Theresa Hayes, Dylan Dugger, Staci Shearon (PIA), Richard Casto (recipient), Cynthia Burleson (UCA) Hana McCown, Tammi Van Cleave
Conversation centered on hopes for the future on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, as UCA senior Richard Casto was awarded the Terri Hayes-Winstead Memorial Scholarship. Terri’s sister, Tammi Van Cleave, and Tammi’s employer, Scottish American of Arkansas, team up each year to award the scholarship to a College of Business student in the Insurance and Risk Management (IRM) program who demonstrates potential for the industry and financial need to fund continued education.
Terri’s son Dylan, daughter Hana, mother Theresa, and sister Tammi were on hand to present the scholarship, along with Staci Shearon of the Professional Insurance Agents of Arkansas (PIA) and UCA Center for Insurance and Risk Management Director Cynthia Burleson. Richard smiled widely as he received the award.
The scholarship is given in memory of Terri Hayes-Winstead, who may have started her insurance career later in life but definitely made her mark nonetheless. After dedicating her time solely to being a mother, Terri began her career an as office manager handling day-to-day non-insurance activities, but she realized quickly that she wanted to learn more and do more. Terri worked hard to learn about insurance and underwriting, and she learned fast. She gave it her all and enjoyed making a successful career for herself.
“Terri’s biggest asset was her personality and desire to help others; in her ten years as an Underwriter she built undeniable bonds with the agents that she worked with, and they loved her,” said her sister Tammi. “Terri left us way too soon and is missed by many.”
This year’s recipient, Richard Casto, is a senior majoring in insurance and risk management. He is a first generation college student working to provide the funds for school while helping his mom in a single parent household. Richard is an excellent student and has worked hard to build his GPA to a 3.176. He maintains a 4.0 GPA in his major and has shown himself to be an excellent student.
Professional Insurance Agents of Arkansas released a post saying, “[We are] excited to present the Terri Hayes-Winstead Memorial Scholarship to Richard Casto with the UCA Insurance and Risk Management program. Thank you Scottish American of Arkansas, Tammi Hayes VanCleave, Hana McCown, and Hayes family for your gracious gift in honor of Terri and the next generation of insurance professionals!”
UCA’s Insurance & Risk Management program has provided the insurance industry with top talent, and the program has consistently been nationally ranked in publications like Business Insurance, Best’s Review, and Risk Management magazines. UCA is the only university in Arkansas offering a baccalaureate degree program in Insurance and Risk Management. For more information go to uca.edu/insurance.