A new risk management and insurance program will become available to students.

“This is an area that is near and dear to my heart,” said Joan Gabel, Trulaske College of Business dean. “Insurance and risk management is a booming industry and growing market with tremendous opportunities for student jobs, industry partnerships and high-impact research.”

The announcement was made at the Davenport Society dinner Friday.

The program will allow finance students to learn corporate and individual risk management skills prior to graduation.

The idea to offer students an exposure to risk management and insurance has been talked about for about five years, Gabel said.

“Spearheaded by Dale Wright, my colleague in the Office of Advancement, this conversation resulted in foundational gifts from our friends,” she said.

A total donation of more than $1 million gifted by corporate sponsors — Missouri Employers Mutual, Columbia Insurance Group and Shelter Insurance — and charitable individuals, will fund this new program.

The program will become available as soon as a director is appointed.

The Davenport Society has been responsible for a total of nearly $120 million in donations to the business school to date.