Scholarships

Joseph M Gates Memorial Scholarship

The Colorado Claims Association offers educational scholarships to graduating high school seniors.  Juniors in high school can also apply. Applicants are only eligible to receive one (1) scholarship award.  Scholarships may be used for any accredited post high school education, including: college or university study, trade school, or technical college.

To qualify applicants must:

1. Be the son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter of an insurance claim professional*
2. Write an essay addressing the annual topic.
3. Essay requirements:
   1. Minimum 500 words.
   2. Double spaced with footnotes and references.
   3. Cover letter applying for the scholarship and outlining who is your sponsor. (parent in the industry)
   4. Submitted by the deadline as published on the CCA Website.

*Insurance Claim Professional is defined as someone actively employed to  handle, manage, investigate, or audit insurance claims.

*Applicants are only eligible to receive one (1) scholarship award *

The 2024 topic :

It is estimated that the global automated/self-driving vehicle market size, valued at over $1,921.1 billion in 2023, will grow by approximately 32% by 2030. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have experienced significant advancements in technology to assist drivers, moving us closer to the development of autonomous vehicles. This technology offers both opportunities and challenges to the insurance industry.

Please discuss:

1. What is an automated vehicle.
2. What trends or developments do you believe are driving the market.
3. How will these developments positively impact insurance liability?
4. How will they negatively impact insurance liability?
5. Do you think  existing laws are adequate to address challenges presented by autonomous vehicles? Please explain.

Essay Requirements

• Minimum 500 words
• Double spaced with footnotes and references
• The following documents must be submitted to info@coloradoclaims.org by Friday, September 13, 2024 for consideration:
  1. Cover letter applying for the Scholarship outlining who your sponsor is (parent in the industry)
  2. Essay

2023 Joseph M Gates Memorial Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to all of our 2023 scholarship recipients: Peyton Kreutzer, Jonathan Green, Noah Osterloh & Nate Marxhausen

• Peyton Kreutzer plans to study either Pediatric Occupational or Physical Therapy. She is deep in the college application process right now so hasn’t made a decision yet, but is leaning towards CU Boulder. Peyton’s father, Michael Kreutzer, is a Senior Claims Manager for Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions.
• Jonathan Green hopes to attend MIT or the Naval Academy in the fall of 2024 to pursue a bachelors degree in Nuclear Engineering or Aeronautical Engineering. He also plans to continue his passion of playing the upright bass in a Jazz band. Kaden’s mother, Dacie Green, is a Commercial Claims Specialist III at Nationwide Insurance.
• Noah Osterloh plans to attend college to pursue an education in the field of engineering. He wants to use his talents in math and physics to be successful and enjoy his job in the future. Noah’s father, Bryan Osterloh, is a Claims Supervisor at CSAA Insurance Group.
• Nate Marxhausen is a freshman at Montana State University, studying mechanical engineering. He has found a home in Bozemen and truly enjoy the outdoors that the town offers. He is looking forward to continuing his education and deciding what minor to add to his degree. Nate’s father, Peter Marxhausen, is the Director of Engineering for the Denver/Rocky Mountain Region at Unified Building Sciences & Engineering, Inc.

2022 Joseph M Gates Memorial Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to both of our 2022 scholarship recipients: Kaden Green & Kendra Gulley

• Kaden Green hopes to attend an academically rigorous college in the future to pursue his long term goal of getting both a Bachelor’s degree in business, as well as a Master’s degree. He is considering schools in the Northeast to be close to his interests in politics, historical sites, and large companies. Kaden’s mother, Dacie Green, is a Commercial Claims Specialist II at Nationwide Insurance.
• Kendra Gulley hopes to start attending an art or specific trade school in Fall 2023. Her long term goal is to be an art teacher or tattoo artist. Kendra’s father, Ryan Gulley, is a Commercial Claims Business Consultant at Nationwide Insurance.

2021 Joseph M Gates Memorial Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to all three (3) of the 2021 scholarship recipients: Kaylinn Carpenter, Olivia Larsen & Annabelle Martin

• Kaylinn Carpenter hopes to attend CU-Boulder in fall 2022 with a major in Biochemistry. Her long term goal is to attend medical school and eventually become a cardiothoracic surgeon. Kaylinn’s mother, Susan Carpenter, is a Claims QA Consultant at Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions.
• Olivia Larsen plans on attending either BYU or Utah State University in fall 2022 with a major in Nursing. She is actually graduating high school a semester early and will be working as a CNA until she starts college. Olivia’s father, Bryn Larsen, is a Commercial Claims Manager at Nationwide Insurance.
• Annabelle Martin plans on attending college in fall 2022 with a major in Film/Television Production and a minor in Psychology. She has been a part of the TV production class at her school for the last three years and wants to pursue something similar for her career. Annabelle’s father, Brian Martin, is an Assistant General Counsel at Nationwide Insurance and her mother, Monica Martin, is a Represented UM/UIM adjuster at Allstate Insurance.

2020 Joseph M Gates Memorial Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to all 3 of the 2020 scholarship recipients: Benjamin Carlson, Emilia Carlson, and Ellie Springer

• Ben Carlson plans on attending Metropolitan State College, with a major in communication design. His long term goal after college is to start a career in the field of graphic design or multimedia production. Ben’s father, Ron Carlson, is a Claims Manager at OneBeacon Insurance.
• Emi Carlson plans on attending the University of Northern Colorado, starting in Fall 2021, with a major in special education. Her long term goal after college is to start a career within the Special Olympics organization here in Colorado. Emi’s father, Ron Carlson, is a Claims Manager at OneBeacon Insurance.
• Ellie Springer hopes to be able to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to study aerospace engineering along with taking cognitive science courses integrated into video game design. Ellie’s mother, Heidi Springer, is a Claims Account Executive at IMA Colorado.

2019 Joseph M Gates Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to the 2019 scholarship recipient: Brooklyn Larsen.

Brooklyn graduated a semester early from Legend High School and is planning on attending Utah State starting in Fall 2020 to study Chemistry. (She was also accepted into the Colorado School of Mines!) Her father, Bryn Larsen, is a Commercial Casualty manager at Nationwide Insurance.