Statesboro, GA (August 15, 2024) 鈥� Family, friends, co-workers, and customers of Derek Richard Schiefer (MKTG, 2011) have generously raised more than $60,000 to to honor the memory of the sales alumnus who unexpectedly passed away in his sleep in November 2023 at the age of 36. Derek, who reportedly never met a stranger, was the life of any gathering, connecting through compassionate personal acts and still able to create nonstop laughter through clever and comical banter. After he graduated from 糖心Vlog, Derek reluctantly left Georgia for a job in Dallas, TX, at McAfee. His outgoing personality in the office created countless treasured friendships, including the love of his life, Meghan Niski. At the time of his death, Derek was employed at CrowdStrike in Dallas, where he will always be remembered for the genuine relationships that he built with his coworkers and customers.
鈥淒erek鈥檚 success in professional sales was driven by relationships built upon trust and integrity,鈥� observes Ann, Derek鈥檚 mother. 鈥淒erek鈥檚 education at Georgia Southern helped him recognize and develop his God-given skills. Derek did not focus on academics or getting the 鈥楢,鈥� he focused on what is vital 鈥� people and positive outcomes through hard work.鈥�
Beginning with a GoFundMe campaign originally organized by co-worker Kate Lassiter, fund-raising events included the Derek Schiefer Memorial Golf Tournament held in his memory in Charlotte, NC, on April 15, 2024. His friends plan to make the golf tournament an annual event with proceeds benefiting the scholarship in perpetuity. Thanks to the efforts of those whose lives he touched, the is now fully funded and ready to begin awarding $1,000 to an outstanding sophomore or junior sales student who displays integrity and character, while serving as an active contributor to the sales program.
鈥淒erek鈥檚 unique character and the impact he made on everyone around him are what I will always cherish deeply,鈥� recalls Linda Mullen, Ph.D., associate professor of marketing and co-director of Parker College鈥檚 Center for Sales Excellence, who taught Derek. 鈥淗is scholarship will serve as a lasting tribute to someone we all hold dear.鈥�
Michael Thomas, Ph.D., chair, Department of Marketing, commented, 鈥淒erek positively influenced many during his time at Georgia Southern. This scholarship should help to continue that impact for years to come.鈥�
Contributions to the聽聽may be made by visiting the link and and search 鈥淒erek Schiefer鈥� under Designation.
Center for Sales Excellence, 糖心Vlog
Located within 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Parker College of Business, the is recognized by the and the as one of the nation鈥檚 top sales programs. Established in 2007, it is the mission of the Center to have a positive impact on the sales profession through education, research, and service. The program offers the students of 糖心Vlog an .
Through the Center, students gain experience with sales role-play in our dedicated labs, with many going on to compete in some of the nation鈥檚 most prestigious sales competitions. The Center also works to bring students together with companies in the industry looking to hire the best and brightest minds. It is the goal of the Center to be the preeminent sales program in the nation.