Approximately 90 percent of the 2002 CPCU class enrollment have some college education, with roughly 85 percent having earned a baccalaureate or higher degree.

Thirty seven percent of the graduates work in claims; 22 percent in underwriting; 9 percent in sales and marketing; 5 percent in computer/information processing; 3 percent each in risk management, actuarial/research and planning, and finance/accounting/statistical reporting; and 18 percent in other areas such as loss control and human resources, according to the institute.

Approximately 2,000 CPCUs, CPCU designees, and guests attended the conferment ceremony on Oct. 20 in Orlando, which is held in conjunction with CPCU Society's annual meeting. Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and author Bob Woodward addressed the group.

The Malvern, Pa.-based institute said that since 1943, nearly 54,000 people have earned the CPCU designation.

Conducting the ceremonies were Terrie E. Troxel, American Institute president and chief executive officer, and William H. Bolinder, chairman of the American Institute's board of trustees and member of the board of Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd.

New designees included graduates from 12 foreign countries--Bermuda, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.