IIANC Donates $75,000 to ECU College of Business

Left to right, College of Business Dean Stan Eakins, ECU Department of Finance Chair Scott Below, ECU RMI Program Director Brenda Wells, and Associate Professor Brad Karl stand with IIANC CEO Aubie Knight at the check presentation. (Contributed photo)

The Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC) recently donated $75,000 to support ECU’s Risk Management and Insurance program in the College of Business.

As part of the IIANC’s gift, $25,000 will fund a new student scholarship in honor of Stuart Powell, an insurance veteran who serves as IIANC’s vice president. In addition, $20,000 of the donation will support risk management and insurance research conducted by Assistant Professor Brad Karl. The gift will also support the program’s general operating fund.

A statewide trade association representing nearly 1,000 independent insurance agencies, the IIANC continues to be a strong supporter of ECU. The organization endowed ECU’s Robert F. Bird Distinguished Professorship in Insurance in 2013.

The College of Business began offering a Risk Management and Insurance program in 2011 and now has more than 85 students enrolled. It is one of the fastest growing programs in the country and is supported by endowments from both the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina as well as the North Carolina Surplus Lines Association.