Most people spend their lives avoiding risky situations, but some people make a living seeking them out and finding solutions and alternatives to mitigate them. Four Missouri State University students recently participated in the Spencer-Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) Risk Management Challenge this spring and placed second overall.

“There were 20 schools participating in the challenge,” said Dr. Stan Adamson, ARM, associate professor of finance and general business and Baker Chair of Insurance. “Each school had to prepare a report analyzing a case study containing a proposal for the risk consulting and brokerage services of The Walt Disney Company.”

The 10-page proposal included identification and assessment of key risks that Disney should focus on, as well as treatment and alternatives for each of those risks. The top eight teams, including Appalachian State University, Butler University, Florida State University, St. Mary’s University, Temple University, Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Georgia, were chosen to attend the 2015 Annual RIMS Conference in New Orleans and present their proposals in front of a panel of judges.

The individual team members—Jennifer Richey, Hillary Rice, Casey Cornelius and Jared Huffman—received a trophy and an individual cash prize for their placement. This is only the second year that MSU has competed in the competition.

“While our students get multiple job offers, this will further interest in our RMI students,” said Adamson. “The insurance industry’s demand is at an all-time high and will need to hire 400,000 people in the next five years.”