Submitted by Brent Fritzemeier
More than $10,000 in merit awards were distributed to 21 students at the National Strategic Selling Institute, or NSSI, Benefit Auction on May 10th.
The NSSI Outstanding Senior Award, which recognizes a student in high academic standing who is actively involved with the NSSI as well as the College of Business, went to Alix Beezley, senior in marketing. The NSSI Service Award, given to a student who always goes above and beyond to help volunteer at events and make a positive impact on the NSSI, was awarded to Chase Stalder, senior in professional strategic selling. Both students received a $1,000 cash prize along with their recognition.
“Alix Beezley and Chase Stalder exemplify the hard-working and talented students in our sales program,” said Dawn Deeter, director of the National Strategic Selling Institute. “We’ve enjoyed watching them develop into outstanding sales professionals and look forward to their continued success.”
The Student Merit Awards are based on students’ participation and performance in the Marketing 570 classes that raise funds for the annual benefit auction. The three levels of awards — Ninja Sales Cat, Director’s Award and Honor Award — were given to the top performing students throughout the semester. Those students together raised approximately 40% of the auction proceeds.
Earning top performer in the Ninja Sales Cat award, along with $1,000, was Lane Liby, senior in management. Additional winners of the Ninja Sales Cat award, along with $750, were Beezley; Amie Mumma, senior in professional strategic selling; Ryan Schippers, senior in professional strategic selling; and Brett White, senior in professional strategic selling and marketing.
Receiving the Director’s Award, and $500, were Derek Olson, senior in marketing; Madeline Whitehead, junior in marketing and professional strategic selling; Keegan Hanson, senior in marketing; and Jenna Headley, junior in marketing.
The Honor Award, and $250, went to Paul Feighner, senior in professional strategic selling and economics; Madison Howard, junior in marketing and professional strategic selling; and Katie Horton, junior in professional strategic selling.
Top Activity Awards ranging from $250-500 were given to the students who had the most activities throughout the semester. Those activities include prospecting, negotiating and closing sales through face-to-face meetings, phone calls, emails, texts and hand written notes. Top activity awards went Olson; Hanson; Rachel Anderson, senior in marketing; Blake Henning, junior in management; and White.
Additional Student Merit Awards went to the Raffle Ticket Incentive and Press Pass Incentive, based on a two-week promotion to sell raffle tickets and press passes for the event. Olson sold 85 raffle tickets during that two-week period, while Jonathan Lock, senior in agricultural economics, sold five press passes. Each earned $150 with their award.
“I’m so proud of our sales students,” Deeter said. “Through this experience, they learned what it’s like to be a professional salesperson, including making a sale and encountering rejection. As a result, they know the effort and persistence required to be successful in their careers.”