Career Resource Center - Student
KS Students Achieving Excellence
Post Graduate Information Form
Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate.
John Culver Wooddy Scholarship Award
Foundation for Agency Management Excellence (FAME
Foundation for Agency Management Excellence (FAME
Ashley Rieger is a recipient of the Spencer Educational Foundation Award.
Lisa Pankau is a recipient of the Robert E. and John P. Gallagher Memorial Scholarship.
Scott Adams is a recipient of the Spencer Educational Foundation Award.
Mira Andreeva is a recipient of the Spencer Educational Foundation Award.
Sarah Coglianese is a recipient of the Spencer Educational Foundation Award.
Allen Kus is a recipient of the Spencer Educational Foundation Award.
Lauren Peggau is the recipient of the Association of Professional Insurance Women [Lana James Memorial] Scholarship
Aaron Augustyniak is the 2011 - 2012 President of Gamma Iota Sigma, Alpha Kappa Chapter.The Katie School of Insurance and Financial Services attracts some of the best and brightest students from around the country. Throughout their terms at Illinois State University and within the Katie School of Insurance, these students are often recognized for their outstanding achievements. Many former students attribute the Katie School with a major role in their successes by providing students with opportunities to build their professional skills, leadership experience, and exposure within the industry. These high-achieving students speak for the exceptional quality of education provided by Illinois State University and the Katie School of Insurance. These are some of the Katie School students achieving excellence:
Ashley Rieger is a Katie School senior double majoring in Insurance and Finance. Ashley has thoroughly enjoyed her involved in Gamma Iota Sigma since her sophomore year. The Katie School and Gamma specifically have provided her with an abundance of opportunities such as company visits, networking events, socials, and conferences that have all helped to broaden her knowledge about the insurance industry and strengthen her professional skills. One of the most influential experiences she has participated in was the Katie School International Internship to Zurich, Switzerland. Her knowledge of insurance was broadened in more ways than one. After her internship in Zurich, she traveled to Baltimore, Maryland for an internship with a wholesale brokerage, All Risks Ltd.
Ashley is also very involved in the College of Business. She is the president of Delta Sigma Pi, a co-ed professional business fraternity. She is also the social activity coordinator for College of Business Executive Council. Ashley enjoys holding executive positions because it allows her to grow as a professional and prepare for the business world.
Ashley was awarded the Spencer Education Award in the spring of 2011. The Spencer Scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the Chicago Chapter of Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. RIMS Chicago Chapter President, Alan W. Kubitz who wishes to assist and commend students for their hard work and dedication as future professionals in the insurance industry.
Upon graduation in the spring, Ashley hopes to work at a wholesale brokerage. Ashley is honored and excited to be Director of Publicity of Gamma Iota Sigma and to help the organization reach new heights this year. “Becoming an officer in Gamma Iota Sigma will allow me to pass along the professional insight that I have gained to younger members in the organization,” Ashley states. She is truly thankful that Illinois State University offers such a great insurance program and has Gamma Iota Sigma so students are able to get involved in the insurance industry.
Lisa Pankau is a senior in the Actuarial Program with minors in Insurance and Spanish. She is currently an officer in the Actuarial Club. She has passed two actuarial exams and is studying for her third. She has been involved in Gamma Iota Sigma since she started at Illinois State University her sophomore year, and has enjoyed the many opportunities that Gamma Iota Sigma has had to offer over the years. She believes that involvement in Gamma Iota Sigma is an important part of her education because it provides her the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and gain an understanding of the business aspects of the insurance industry that will be just as important in her future career as the mathematics and statistics that she studies in the classroom.
Through her involvement with Gamma Iota Sigma and the Katie School of Insurance, Lisa was awarded the Robert E. and John P. Gallagher Memorial Scholarship, created through the generosity of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Lisa appreciates the company’s commitment to helping students achieve their educational and career goals, and is honored to have been selected for the award. She also appreciates all of the hard work that the Katie School has done to make the insurance program at Illinois State University such a strong program full of opportunity.
Scott Adams is a senior at Illinois State University double majoring in insurance and finance. This current year Scott has been elected to the position of Vice President of Internal Affairs for Gamma Iota Sigma and is excited about helping the president manage the chapter's operations. Scott has completed one CPCU exam and is currently in the process of studying for another exam. Throughout his junior year, Scott participated in a wide range of events such as: REBEX, the 2011 NAPSLO Symposium, and the Reinsurance Basics Conference offered by the RAA. Scott also took advantage of the opportunity to participate in the Katie School Student Leadership Program, where he performed a risk management survey for a local nonprofit organization and presented the findings as part of a group. One of the most beneficial experiences Scott has experienced through the Katie School of Insurance was completing an international internship in Bermuda with fellow student, Allen Kus. During the three weeks of the internship, Scott met with insurers, reinsurers, brokers, captive managers, law firms, and Bermudian regulatory bodies.
The rest of Scott's past summer was spent with Zurich North America in the Global Corporate division in Schaumburg and Chicago, IL. While in his internship, Scott was exposed to underwriting, reinsurance, and actuarial operations. Scott describes his opportunity at Zurich North America as a unique chance to gain insight into the day to day operations of a commercial insurer while still in school. This internship has reaffirmed Scott's goal to pursue a career in underwriting upon graduation.
Scott is very appreciative of the scholarship that he received from the Spencer Educational Foundation. The scholarships that the Spencer Educational Foundation provides to student are helping to pave the way for the next generation of insurance professionals. Additionally, Scott received a scholarship from the Central Illinois Chapter of the CPCU Society.
Scott's additional extracurricular involvement at Illinois State University includes being a participant in the public speaking club of Toastmasters, a member of the business honors fraternity, Beta Gamma Sigma, and the professional business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi. Scott is a four time member of the dean's list. Scott recommends that students explore all of the opportunities presented by the insurance major before dismissing the insurance industry as a career path choice. Scott realizes that the opportunities afforded to him by the Katie School of Insurance would not be possible without the efforts of Debbie Babcock, Jim Jones, and the all of the Katie School staff and the funding of all of our sponsors.
Mira Andreeva is a senior majoring in insurance and graduating in May 2012. Mira has been involved in the Katie School and with Gamma Iota Sigma since the start of her sophomore year. Due to her involvement she was elected the position on the executive board as the Vice President of Student Affairs. She has learned many different things since joining Gamma including valuable networking and interviewing skills.
Mira has also participated in the many different opportunities offered by the Katie School including company visits, golf outings, numerous guest speakers, conferences, and symposiums. She has already been fortunate enough to attend conferences such the Troy Symposium in Alabama, NAPSLO, and RIMS in Vancouver, Canada. Mira is also very involved in in the College of Business Student Ambassadors and she enjoys her current employment as a student worker in the College of Business Dean’s office and as mathematics tutor at the Julia N. Visor Academic Center. Last spring, Mira was also awarded the Connie Krug Award for being actively involved within the College of Business.
Because of Mira's involvement she was awarded the Spencer Education Award in the spring of 2011. The Spencer Scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the Chicago Chapter of Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. RIMS Chicago Chapter President, Alan W. Kibitz who wishes to assist and commend students for their hard work and dedication as future professionals in the insurance industry.
Mira also gained valuable knowledge and understanding in the insurance industry through an international internship to Zurich, Switzerland, provided by the Katie School of Insurance. On the internship she met and shadowed industry professionals at over eight different companies. After Mira returned from Zurich she interned as a Commercial Lines Property Underwriter at Indiana Insurance Member of Liberty Mutual Group. “Without the support and guidance from the Katie School I would not be the professional young woman I am today,” Mira admits. Mira could not be more thankful and happy to apart of such a tremendous insurance program such as the Katie School and strongly encourages other students to become more involved. Mira would also like to thank Debbie Babcock, Jim Jones, and the rest of the Katie School faculty for all the great opportunities.
Brett Glaser is a Katie School junior double majoring in Insurance and Finance. Brett started becoming active in Gamma Iota Sigma this academic school year. The Katie School of Insurance and Gamma Iota Sigma have provided Brett with many opportunities such as lunch-and-learns with different insurance companies, networking events, and professional speakings that have helped him gain more knowledge about the different aspects and career opportunities within the insurance industry.
Brett was awarded a FAME scholarship by the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers from Washington D.C. The Foundation for Agency Management Excellence provides these scholarships to assist in the education of future insurance leaders.
Brett hopes to take advantage of all opportunities that are presented by the Katie School of Insurance and Gamma Iota Sigma. He hopes to attend conferences and apply for leadership positions and international internships offered by the Katie School of Insurance. Brett would like to thank Debbie Babcock, Jim Jones, and the rest of the Katie School faculty for helping him gain professional skills and knowledge of the insurance industry.
Sarah Coglianese is a senior insurance major at the Katie School of Insurance at Illinois State University. She has been an active member of the Katie School and Gamma Iota Sigma since her arrival at Illinois State University. Currently, she holds the position of Treasurer for Gamma Iota Sigma's treasurer.
Sarah has attended numerous educational "lunch-and-learn" sessions on topics such as reinsurance, surplus lines, and networking. She has also had the opportunity to attend company visits to Gen Re and Chartis, as well as attend the Inland Marine Underwriters Association annual meeting in 2011.
Sarah was awarded the Spencer Education Award in the spring of 2011. The Spencer Scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the Chicago Chapter of Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. The focus of the scholarship is to assist and commend students for their hard work and dedication as future professionals in the insurance industry.
In addition to her involvement in the Katie School and Gamma Iota Sigma, Sarah is the Co-Director of Social Events at the ISU Wesley Foundation. When not participating in her student organizations or studying, Sarah trains in preparation for the Chicago Marathon. Sarah is running the marathon to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
In the summer of 2011, Sarah participated in Travelers Underwriting Professional Development Program for Interns. During her time with Travelers, she worked in the Excess Casualty department in the Chicago office. She also had the opportunity to shadow employees in other departments as well as travel to their home office. Upon graduation in May 2012, Sarah plans to work in the insurance or reinsurance industry as an underwriter. Sarah would like to thank Debbie Babcock, Jim Jones, and the entire Katie School for all of their encouragement, support, and guidance. Sarah is indebted to the Katie School. She believes, "Without the Katie School and the entire staff, I would not have had the opportunity to learn about the different facets of the insurance industry."
Josh Angelos is a Katie School senior who is majoring in Insurance with a minor in Financial Planning. Josh has really enjoyed his time with Gamma Iota Sigma since his Junior year. The Katie School and Gamma specifically have provided him with many opportunities such as networking events, socials, and the opportunity to be matched up with a mentor. One of the best opportunities that has come from being with the Katie School is the networking events.
Through his involvement with Gamma Iota Sigma and the Katie School of Insurance, Josh was awarded the FAME Scholarship. Josh really appreciates the FAME board of directors for recognizing him and helping him achieve his educational and career goals. He is greatly honored to have been selected by the board. He also greatly appreciates the Katie School for helping developing him to be a better professional and person through Gamma Iota Sigma and the insurance program.
Allen Kus is currently a senior at Illinois State University double majoring in insurance and marketing with a sales concentration. This current school year Allen has been named the Director of Alumni Affairs for Gamma Iota Sigma and is greatly looking forward to keeping Alumni aware of current events and achievements of Katie School students.
Throughout his junior year, Allen attended such events as: Association of Lloyd’s Brokers Golf Outing, REBEX, the NAPSLO Surplus Lines Symposium, RIMS 2011 Vancouver and the Reinsurance Basics Conference offered by the RAA in downtown Chicago. Ultimately, the most incredible experience through the Katie School that Allen had was a three week international internship in Bermuda. During this time, Allen was able to view many different areas of the insurance industry such as: reinsurance, captive insurance, broking, claims, actuarial science, and much more. While in Bermuda, Allen fully realized just how much opportunity the insurance industry has to offer.
This past summer, Allen was also fortunate enough to have more exposure to the insurance industry through the Lockton Companies, LLC in Kansas City, MO. Allen describes his experience as “an unmatched opportunity that allowed me to learn firsthand from an incredibly knowledgeable and helpful group of insurance professionals.” After this internship, Allen is very intent on joining the insurance industry in the brokerage field, but would also enjoy any opportunities in underwriting.
Allen has also been very grateful for the funding and support that has come from the Spencer Educational Foundation. “Upon hearing news of earning this scholarship, I was very shocked, humbled, of the generosity that the Spencer Foundation displayed to me.” Last year Allen was also was also a recipient of scholarships from Travelers Insurance and Arthur J. Gallagher.
Besides involvement with the Katie School, Allen has been named a Certified Sales Scholar through Professional Sales Institute at Illinois State, a certified leasing agent at Young America Realty in Normal, IL, and is an active member in the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. Allen is also working towards attaining the CPCU designation during his time at Illinois State. Allen encourages all students unsure of their career path to consider all of the benefits insurance has to offer. Last and most important, Allen would like to thank Debbie Babcock, Jim Jones, and all Katie School staff and supporters for providing him with an unmatched and beneficial development opportunity here at Illinois State.
Lauren Peggau is a Katie School senior who will be graduating in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Insurance / Risk Management. Lauren has been very involved with Gamma Iota Sigma by holding a leadership position from 2011 - 2012 as Director of Volunteer Efforts. She has also been very involved within the Katie School, which has provided her with many great opportunities that have allowed her to gain some great experience in the industry. Lauren is also a student worker in the Katie School during her senior year. In the summer of 2011, she interned at Lockton Companies, LLC, which not only reinforced everything Lauren has learned in school, but also solidified her career path in the insurance and risk management industry.
Lauren has had the privilige of attending various industry conferences such as NAPSLO, IMUA, and The Katie School Symposium. Lauren is looking forward to graduating in May and taking advantage of as many opportunities as possible within the Katie School and Gamma until then. "I would not be where I am today without the Katie School, and I am so thankful for everything. It has been a truly transformational experience as I am beginning to move from a student to a professional. I'm glad that students at Illinois State have so many growing opportunties to succeed in Insurance". Lauren is also a member of the Financial Management Association as well as Sigma Alpha Lambda, a national leadership and honors organization. She has also been recognized on the dean's list.
As a result of Lauren's achievements and involvement within the industry, she was awarded the Association of Professional Insurance Women (APIW) scholarship in the spring of 2011. Each year since 1987, APIW has awarded scholarships to worthy students at St. John's University, the School of Risk Management, as well as the Katie School of Insurance at Illinois State University. Lauren recieved the "Lana James Memorial Scholarship," in honor of a dedicated APIW volunteer and Board Member who died prematurely in 1992. She also recieved scholarships from Chubb Group, Connor & Gallagher, and won the first place scholarship in the Insurance & Sustainability Writing Contest in 2011. Lauren is honored to recieve these scholarships, and thanks Debbie Babcock, Jim Jones, and the rest of the Katie School for providing each Insurance / Risk Management student with incredible opportunities to learn, grow and succeed year after year.
Aaron Augustyniak is a Katie School senior double majoring in Insurance and Finance. Aaron has been involved in the Katie School and with Gamma Iota Sigma since the start of his sophomore year. Due to his involvement he was elected Gamma Iota Sigma's president for the 2011 - 2012 school year. He has learned many different things since joining Gamma including valuable networking and interviewing skills.
Aaron has also participated in the many different opportunities offered by the Katie School including company visits, golf outings, and numerous guest speakers, conferences and symposiums. He has already been fortunate enough to attend conferences such as RIMS and NAPSLO. Aaron is also very involved in other organizations at ISU including Illinois State Club Baseball where he was the vice-president last year.
Aaron has grown and improved his knowledge throughout the insurance industry by having the opportunity to experience an international internship to London, UK, provided by the Katie School of Insurance. On this internship he was able to shadow underwriters and brokers for 4 weeks in Lloyd’s of London.
After Aaron finished his internship in London, he worked for COUNTRY Financial in Bloomington, IL where he had the responsibility of performing life/health underwriting. While working for COUNTRY, Aaron was able to experience many of the day-to-day activities of an underwriter while interacting with industry professionals. Aaron is working towards obtaining his CPCU designation and also will be working towards obtaining his ASLI. Aaron says, "This year has been a life changing year with all the wonderful opportunities the Katie School has made possible to me. I could not be more thankful and happy to attend such a wonderful university that has a tremendous insurance program like the Katie School offers here at Illinois State University." Aaron would like to send a special thank you to Debbie Babcock, Jim Jones, and the rest of the Katie School faculty for providing such great opportunities for its students to learn, grow, and succeed.
