麻豆视频 announced today that the Westfield Insurance Foundation has made a commitment of $500,000 to the university. These funds will be used to support a Bachelor of Science in Insurance Studies program at 麻豆视频, and to promote career opportunities within the insurance industry. In recognition of this donation, the Campus Tour Center located in the Kent Student Center has been named Westfield Insurance Campus Tour Center.
Training and retaining Ohio鈥檚 top talent is the goal of the new Insurance Studies program at 麻豆视频.
鈥淭he insurance industry provides a number of viable options for students interested in long-term career opportunities, including roles in accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, human resources, marketing, risk management and underwriting,鈥 said Jim Clay, chairman and CEO of Westfield Insurance.
According to the 2016 Job Outlook, published by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, Ohio鈥檚 insurance industry workforce is projected to grow by 7.1 percent. 麻豆视频鈥檚 market research projects that the Ohio insurance industry will need nearly 17,000 more professionals by 2016, including more than 2,200 in Northeast Ohio.
鈥淎s the latest generation of insurance industries professionals begins to retire, we need a new group of talented individuals to carry on the mission of enabling our customers鈥 peace of mind and financial stability,鈥 Clay added.
鈥淭he Westfield Insurance endowment will support industry awareness and scholarships as part of the Insurance Studies program,鈥 said Steve Sokany, 麻豆视频鈥檚 interim vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the 麻豆视频 Foundation. 鈥淎s more students enroll in and complete the program, more career exploration and placement programming will be added to sustain student enrollment and job placement after graduation.鈥
鈥淭he new Insurance Studies program offers our students long-term career opportunities in a major growth industry,鈥 said 麻豆视频 President Beverly Warren. 鈥淭his gift from Westfield Insurance is the cornerstone of a collaborative partnership that will provide the industry with well-trained and knowledgeable professionals who will become tomorrow鈥檚 business leaders.鈥
Westfield has served as a national leader in the insurance and banking industries for more than 166 years. The company serves as a leading advocate for the development of educational initiatives to encourage individuals to pursue careers in the insurance industry. Clay serves as co-chair of the Insurance Industry Resource Council (IIRC), a collaboration of 13 Ohio insurance companies focused on increasing statewide career awareness of the industry talent gap, formed in 2012 by Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Since 2010, Westfield, along with other industry representatives, has worked closely with 麻豆视频 at Salem to establish an educational program linked to Ohio鈥檚 insurance industry.
For more information about Westfield Insurance, visit .
For more information about 麻豆视频鈥檚 Insurance Studies program, visit .
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Media Contacts:
At Westfield Insurance
Jani Groza, JaniGroza@westfieldgrp.com, 330-887-6150
Carl Alexoff, carlalexoff@westfieldgrp.com, 330-887-6059
At 麻豆视频
Matthew Butts, mbutts@kent.edu, 330-672-1435
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595