HONOLULU - Hawaii Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company (HEMIC) is honoring its first CEO Robert L. Dove, Jr. by funding an endowed scholarship with a $230,000 gift. The Robert L. Dove, Jr. Endowed Scholarship for Insurance Excellence, sponsored by HEMIC, will provide four-year renewable scholarships to incoming freshmen who are graduates of a Hawai‘i high school and pursuing a business degree at the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. A preference will be given to students who express an interest in finance with a concentration in insurance and risk management.

Dove was hired as HEMIC’s first CEO in 1997. He led the formation and growth of the company from an idea with no funding, to what is today a model provider of workers’ compensation insurance. In 2012, he retired as CEO but continued to serve the company as a director until October of this year.

Current HEMIC CEO Martin J. Welch said, “Throughout his 40 plus year career, Bob was a strong advocate for insurance education and professionalism, supporting both local education and industry specific training and development curriculums.” Welch continued, “We are honored to recognize his many contributions to the workers’ compensation industry by supporting future business leaders in this meaningful way.”

Hawaii Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company (HEMIC) is Hawai‘i’s largest workers’ compensation insurer, reporting annual revenue of nearly $50 million in 2013. HEMIC serves over 6000 Hawai‘i business owners, and employs more than 70 employees.

“We are grateful to have HEMIC as a corporate partner in our efforts to recruit and retain the best and brightest Hawai‘i high school graduates to remain in Hawai‘i and still receive a high quality business education,” said Vance Roley, dean of the Shidler College of Business. “Thanks to HEMIC and its business and community leadership, our Freshmen Direct Admit Program is empowered with a meritorious scholarship that will attract promising business students for many years to come.”