On April 24, more than 100 of Professor Dan Anderson’s students returned to honor his 39 years of teaching. The retirement celebration—organized by the newly formed Risk Management and Insurance Alumni (RMI) Association—attracted former students whose careers have taken them across the globe. The alums credited Anderson’s gifts as a teacher, mentor and friend.

The celebration included a panel discussion that addressed “Current Topics in Risk Management and Insurance,” presented by his former students. The discussion highlighted the growing and diverse field of risk management and insurance. Panelists covered a breadth of topics, including challenges faced by those who underwrite risks in the energy industry, trends in China’s emerging insurance market and the impending health-care crisis in the United States.

Following the panel discussion, a reception and program were held in Tripp Commons of the Memorial Union. A fundraising initiative in honor of Anderson was announced during the program. In lieu of personal gifts, Anderson asked individuals to consider donations to the Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) Support Fund in honor of his retirement. These donations will carry on Anderson’s legacy by ensuring the RMI program remains one of the nation’s best and will provide a ladder of opportunity for the next generation of RMI professionals.

During Anderson’s almost four decades with the Wisconsin School of Business, his research and teaching have been honored by the school, the risk management industry, and by fellow educators in the field of risk management. His areas of research and expertise directly relate to important risks confronting corporations. They include: environmental risk management, hazardous waste and superfund liabilities, insurance company insolvencies and catastrophe insurance. He is the author of many scholarly articles, and several books/monographs, inducing “Corporate Survival: The Critical Importance of Sustainably Risk Management.” Anderson earned his BA from Yale University and his PhD from UW-Madison.

Posted in Alumni News, Faculty-Staff News