What is GIS?

Gamma Iota Sigma is a professional fraternity organized to: promote, encourage, and sustain student interest in insurance, risk management and actuarial science as professions; encourage high moral and scholarship attainments; and facilitate the interaction and cooperation of educational institutions, industry, and professional organizations by fostering research, scholarship, and improved public relations.   GIS began as a national fraternity when the Griffith Foundation for Insurance Education filed for incorporation in 1965. Ohio State University was recognized as the Alpha Chapter within one year. Shortly afterward, Gamma Iota Sigma branched out to other states and even to Canada and now recognizes over 48 Chapters with several others seeking to be chartered.    

To learn more about GIS and other chapters, please visit gammaiotasigma.org.


About our Chapter  

The Alpha Upsilon Chapter was established on April 11, 2003 at the University of Houston's C. T. Bauer College of Business.  Membership is open to all University of Houston's majors and we welcome students with interest in the risk management, insurance, and actuarial science professions, as well as those who would like to better their leadership, public speaking, and business etiquette skills.   

Some of the goals we have at our Chapter include:

• Provide students with scholarship opportunities
• Provide access to the corporate world of risk management and insurance (RMI)
• Accommodate students at the C. T. Bauer College of Business with a professional organization dealing specifically with RMI
• Promote the formation of Risk Management as a major
• Network directly with Risk Management Professionals through professional organization such as CPCU, RIMS, and many more

Our Faculty Advisor  



Dan C. Jones has extensive experience in insurance and expertise in risk management. He began his career in 1953 with Travelers Insurance Company in Houston as an underwriter for oil, gas and construction risks. He went on to hold positions with Highlands Insurance Company and Alexander & Alexander Inc. He retired from A & A at the end of 1992 as Deputy Managing Vice President in Houston, Texas .

During the 20+ years with A & A, he performed account executive duties for major accounts such as Shell Oil Company. Expertise included production and service of diverse operations including contractors, construction, petroleum, drilling and refining, petrochemicals, manufacturing and environmental activities. In 1993, he became an Executive Professor for the Bauer College of Business. He teaches four classes, International Risk and Insurance (FINA4355), Risk Management (FINA4354), Insurance Operations and Regulations (FINA4356), and Energy Insurance and Risk Management (FINA4359). In 2001, he completed a monograph, Financial Management of Risk which is used principally with the International Risk and Insurance class.

Current activities outside academics include special consulting assignments and expert witness agreements.