Derek Schiefer '11 Memorial Center for Sales Excellence Endowed Scholarship

Family, friends, co-workers, and customers of Derek Richard Schiefer (MKTG, 2011) have generously raised funds to endow a scholarship 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 Georgia Southern University, 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.

According to Derek’s mother, Ann, “Derek’s success in professional sales was driven by relationships built upon trust and integrity. Derek’s education at Georgia Southern helped him recognize and develop his God-given skills. Derek did not focus on academics or getting the ‘A,’ he focused on what is vital–people and positive outcomes through hard work.”