The Greer family are (from left) Kate, Caroline, Chad, Kristen and Mary Hayes. Chad and Kristen Greer have contributed $50,000 to the University of Mississippi's risk management and insurance program, which has been matched by Northwestern Mutual. Submitted photo
New gift supports students majoring in risk management and insurance
A recent gift from University of Mississippi alumni Chad and Kristen Greer, of Nashville, Tennessee, will help ease the burden of tuition expenses faced by many college students.
The couple’s $50,000 gift will establish the Greer Family RMI Scholarship Endowment within the School of Business Administration. It will be matched for a total of $100,000 by Northwestern Mutual, Chad Greer’s employer for the past 27 years.
The scholarship will provide income to qualified juniors and seniors in the risk management and insurance major, with preference going to students from middle Tennessee, including Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, or Wilson counties.
As an Ole Miss junior, Chad Greer knew he wanted to work in risk management. After graduating in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, he began an internship at Northwestern Mutual, where he continues to work nearly three decades later as a wealth adviser.
“It’s always been a goal to give back to the school,” Greer said. “Going into Ole Miss, I wouldn’t have been considered for a scholarship.
“This is for juniors and seniors who are doing well while at school. You don’t need a perfect GPA right out of high school.”
In his time at Northwestern Mutual, Greer has been recognized by Forbesas a best-in-state wealth adviser and a top financial security professional. Recently, he was asked to join the Ole Miss Alumni Association board of directors.
During his freshman year at Ole Miss, Greer met his then-future wife. They began dating the following year and have been together for 25 years. Kristen Greer, a native of Jackson, Tennessee, graduated in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
“The university has meant so much to us,” Chad Greer said. “Two of my daughters now attend Ole Miss and are part of the Chi Omega sorority. I have pledge brothers who also have daughters in the same sorority.”
The scholarship will allow students to benefit from the Greers’ generosity immediately, said Andre Liebenberg, a professor of finance and chair of insurance.
“Their gift will help our program to better attract and retain excellent risk management and insurance students,” Liebenberg said. “As a result of their support, scholarship recipients will have greater financial freedom and a better chance for academic success.”
For the Greers, the gift symbolizes a way to give back to a place they hold in high esteem.
“We’re excited to be able to give back to the university and a major that has meant so much,” Greer said. “As an entire family, we’re excited about it.”
To make a gift to the Greer Family RMI Scholarship Endowment, send a check, with the name written in the memo line, to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655; or give online here.
By Andy Belt
Good work.