Beta Iota chapter of Gamma Sigma Iota wins national video competition

Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS), an international risk management and insurance (RMI) collegiate fraternity, held its 45th annual conference Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in Columbus, Ohio, the birthplace of GIS.

Approximately 50 different universities and 500 students from across the nation attended the conference, including the Troy University chapter, Beta Iota.

The Beta Iota chapter was established in 2013 to help students become well-rounded in their career path through student involvement in networking, attending educational conferences and helping transition from college to a future professional work environment.

“This conference was an opportunity for our RMI students to be exposed to various companies at the career fair, learn more about the industry and learn how to lead an effective chapter,” said Shelby Miller, a senior risk management and insurance major from Decatur and director of activities in Beta Iota.

Twelve students, along with adviser Edwin Duett, program director of Sorrell College of Business, participated and won the annual video competition.

“It was a student competition; the students created a short video, and all the universities voted on which they thought was best,” said Duett.

“We were really excited that the other universities voted us as No. 1,” said Duett.

“It took extensive planning, around eight hours of work and late nights to finalize the video to perfection,” said Ben Hughes, a senior risk management and insurance major from Destin, Florida, and president of Beta Iota.

The video was a rendition of the song “Closer” by the Chainsmokers, depicting an insurance student giving a terrible interview with a business professional.

“One of the few things that made the video stand out was the amount of time spent on the lyrics. The lyrics had every

school in tears,” Hughes said.

According to Duett, RMI is a concentration within the global business program and has been one of the fastest growing programs nationwide due to its increasing job demands, various employment options and close to a 100 percent job placement guarantee.

Troy University’s RMI program was ranked the 12th largest program in the country in 2015.

“RMI is a very good career path,” Duett said. “It gives you many different opportunities and choices, and the job market is incredibly strong.”

“We are very fortunate to travel and network within the insurance industry; I believe that it’s what sets us apart from other majors,” Miller said.