The Kelley Insurance Center and Drake University have had a close relationship with the insurance industry through the years.  The Center was established originally in 1973 as The Insurance Studies Center and renamed The Insurance Center in 1978.  On October 6, 1995 the Insurance Center was again renamed to the Kelley Insurance Center.  The name honors the late Robb Kelley, Winifred Kelley, and Employers Mutual Casualty (EMC) Insurance Companies of Des Moines in recognition of the support the Kelley family and EMC insurance companies have given Drake University over the years. 

The Kelley Insurance Center provides many services to the insurance community including: support for the Drake Insurance and Actuarial Science programs through scholarships and examination fee reimbursement; professional designation examination preparatory classes; Continuing Education classes for insurance producers; and the Archie R. Boe Distinguished Lectureship Series.

Drake University

Drake University is a private, independent major university with approximately 6,500 students enrolled in the six colleges and schools of the University. Drake's preeminence in educating students for careers as insurance professionals stems both from its location and its commitment to excellence. With more than 60 insurers having home offices in the Des Moines metropolitan area, and approximately 100 insurance companies having district or regional offices in the area, Des Moines is second only to New York in its concentration of employees involved in insurance, financial and real estate services.

Insurance Program

The Concentration in Insurance prepares students to enter careers in the insurance industry or risk management.  Students completing the concentration in insurance should be prepared to enter positions in underwriting, claims, marketing and risk management.  Study of insurance also helps students interested in careers in other insurance company functions such as human resources, management, investments, actuarial science and accounting.  Students enrolled in the insurance concentration benefit greatly from Des Moines' position as a leading insurance center in the nation through access to internships, scholarships, and the Kelley Insurance Center.

Actuarial Science Major

Drake provides one of the few private actuarial science majors in the Midwest.  It's the only true program with a full set of actuarial science courses taught by actuaries, exclusively for undergraduates.  The program strives to provide high-quality, undergraduate-level preparation for students planning careers in the actuarial profession.

Actuarial Science Majors at Drake learn to solve problems created by retirement, unemployment, accident, death and other contingencies of life.  Actuaries combine the skills of a scientist, mathematician, business executive and sociologist.  After graduation, students are prepared to be business leaders in the financial services industry and are thoroughly grounded in the technical skills required for actuarial work.