USF receives $1 million gift from Florida Surplus Lines Service Office to advance Risk Management and Insurance Program

July 30, 2026
By Kim Vreeland

The University of South Florida today announced a $1 million gift from Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO) to benefit The Baldwin Group School of Risk Management and Insurance (The Baldwin Group School). The funding will establish the Florida Surplus Lines Insurance Directorship within the USF Muma College of Business and strengthen the school's educational opportunities, positioning it as a leading program in the field.

The endowment will support The Baldwin Group School's growth by expanding educational and experiential learning opportunities in risk management and insurance, with a particular focus on excess and surplus lines insurance, helping students develop the skills and knowledge needed for diverse career paths.

This investment builds on a trusted partnership between The Baldwin Group School and FSLSO. From internships and on-campus engagements to national and international experiential learning opportunities and mentorship programs, FSLSO provides USF students with exceptional educational experiences that significantly enhance the School's efforts to recruit and develop the next generation of risk professionals.

"USF is known for partnering with exceptional organizations to bring experiential learning together with strong academic programs," says USF President Moez Limayem. "This gift from Florida Surplus Lines Service Office will enable us to provide more opportunities for our students to learn from leaders in risk management and insurance while also supporting our faculty. Together, we are developing the talent that will help meet a growing workforce need and support Florida's economy."

FSLSO supports Florida's surplus lines marketplace by facilitating regulatory compliance and providing the data, tools and resources needed to maintain an effective, informed market. The surplus lines industry provides coverage for specialized and complex risks, ranging from hurricane-exposed coastal properties to emerging cybersecurity threats. Because the market must continually adapt to new risks and changing conditions, it relies on evolving technology, strong data and innovative thinking. FSLSO's longstanding commitment to these priorities makes a partnership with a leading research university a natural fit.

As experienced professionals retire and demand for risk management expertise grows, this gift will help strengthen the talent pipeline to better serve Florida's insurance needs.

"We need professionals who understand the fundamentals of insurance but who are also prepared to think critically, adapt and respond to a changing marketplace, qualities especially important in the dynamic surplus lines industry," says Mark Shealy, CEO and executive director of Florida Surplus Lines Service Office. "The Baldwin Group School of Risk Management and Insurance is well-positioned to play an important role in developing the next generation of insurance professionals, and we are proud to support that work."

The School serves nearly 1,300 students each semester and continues to see strong enrollment growth as more students pursue majors and minors in the field.

"Our focus is to be a leading program in risk management and insurance," says The Baldwin Group School Director, Randy Dumm. "This investment will help expand USF's leadership in RMI education and position the program among the nation's best."

As the program expands, partnerships like FSLSO provide critical resources to enhance the curriculum and prepare students to become industry leaders.

"Florida Surplus Lines Service Office has been a valued partner in creating opportunities for our students to learn directly from mentors and gain exposure to the many career paths available in the insurance marketplace," says David Blackwell, Lynn Pippenger Dean of the Muma College of Business. "This gift strengthens our ability to provide real-world experiences and ensure our students stand out in a high-growth field."

Thanks to FSLSO's generous investment, The Baldwin Group School will have the resources to advance strategic initiatives, strengthen excellence in insurance education and propel USF to new heights as one of the nation's leading risk management programs.

"Florida Surplus Lines Service Office shares our commitment to connecting industry expertise with the education and development of future professionals," says Jay Stroman, USF Foundation CEO. "We are deeply grateful for this generous investment, which will help prepare USF graduates to serve the evolving needs of the insurance industry and the communities it protects."