Insurance Program Fi BY PAM RUTYNA
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harles M. Trubac, a former regional vice president for State Farm Insurance Company, once wrote, “There is no way we can borrow money to build a home, factory or an office building without the necessary property and liability coverage. One cannot drive a car without liability or no-fault insurance. People cannot be employed without worker’s compensation. And we cannot feel secure in life without adequate amounts of life and health protection.” With this in mind, Trubac, with the help of the college and fellow representatives of the insurance industry, set out to develop an Insurance and Risk Management (IRM) program at Olivet College. More than two and a half decades later, the program has increased from just a few students majoring in the field in the ’80s to more than 100 IRM majors today.
The history The IRM program originally began because of interest between Olivet students and industry representatives. In November 1979, the college held an Insurance Career Day, where professionals discussed the business with interested students. While the undergraduates were impressed with the insurance field, the representatives were so impressed with the caliber of the Olivet students that they decided to create an insurance education program at the college. “We wanted to begin teaching insurance courses because we needed to train people for this business,” said Trubac, who is an Olivet Board of Trustees Emeriti member. “I became interested in promoting insurance education because I believed there should be a better understanding of the important mission and tradition of insurance, regardless of your major.” These business leaders, along with Trubac, formed an insurance council, which focused on curriculum development and fundraising. They eventually became known as the Insurance Program Advisory Committee. Insurance courses first became available at Olivet in the fall of 1980 and were taught by insurance professionals.
Charles M. Trubac 6
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