Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

Team from Appalachian wins Spencer RIMS Risk Management Challenge

View larger image

A student team from Appalachian State University’s Walker College of Business has won the national Spencer RIMS Risk Management Challenge. Members of the team are Eric Vickers, left, from Whiteville, Bruce Thomas from Charlotte, Grant Jared from Winston-Salem and Wes McDaniel from Charlotte. They were accompanied by Brantley Risk and Insurance Center Director Karen Epermanis, who served as their faculty advisor. (Photo submitted)

Posted April 29, 2015 at 3:21 p.m.

BOONE—Risk management and insurance (RMI) majors from Appalachian State University have won the national Spencer-RIMS Risk Management Challenge. The final presentation rounds were held in conjunction with the RIMS 2015 Annual Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 26-28.

The winning students are Eric Vickers from Whiteville, Bruce Thomas from Charlotte, Grant Jared from Winston-Salem and Wes McDaniel from Charlotte. They were accompanied by Brantley Risk and Insurance Center Director Karen Epermanis, who served as their faculty advisor.

“There was a very high caliber of talent and professionalism among the competitors,” Epermanis said. “Our students worked hard to prepare their written case analysis and their presentation. I’m very proud of them.”

Appalachian was among 18 university teams from across the United States that participated in the three-month competition that began when they received the challenge case for The Walt Disney Company. They were charged with providing a comprehensive risk analysis of company risks, along with recommendations.

The teams were comprised of undergraduate students engaged in their university’s risk management and insurance program.

A panel of risk management professionals judged the teams’ submissions, and the top eight teams were invited to present their findings at the National RIMS conference.

The top three teams, Appalachian, Missouri State University and Temple University – then presented to the panel of judges and RIMS members and session attendees on April 27.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Awards and Honors
  • Students

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Awards and Honors
  • Students

Other Recent Posts

  • App State awarded $2.3M to advance innovation in NC agriculture
    App State awarded $2.3M to advance innovation in NC agriculture
  • Kristen S. Bonatz appointed general counsel and vice chancellor of institutional integrity at App State
    Kristen S. Bonatz appointed general counsel and vice chancellor of institutional integrity at App State
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted June 4
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted June 4
  • App State student-athletes extend 3.0 GPA streak to 26 straight semesters
    App State student-athletes extend 3.0 GPA streak to 26 straight semesters
  • App State nursing program receives $1 million commitment from Bedford Falls Foundation
    App State nursing program receives $1 million commitment from Bedford Falls Foundation
  • 4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
    4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
  • App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
    App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
  • N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
    N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
  • App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
    App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
  • App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    WFDD

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat