Contact: Sammy McDavid
As part of the university's Mississippi Insurance Day program Wednesday [April 18] at the Wise Center, Mississippi State will recognize the permanent endowment of its professorship in insurance.
The College of Business and Industry's Peter K. Lutken Chair of Insurance was established in 1978 as a memorial to the retired insurance executive who played a major role in developing the South's insurance industry. Lutken was president of the Jackson-based Lamar Life Insurance Co. for a quarter-century.
The professorship is supported by gifts from all levels of the insurance industry. The Lutken family, Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co., State Farm Insurance Co., and Moss Point insurance executive Thomas L. "Pete" Delashmet also helped finalize the endowment.
Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance George Dale, along with Jose Montemayer and Nathaniel Shapo, his respective counterparts in Texas and Illinois, will speak at the 9 a.m. opening session. They are among nearly 350 expected for the 14th annual event.
The daylong program of continuing education sessions traditionally draws insurance attorneys, claims adjusters and agents. Fire investigators, legislators, municipal and county managers, and law enforcement officials are among others who regularly attend.
Dean Sara Freedman said permanent endowment of the Lutken chair enables the College of Business and Industry to expand its outreach activities to the insurance and business communities, and to increase the amount and number of scholarships for students majoring in risk management and insurance.
"It is appropriate to have this chair, named for Mr. Lutken, play a leadership role both in expanding educational opportunities for students and in providing research and service to insurance professionals," Freedman said.
For more information, telephone Robert Hershbarger at (662) 325-7475.