"Professionals who hold designations and degrees from The American College represent the industry’s finest," said Larry Barton, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of The American College. "More graduates from The College have gone on to become Presidents and CEOs of major financial industry companies and professional associations than from any other institution of higher learning."

"Since our graduates are some of the nation’s financial leaders, we wanted to create a dynamic educational event that provided in-depth knowledge that both experienced graduates and new professionals would find rewarding," continued Barton. "The slate of speakers and seminars at this year’s Symposium and Commencement will provide attendees with the latest information on industry trends and opportunities with a special emphasis on baby boomers and their financial needs."

Highlights of the pre-symposium activities include Residency I and II for the MSFS degree. These intensive multi-day classroom learning sessions will be offered prior to commencement. This allows students who have completed the self-study requirements to participate in the commencement ceremonies immediately following the residency program.

The American College’s pre-symposium activities will also feature three dynamic educational lectures. Faculty members Ted Kurlowicz, JD, LLM, CLU®, ChFC®, AEP, David Littell, JD and Walt Woerheide, PhD, CFP® will be presenting the program, "Competitive Retirement and IRA Strategies – The Edge You Need!" The presentation will enlighten attendees on the latest techniques for financial advisers working with clients who have accumulated significant pension assets.

The 18th Annual Henry A. Deppe Lecture will feature guest speakers Andrew J. Fair, Esq. from Fair, Fitzgerald & Hershaft, P.C.; Stephen W. Forbes, J.D., LL.M. from SunGard Relius Education; and Nancy Harms, Esq. and Sheila Hickey, CPC from Shadow Advisors and IM Advanced Planning & Professional Services. The lecture is devoted to pensions and retirement security issues, and is named for Henry A. Deppe, CLU®, a widely recognized and respected financial adviser.

The featured presenter at the Richard A. Liddy Lecture will be Kevin C. Eichner, President and CEO of Enterprise Financial Services Corp. His presentation "Building a High Performance Organization" will focus on leadership methods and the best practices employed by top executives to facilitate change and improve performance.

Kicking off the symposium activities on November 8 will be an exciting Mexican fiesta. This opening reception is designed to delight with a series of special entertainment surprises awaiting the attendees.

The following day begins with the President’s Breakfast and Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and will feature Dave Casper, CLU®, ChFC®, famous NFL tight end with the Oakland Raiders. Casper was inducted into the NFL Professional Football Hall of Fame in 2002.    

For the next two days, attendees will be able to listen to some of the financial service industry’s leading authorities as they share information on a wide range of financial planning topics with a special emphasis on the needs of baby boomers. Seminar topics and presenters currently slated for the event include:

·     Generating Energy and Passion for Your Practice: Personal Challenges in a "Wealth Management" World
     Presenter: Debra Boblitt, CLF®, Vice President – Agency
     State Farm Insurance Company.

·     Identifying Ethical Issues in the Wealth Management Practice
     Presenter: Ronald F. Duska, Ph.D.
     Charles Lamont Post Chair of Ethics and the Professions, The American College.

·     Transitioning from the P & C Sale to Life Insurance and Financial Services
     Presenter: Kelly Dickson, LUTCF, CLU®, Agent,
     Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies and Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company

·     New Dynamics in Disability Insurance
     Presenter: W. Harold Petersen, RHU®, President
     and
     Thomas R. Petersen, RHU®, Vice President,
     Petersen International Underwriters.

·     Philanthropy: The Most Effective Key to Wealth Management Success
     Presenter: H. King McGlaughon, Jr., JD, MDiv., Senior Vice President
     Wachovia Bank Wealth Management Group

·     Tax Changes, Tax Traps, Tax Solutions
     Presenter: Thomas M. Brinker, Jr., JD, CPA, ChFC®, AEP
     Adjunct Professor of Taxation, The American College

·     I Retired: Now, What Do I Do About My Estate Plan?
     Presenter: Thomas M. Forrest, CPA, AEP, President and CEO
     US. Trust Company of Delaware

·     Industry Panel: What’s Hot In Our Industry?
     Chairperson: Robert A. Kerzner, CLU®, ChFC®, President and CEO
     LIMRA International
               Panelists:
               o     Michael C. Davidson, CLU®, Vice Chairman, Chief Agency and Marketing Officer, State Farm Life Insurance Company
               o     Anthony J. Domino, Jr., CLU®, ChFC®, MSFS, Past President, Society of Financial Services Professionals
               o     Kevin C. Eichner, President and CEO, Enterprise Financial Services Corp.
               o     Jeffrey R. Hughes, Chief Executive Officer, GAMA International
               o     Reginald N. Rabjohns, CLU®, ChFC®, Managing Partner, New England Financial
               o     David F. Woods, CLU®, ChFC®, LUTCF, Chief Executive Officer, NAIFA

·     Leading Through Change, Understanding Behavior, and Winning Results!
     Presenter: Joseph Sparacio, CLU®, ChFC®, Chief Executive Officer
     The Island Financial Group, General Agent, MassMutual

·     How The Age Wave Will Transform Financial Services
     Presenter: Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D., President and CEO
     Age Wave

On Friday, November 10, The College will hold its 77th Commencement Ceremony recognizing the education achievements of the class of 2005 and 2006. Frederick J. Sievert, President, New York Life Insurance Company and Chairman of The American College Board of Trustees will deliver this year’s keynote address. The subject of Sievert’s address will be "Fresh Perspectives on a Venerable Industry."

Concluding this year’s activities will be a reception for graduates and their families immediately following the Commencement Ceremony.

The American College is the nation’s leading non-profit educator of professionals in the insurance and financial services industry. Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, The College is a public charity founded in 1927 and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The American College offers an array of specialized designation programs, Master of Science degrees in several disciplines and customized continuing education programs predominantly on a distance education basis for those pursuing a career in financial services. For more information, visit www.TheAmericanCollege.edu.