2020-2021 School of Business Department of Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate award recipients
May 5, 2021 - VCU School of BusinessStudent of the Year
Derrick Gachago
Through his studies in the School of Business, Derrick has honed his problem solving skills and exemplified true ownership of learning, all while maintaining an excellent GPA. Derrick helped launch the Actuarial Club in Fall, 2020 and currently serves as Chairman. Derrick also serves as one of four analysts in the financial sector of the Student Managed Investment Portfolio, where he has been a member since Fall, 2019. He is also a member of Gamma Iota Sigma Fraternity. Derrick successfully passed his Financial Mathematics Actuarial exam in 2020, and will be sitting for his Probability exam later this spring. Derrick has accepted a 12 week Actuarial Internship with Genworth Financial for Summer, 2021.
Distinguished Service Award
Nicoleta Gavris
Nicoleta has an excellent GPA and is engaged with the Finance Department and the larger VCU community in a multitude of ways. Nicoleta is a recipient of the Arconic Foundation Community Scholarship for Business and Engineering and was offered full tuition and fees for all four years at VCU. Nicoleta is a Level IV tutor for the Campus Learning Center, and has been a teaching assistant for FIRE 311 for the past three semesters. Serving as a Pearson Campus Ambassador, Nicoleta manages the accounts for the entire VCU campus. Not only is Nicoleta a Board member for the Student Managed Investment Portfolio, but she will also begin a new position soon where she will manage social media, outreach, and Alumni relations. She accepted an Accounting Internship with CarMax, to be completed during Summer, 2021. She plans to work in accounting, finance, or analytics upon her graduation.
Davis Radcliffe Insurance Award
William J. Ragland
Given annually to the student who exhibits strong character, scholastic achievement in insurance courses, and demonstrates an interest in a career in the insurance industry. This award is named for the late Davis Ratcliffe, a former insurance industry executive who established the insurance program at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1969.
William J. Ragland is the 2021 recipient of the Davis Radcliffe Risk Management and Insurance Award. While attending VCU, Will has actively participated in numerous leadership positions within Gamma Iota Sigma - Alpha Mu Chapter. He interned with Berkley Mid-Atlantic Group in the summer of 2019. Following this experience, he secured a year-round internship with Virtue Risk Partners, where he works with two VCU RMI alums, Geoffrey Bernado and Bradley Carroll, among others. Upon graduation, Will will join Virtue Risk Partners full time. He is active in the community, where he is involved with One for the World and an organization working to end extreme poverty. Additionally, he is actively involved in other faith-based organizations. Upon graduation, Will plans to earn his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and attend graduate school.