BENCHMARK FINANCIAL COMMITS $60,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR K-STATE MARKETING STUDENTS 

MANHATTAN -- Benchmark Financial, a general agency of New England Financial and a MetLife company, has committed $60,000 in scholarships to Kansas State University marketing students over the next five years.

The company, based out of Overland Park, will give $6,000 in scholarships each semester to the top six performers enrolled in the marketing management course, offered by the department of marketing in K-State's College of Business Administration. The course is taught by David Andrus, professor of marketing, who was instrumental in creating the partnership between Benchmark Financial and the college and securing the scholarship funds for K-State business students.

Starting in the spring 2008 semester, the top six performing students in the marketing management course will receive a $1,000 scholarship based upon points accumulated during the semester. Points will be calculated through performance on exams and quizzes and, in large part, by the students' creation of a strategic marketing plan. Eighty students will be participating during the scholarship program's inaugural semester.

While Benchmark Financial specializes in financial management of clients, the company believes that marketing is the cornerstone to its success.

"We are in the 'people' business and effective marketing is essential to our success as a business," said Jason P. Paetzold, managing associate, Benchmark Financial. "Our goal is to assist students in understanding the sound principles of marketing so that when they enter the work force they can make immediate contributions. The College of Business Administration at K-State not only provides students with a quality business education, they prepare them to be successful professionals."

This is the first scholarship program established by Benchmark Financial. The relationship between the company and the College of Business Administration began when Paetzold and Seth Asher, managing associate, were invited by Kevin Gwinner, head of department of marketing, to sit on the Marketing Advisory Board. The board is made up of marketing professionals and provides a forum for interaction between those in the marketing industry and the students, faculty and administrators in the department of marketing. The advisory board meets annually and discusses topics including curriculum, the department's support needs and continued opportunities for students to connect with professionals.

The partnership continued to grow as Andrus and Gwinner teamed up with Paetzold, Asher and Gary Raetz, managing partner, Benchmark Financial, to develop the scholarship program.

"I am very grateful for the scholarships that Benchmark Financial has established to assist our marketing students. These scholarships will help more top K-State College of Business Administration students achieve their academic goals," said Yar M. Ebadi, dean. "Our excellent relationship with Benchmark Financial will also serve as a model for building other outstanding business partnerships to benefit our students."

New England Financial has been a part of the Kansas City business community since 1886. In 2004, New England Financial consolidated with both the Oklahoma and Wichita agencies into a joint Kansas City agency. In May 2006, the Omaha, Neb., agency merged with the Kansas City agency and Benchmark Financial LLC was formed. The company helps clients manage successful business, accumulate wealth and achieve financial security through a full line of financial products and services.