KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Willis Corroon Corp. of Tennessee, with offices here and in Nashville and Chattanooga, has pledged a $250,000 gift to the University of Tennessee.

 Warren Neel, dean of the UT-Knoxville College of Business Administration, said the gift would support a visiting scholar-executive program in the college.

 Joe Ben Turner, president and chief executive officer of Willis Corroon, said the pledge continues the philanthropic legacy of the late M.F. Flenniken, a Knoxville insurance executive.

 Flenniken in 1897 founded M.F. Flenniken & Company and was a friend of UT until his death in 1937.

 ”At his death, M.F. Flenniken provided a trust fund for financially needy students at the university,” Turner said. “We now have come full circle with this latest corporate pledge.”

 M.F. Flenniken & Co. merged in 1981 with Corroon & Black Corp., which later merged with Willis Faber of London, England to form Willis Corroon plc, one of the largest insurance brokerage firms in the world.

 ”It is fitting that Willis Corroon Corp. of Tennessee makes this gift on the 100th anniversary of our Knoxville office,” Turner said.

 Neel said Willis Corroon Corp. of Tennessee employs significant numbers of UT graduates in its offices.

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 Contact: Dr. Warren Neel (423-974-5061)

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