual International Conference and featured dynamic speakers and programming. Gamma was pleased to again join forces with Tony Cañas, Carly Burnham, and Nick Lamparelli. Thank you to Insurance Nerds and your speakers!

Gamma Iota Sigma at InsureTech Connect

Last month, InsureTech Connect and Gamma Iota Sigma announced the ITC 2019 Student Program. Last week, the 20 recipients of the ITC 2019 Student Program had the opportunity to attend the world’s largest insurtech event, offering unparalleled access to the most comprehensive gathering of tech entrepreneurs, investors and insurance industry executives from across the globe!