Holmes Murphy, one of the nation’s largest independently owned insurance brokerages, has made a substantial financial commitment to a pioneering risk management and insurance program at the University of Iowa Henry B. Tippie College of Business. 

The college’s Vaughan Institute for Risk Management and Insurance—which launched a new undergraduate major in Fall 2023—prepares students to play a key role in promoting safe communities throughout the world.

Henry B. Tippie Dean Amy Kristof-Brown says Holmes Murphy’s contribution will help the program ready students for fast-track careers and leadership roles in the insurance and risk management industry.

The company’s gift also will assist the Vaughan Institute in strengthening the field of risk management and insurance by creating a pipeline of potential interns and employees and conducting research that will keep insurance companies on the cutting edge. 

“Holmes Murphy is a terrific partner for the Tippie College of Business,” says Kristof-Brown. “Their innovative culture has attracted many of our alumni to work there and build meaningful careers in the industry, including the interns they hired last year through the ‘Insure Your Future’ program. This gift will greatly assist us in preparing current and future students for careers with Holmes Murphy and the entire risk management and insurance industry.”

The field of risk management and insurance comprises 11% of the state’s gross domestic product, second only to agriculture, and employs more than 60,000 Iowans. 

Holmes Murphy Chairman and CEO Dan Keough says he hopes the organization’s donation will assist the Tippie program in fueling the insurance industry’s growth within the state.

“One of the things we love at Holmes Murphy is being able to invest in talent who wish to make insurance their career of choice,” said Keough. “This donation is just one of many ways we do this. In fact, through our work with ‘Insure Your Future’ and our early talent programs, including our DiscoverYou high school program, Intern program, and talent onboarding program called the Brainery, our goal is to position the next generation of insurance industry professionals up for success.”

Fewer than 60 universities in the nation have insurance and risk management programs such as Tippie’s. Named in memory of trailblazing insurance educator Emmett J. Vaughan, the institute offers certificate degrees for undergraduate and MBA students, along with its new undergraduate major. The Vaughan Institute also provides student scholarships, recruiting and networking initiatives, mentoring, and professional-development opportunities. 

Media contact: Tom Snee, 319-384-0010 (o); 319-541-8434 (c); tom-snee@uiowa.edu