OGDEN, Utah – Of the 1,200 students competing at the DECA Collegiate International Career Development Conference in Salt Lake City in April, three Weber State University students placed first.
Felice Gant placed first in the Professional Sales competitive event. Seth Dickison and James Proudfit paired up for a first-place finish in the National Management Challenge.
In addition, two WSU students took third place and several others placed in the top 10.
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in sales, marketing, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Students at the conference represented 230 colleges and universities from the United States and Canada. WSU had 22 students – all technical sales majors from the College of Applied Science & Technology – compete in 11 different events.
“To end up with three first places in an international competition is just phenomenal,” said Vel Casler, the WSU collegiate DECA advisor. “It brings more focus on the value of the collegiate DECA program at Weber State. It shows how well we can perform on an international stage. When students compete they really have to learn the subject matter. They have to take what they’ve learned in class and go above and beyond to prepare for their events.”
“DECA is something I never thought I would do, and to go and place at an international competition is an amazing feeling,” said Gant, who believes DECA can provide students from all majors with skills to use in the future.
“DECA can be for any program,” she said. “Everyone is either going to work for a business or own their own, and DECA will give you the skills you need to be successful.”
Event Winners
(Those who received winners’ plaques)
Felice Gant 1st Place Professional Sales
Seth Dickison 1st Place National Management Challenge
James Proudfit 1st Place National Management Challenge
Brett Aldridge 3nd Place Business to Business Marketing
Sina Sharifan 3nd Place Business to Business Marketing
Conference Top 10 Medalists
(Those who received top 10 medallions)
Matt Carlile Website Design
Brett Aldridge Business to Business Marketing
Sina Sharifan Business to Business Marketing
Zachary Eagen Business to Business Marketing
Jon Foster Business to Business Marketing
Adrian Covington Advertising Campaign
Alan Kennedy Sales Management Meeting
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
- Contact:
- Vel Casler, WSU collegiate DECA advisor
801-626-6324 • vcasler@weber.edu - Corie Holmes, office of Media Relations
801-626-7295 • corieholmes@weber.edu