Over $2M Raised for Full-Tuition Scholarships
The Maguire Academy of Insurance and Risk Management’s 20th anniversary event in October raised over $2M for a new, transformational endowed scholarship.
Saint Joseph’s University’s Maguire Academy of Insurance and Risk Management celebrated 20 years since its founding with a landmark event that was the most successful of its kind in University history.
The October Executive of the Year dinner raised over $2 million in support of full-tuition scholarship funds for aspiring Maguire Academy students. One-million dollars of those funds were contributed by United States Liability Insurance (USLI) on behalf of the event’s honoree, industry leader Thomas P. Nerney, MBA ’96.
Nerney, the chairman, president and chief executive officer of USLI, was honored with the Executive of the Year award to recognize his successful career defined by a deep commitment to education, mentorship and philanthropy.
“Thanks to Tom and the USLI family of companies, our students have received an array of support over the years, through internships, co-ops, open houses, assistance with high school pipeline programs and so much more,” remarked Mary Ann Cook, MBA, EdD, executive director of Saint Joseph’s Maguire Academy. “Seeing our students earn post-grad jobs at USLI and elsewhere has been the ultimate satisfaction.”
The event featured a video of Academy students and alumni who expressed their deep appreciation for the expertise and resources they were able to access through the program. Nerney, himself, credited James Maguire, BS '58, H '14, the Academy’s founder and the University’s largest benefactor, with his own professional success.
“This industry has changed tremendously, and it is going to change even more in the years ahead,” noted Nerney as he accepted his award. “But the importance of integrity, service, caring for others and giving back should never change. Those are values that Saint Joseph’s taught students like Jim and I, and I believe they are more important today than ever before.”
A major focus of the evening was looking forward to the next 20 years of the Academy and all the newly funded full-tuition scholarships will do for the future students that attend.
“Our financial commitment to assisting in establishing scholarship support for students with need at the Maguire Academy is a great example of the responsibility we take on at USLI to make a positive difference in the lives of other people,” said Nerney. “There are very talented students who may just need someone to give them an opportunity. If we can help some of those students receive an education at Saint Joseph’s, become part of the Maguire Academy and begin a career in this incredible industry, I believe that is a smart investment.”
