RMI student wins Spencer Scholarship

Chase Howard

The Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) program at ECU’s College of Business continues to produce future leaders. Case in point is Chase Howard. The Kinston-native and rising senior recently was awarded the 2020 John T. Lockton Memorial Scholarship through the Spencer, an organization dedicated to helping fund the education of tomorrow’s RMI leaders.

The scholarship has a value of $5,000 and is awarded annually to undergraduate risk management/insurance and business administration majors.

“The Spencer Foundation generously supported me through my doctoral program, and I would not be where I am today without Spencer,” said Dr. Brenda Wells, director of the College’s RMI program. “It is a great honor for an ECU student to receive Spencer support for his or her educational journey.  We are so proud of Chase!”

Here’s a fun fact. Howard originally was an accounting major. He became intrigued with RMI after Wells visited his financial management class. Then, after meeting with Wells and Kurt Fickling, teaching instructor and industry veteran, Howard learned more about the program and “saw an area where my talents would be used to the best of their ability, and my chance for success had no ceiling,” said Howard.

“I would invite anyone that isn’t sure if they are in the right major to take a minute to meet with these wonderful leaders (Wells and Fickling),” added Howard. “There are endless…jobs besides being an insurance salesman in this industry.”

Regarding the RMI industry, Howard is taking full advantage of the opportunities the College’s RMI program provides. He’s interning – remotely – this summer at an AmWINS branch in Morehead City.

Last year, Rachel Pleasants also won a Spencer Scholarship. She is currently an underwriter trainee at Beazley.

Since 1979, Spencer has awarded more than 1,127 scholarships totaling approximately $7.4 million.