Awards and Scholarships
Harold Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award
The W. Harold Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award is open to the individual who has demonstrated dedication to their field of expertise in Disability Insurance, exhibits leadership in her professional life and most importantly has made a distinctive contribution to the Disability Insurance Industry, and has practiced their profession to the highest ethical standards attainable. Unselfish voluntary service is also a consideration in the Awards process. A commitment and dedication to the furthering of the mission of the International DI Society may also be a consideration in the selection of your candidate.
Nominations are open to members in good standing of the International DI Society with Non-Members also eligible. Nominees may be from any country.
Click here to complete the online nomination form for the 2026 Harold Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award.
Past Recipients of the W. Harold Petersen Lifetime Acheivement Award
| YEAR | RECIPIENT |
|
2005 |
W. Harold Petersen, RHU, DFP |
| 2006 | Michael Eskra, Sr., CLU, RHU |
| 2007 | Kenneth Wylie |
| 2008 | Ron Cohen, RHU |
| 2009 | Eugene Cohen |
| 2010 | William J. Barrett |
| 2011 | Steve Brady, RHU |
| 2012 | Bob Herum, MSFS, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC |
| 2013 | George Davidson, CLU, ChFC, RHU, DIA, CLTC |
| 2014 | Rick Cordaro, DIA, DIF, LUTCF |
| 2015 | Jack Schmitz, CLU, ChFC, CASL |
| 2016 | Craig Gussin, CLU, CHRS, DIF |
| 2017 | Keith Hoffman |
| 2018 | Thomas L. Petsche Sr., CLU, ChFC, RHU |
| 2019 | Thomas R Petersen, MBA, RHU |
| 2020 | No recipients this year due to virtual conference |
| 2021 | Maureen Kirschhofer, CLU, ChFC |
| 2022 | Reed Schnittker, RHU |
| 2023 | Susan Ondack, LUTCF |
| 2024 | Andra Grava, CLU, RHU |
| 2025 | Ben Nordman |
Ron Cohen Producer’s Scholarship
The scholarship was created to honor the memory of one of the founders of the International DI Society, and someone who believed so very strongly in the education and mentoring of the Agent/Producer. Anyone whoever met Mr. Cohen knew that he lived and breathed DI, and his passion was infectious. In 2009, the members of the IDIS confirmed this when Mr. Cohen was honored as the recipient of the W. Harold Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award.
The recipient of this award will be recognized at the Annual Conference and will receive the following:
- Up to $500.00 in travel allowance
- One year IDIS membership
- Full conference registration
- Three nights of hotel accommodations at the conference hotel venue.
Click here to submit your application online.
bob herum education scholarship for di professionals
This award is funded through the financial contributions of longtime IDIS member, Bob Herum, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, MSFS, DIA, LTCP. Bob retired in 2022 from Ameritas after a long career in the insurance industry. He has always been a passionate proponent of the value of industry education. Bob served as IDIS president in 2009-2010 and is a past recipient of the W. Harold Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award.
The recipient of this scholarship will be recognized at the Annual Conference and will receive the following:
- One year IDIS membership
- Full Conference registration
- $500 travel and lodging stipend
- $500 reimbursement towards the tuition cost to complete a disability designation (DIF, DIA, DHP)
*Recipient will receive $500 reimbursement following the completion of their chosen designation.
Click here to submit your application online.
