Gamma Iota Sigma
Grand Chapter

Established in 1972, the Edison L. Bowers Award is the oldest and most coveted of the national awards conferred by the Grand Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma. The Bowers Award was created to recognize the one Gamma Iota Sigma chapter that demonstrated the an exceptional, well-rounded and organized program the past scholastic year. The Bowers Award is the highest honor a collegiate chapter can receive from Grand Chapter.

Perhaps a little additional information about the Edison L. Bowers Award would be of interest to you. The Edison L. Bowers Award is a tribute to the memory of a great insurance teacher and leader. Until his August 1971 death, Dr. Bowers was devoted to improving insurance education and professionalism in the insurance business. He was one of the first teachers of a separate course in social insurance in the United States some 50 years ago. For many years he kept his insurance knowledge current as well as practical by serving on the board of directors of the Western and Southern Life Insurance Company in Cincinnati. He served on the directing boards of the S.S. Heubner Foundation for Insurance Education at the University of Pennsylvania and the American Institute for Property and Liability Underwriters. He was a trustee of the Griffith Foundation for Insurance Education. He was chairman of the Economics Department at The Ohio State University, during that period the insurance courses at Ohio State developed and expanded. As an author, administrator, teacher, and friend, Dr. Bowers merits recognition by students throughout the country as one of the outstanding persons in insurance.

In determining the collegiate chapter which best reflects the overall goals and objectives of Gamma Iota Sigma, the Grand Chapter carefully scrutinizes the information submitted by each chapter in their Monthly Reports. The Gamma Iota Sigma academic year begins May 1 and ends the following April 30. Any projects your chapter conducts in May are counted as occurring during the next school year.

To be considered a viable candidate for the Bowers Award your chapter must demonstrate a consistent approach to problems and projects relative to the following areas:

• Chapter Management
• Public Relations and Publicity
• Alumni Relations
• Regularity in chapter activity and timeliness of Monthly Reports to Grand Chapter
• Growth in Student Membership and strong member involvement in chapter activities
• Relationship with the Business Community
• Fraternity activities with other Gamma Iota Sigma chapters
• Assistance with new Gamma Iota Sigma chapters at colleges/universities
• Community and Public Service Activities