Risk Management Students Honored at Industry Awards Ceremony

Two students enrolled in Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science, part of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University, were honored by Insurance Insider at its annual US Honors ceremony on September 19.

The ceremony, held in Manhattan, NY, recognizes outstanding achievement in the insurance, reinsurance, and actuarial sciences industries. The students were honored along with more than 50 industry professionals. 

Abigail O’Neill, a senior from New Berlin, WI, majoring in Actuarial Science, and William Lai, a senior from Fresh Meadows, NY, majoring in Risk Management and Insurance, both received the St. John’s Award, given to students who demonstrate dedication in the classroom; maintain a 3.5-or-higher grade point average; complete an industry internship with distinction; and demonstrate leadership in insurance-related matters. 

Both Abigail and William expect to graduate in May. Faculty and administration from the Greenberg School selected them for the award, which includes a $1,500 scholarship for each. 

During her four years at St. John’s, Abigail achieved academic honors while performing an internship at the Manhattan, NY, office of SOMPO, a leading global provider of property, casualty, specialty insurance, and reinsurance. She thanked University Career Services for sending her résumé to SOMPO, which helped her secure an internship with its central pricing team. Abigail will continue in a full-time position in SOMPO’s actuarial trainee program upon graduation. 

“I have worked very hard during my time at St. John’s to be at the top of my classes—and to see that hard work recognized is rewarding,” Abigail said. 

“St. John’s has helped me to kick-start my career,” she added. “We have a top-of-the-line actuarial program that has helped me to already pass my first two actuarial exams. Because of all my effort, coupled with the programs at St. John’s, I have been able to get ahead in the industry.” 

While also distinguishing himself as a student, William secured an internship in the reinsurance and underwriting department at Everest Re, an internationally recognized insurance and reinsurance underwriter. He will continue with Everest Re after graduation in its reinsurance underwriting department.

William expressed his gratitude to the University. “St. John’s is the very foundation of everything I have learned in the insurance industry,” he said. “The classes here are great and have prepared me well for my internships. I owe my peers a great deal for helping me become the person I am today.”