June 25, 2021
Story Contact: Brian Consiglio, 573-882-9144, consigliob@missouri.edu
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Today, State Farm Insurance Company presented the University of Missouri with a check for $287,050, bringing State Farm’s total contribution to MU to nearly $2 million. MU continues to be the largest recipient of State Farm funding in Missouri.
“State Farm’s support continues to be a powerful driver for MU programs that help keep Missourians safe and financially secure,” said Jackie Lewis, vice chancellor for advancement at MU. “From emergency response training to financial planning, these are programs that exemplify MU’s commitment to statewide outreach.”
Today’s check presentation represented State Farm’s combined gifts for both 2020 and 2021. The gifts will go toward important programs such as fire and rescue training, which has impacted hundreds of firefighters throughout the state.
Pictured here from left to right: Cheryl Kelly (State Farm Insurance Agent), DJ Hinds (State Farm Insurance Agent), Jeremy Diener (Executive Director for Advancement, MU Trulaske College of Business) James Green (Director, MU Student Success Center), Stephanie Wilmsmeyer (State Farm Insurance Agent), Gail Hagans (MU Extension Educational Program Coordinator), Jackie Lewis (MU Vice Chancellor of Advancement), Lathon Ferguson (MU Director of Advancement, Corporate Relations), Ryan Kenney (State Farm Sales Leader, Missouri Northeast) Rachel Augustine (Director, Missouri Extension 4-H Foundation) Amy Price (MU Trauma Nurse Clinician), John Worden (Director, MU Law Enforcement Training Institute), Beth Koster (MU Coordinator of Outreach Programs, Trauma Services), Lisa Cravens (State Farm Insurance Agent).
“Seventy-two percent of firefighters in Missouri are volunteers,” said interim John Worden, director of fire and rescue training for MU Extension. “Many fire departments can’t pay their firefighters and struggle to afford training, and State Farm’s generosity helps us to offer this training at no cost.”
“State Farm has a focus on supporting local organizations, and we are proud to support the University of Missouri programs within our community,” said Ryan Kenney, sales leader with State Farm. “As a company, we make a commitment to support local organizations to help make our communities safer, strong and better educated.”
State Farm’s contribution will support a variety of programs, including:
Fire Rescue Training Institute and MU Health Trauma Center
MU Extension provides essential training for Missouri emergency responders. Through this training, the responders gain additional competency in the quick stabilization and removal of accident victims to improve survival rates while safely managing incident scenes.
The MU Health Trauma Center educates teens about first aid and the risks of driving while impaired. The center’s “Is it Worth It?” program creates realistic events and scenarios, such as asking participants to complete tasks while wearing goggles to simulate drug and alcohol impairment. “Stop the Bleed” has helped train thousands to manage uncontrolled bleeding in bystander scenarios, while “Keep Your Keys” educates senior citizens in managing age-related driving risks.
Trulaske College of Business Risk Management and Insurance Program
A 2015 investment from State Farm helped launch the Trulaske College of Business Risk Management and Insurance program. State Farm’s continued support has allowed MU to fully staff the program and implement a curriculum that has helped prepare hundreds of students for this important field, which focuses on identifying, accessing and managing risks facing businesses and organizations.
First Impact
First Impact offers a free 90-minute evidence-based traffic safety program that educates parents about Missouri’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law. The program strives to increase awareness of teen driving risks, understanding of the GDL law and the importance of being a positive role model.
