Yesterday, Baldwin Risk Partners (BRP Group), a Florida-based insurance broker, announced a $5.2 million donation to the University of South Florida's (USF) Muma College of Business.

The gift, which is the largest in USF's Sarasota-Manatee campus history, will support educational programs in the risk and insurance fields. The university will rename the existing School of Risk Management and Insurance as the Baldwin Risk Partners School of Risk Management and Insurance.

“BRP's milestone investment will allow the University of South Florida to grow the school into a powerhouse in risk management and insurance education and prepare future generations of insurance industry leaders for high-demand roles that are critical to supporting Florida's economy," said Rhea Law, president, USF.

This investment will directly address the talent gap and aging insurance workforce by providing scholarships to attract students to the major, as well as resources to support their engagement with industry leaders. BRP Group will partner with USF to revamp the existing risk management and insurance curriculum and will collaborate with USF to integrate students and graduates from the program into the company's talent recruiting program.

“Our firm has a deep commitment to each of our key stakeholders, which include our clients, our colleagues, insurance company partners and our communities," said Lowry Baldwin, chairman and co-founder, BRP Group. “We're proud to support the risk management discipline through this partnership to develop a world-class educational program. This investment will broaden awareness of the diversity of career options available within this field of study and fuel the next generation of industry leaders." 

While the school is located on the Sarasota-Manatee campus, the gift will serve risk management and insurance programs on each of USF's three campuses. As it grows, the school will hire additional faculty-scholars to teach in the program, as well as to conduct scholarly inquiries into emerging opportunities. The gift will also support industry education outreach.

“Our local insurance professionals and community partners have helped build the foundation for the School of Risk Management and Insurance," said Karen A. Holbrook, USF Sarasota-Manatee campus regional chancellor. “We are thrilled to have the support from BRP to expand and elevate the RMI program on our campus and throughout USF."

“It is exceptionally gratifying to see community leaders and USF family members make such a significant investment in USF in this way," said GJ de Vreede, interim dean, USF Muma College of Business. “Their gift will address a major industry need, changing both the industry and the lives of students for many years to come."

Olivia Overman is IA content editor.