Worker’s Compensation Fund and Buckner donate $1.5 million combined to UVU’s Woodbury School of Business

OREM, Utah — WCF Insurance and Buckner announced today they would be donating $1.25 million and $250,000, respectively, to UVU’s Woodbury School of Business (WSB).

The combined $1.5 million gift will add a professional-in-residence faculty member and a dean’s executive in residence in the business school’s Risk Management and Insurance area. The gift will also provide 20-40 scholarships per year, fund a graduate assistant position, underwrite UVU’s Risk Management and Insurance competition team, and fund other operational costs.

“We’re excited to partner with Utah Valley University and Buckner to prepare young professionals for careers in insurance,” said Ray Pickup, president and chief executive officer of WCF Insurance. “This program is much needed in our industry, and we look forward to playing an active role in the development of the program for years to come.”

"We so appreciate the vision and leadership of Utah Valley University in establishing the risk management insurance program within the Woodbury School of Business," said Terry Buckner, president and chief executive officer of The Buckner Company. "This will be a tremendous asset not only for the students of UVU, but for the entire business community. We are honored to be involved with this opportunity."

“This is a prime example of industry and academia working together to enhance competitiveness in Utah,” said Norm Wright, dean of the WSB. “I am grateful to the fine leadership of WCF Insurance and Buckner for their foresight and sense of community as we partner to remedy a significant gap in our local skill set.”

Business school students can graduate with a certificate, minor, or both in the Risk Management and Insurance sector. The program is aligned with industry-standard Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) certification. Students who complete the program at UVU will have also fulfilled five of eight required areas in the CPCU certification, qualifying them for industry positions.