Hurricanes pummeling the coast. Rushing waters flooding property inland. Such natural disasters often turn Florida into ground zero for risk management, including changes in insurance coverage and costs. A new undertaking by Florida State University’s Risk Management and Insurance Center – in partnership with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) and the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO) – aims to provide a rare, comprehensive look at all sides of the state’s insurance market.

Former Aer Lingus CEO Stephen Kavanagh emphasized the value of simplicity Monday at the Florida State University College of Business, sharing insights from his remarkable career journey from a shy airport worker to successful airline executive. 

The Florida State University College of Business sadly announces the passing of Mary W. Solomon, a major benefactor of the college and the widow of E. Ray Solomon, the college’s longest-serving dean to date. She was 97. 

With sadness, the Florida State University College of Business announces the passing of Charles Leighton “Chuck” Hardwick, a 2005 alumni Hall of Fame member and the namesake of the  Charles Hardwick Teaching Awards. He was 83.

Florida State University alumnus Chris Spencer, executive director of the State Board of Administration of Florida, recently appealed to FSU College of Business students to consider launching their careers at the Tallahassee-based SBA. Among its considerable responsibilities, the agency invests the proceeds of the Florida Retirement System Pension Plan, which ranks among the five largest public pension funds in the United States and the 20 largest in the world.

On the strength of a $500,000 grant, the Dr. William T. Hold/The Alliance’s Program in Risk Management and Insurance in the FSU College of Business delivered to state regulators an analysis of the National Flood Insurance Program and solutions to managing Florida’s growing risks from hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Tony DiBenedetto, CEO of Appspace and founder and chair of Think Big for Kids has been selected to receive the 2025 Horatio Alger Award.