Published: November 23, 2009 09:28 pm         

Insurance and risk management students win top honors

An Indiana State University student has been awarded a scholarship presented annually by one of the nation’s leading business fraternities.

Gamma Iota Sigma — a fraternal organization that seeks to enhance the professionalism of students in the risk management, health care risk management, and actuarial science programs — annually honors only one college student with a scholarship named in honor of the organization’s founder.

Terri Ketzner, an ISU junior majoring in insurance and risk management from Ferdinand, brought home that prestigious Warren L. Weeks scholarship last month from the organization’s 38th annual conference.

Nearly 30 chapters were represented at the conference this year at Temple University in Philadelphia. The ISU Alpha Epsilon chapter tied with Temple’s chapter for most awards won.

Ketzner, who was nominated by adviser Rebecca Shorter, was honored because of her leadership qualities and her interest in furthering the goals of Gamma Iota Sigma.

While Ketzner is the first ISU student to receive this honor, she believes the award says more about the accomplishments of the ISU chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma than her own accomplishments.

“I feel grateful for this award but could not have done it without the support and involvement of the Alpha Epsilon chapter and its members,” she said.

The ISU chapter won five other awards: the Chapter Management Award, the Membership Development Award, the Black and Gold Award Community Service Pairing with Industry Award, the Black and Gold Award for Gamma Iota Sigma Rush Week, and the Black and Gold Hugs and Kisses Award. The chapter last won an award in 2001.

Paige Williams, the group’s vice president of public relations and a senior from Terre Haute, said the recognition demonstrates that the chapter is well-developed professionally and is delivering quality work.

“These awards prove it by helping us stand out,” she said.

Other students who attended the conference were Cecilia Emmons of French Lick, Catherine Price of Terre Haute, Julie Alig of Portland, Ind., Sara Mays of Paoli, Ryan Teppen of Evansville, David Walters of Valparaiso and Nathan Lloyd of North Liberty.