Students gain real-world sales experience through 13th annual benefit auction

National Strategic Selling Institute event awards $58,295 in student merit awards

By Karah Hildebrand

College of Business Administration

Kansas State University's National Strategic Selling Institute gave students in the Advanced Selling class an invaluable opportunity to put their classroom learning into action at the 13th annual benefit auction. The event functioned as a real-world sales experience, challenging students to develop and apply professional selling skills from start to finish.

Throughout the semester, students built sales pipelines, tracked prospects using Salesforce CRM, made live calls and received real-time coaching from faculty — all in preparation for executing a high-impact fundraising event.

"I want our students to leave this class with more than just a grade — I want them to walk away with a deep, firsthand understanding of what it truly means to be part of a salesforce," said Dawn Deeter, director of the National Strategic Selling Institute.

This year's class exceeded expectations by raising more than $232,314, with $58,295 awarded to 55 students based on their class performance. These merit awards celebrate not only academic achievement, but also the professionalism, grit and resilience it takes to thrive in a sales career.

Top honors and awards ranging from $500-$1,500 went to the recipients of the Ninja Sales Cat Awards, which recognize the highest-performing students in the class: Halle Hartner, junior in professional strategic selling, Belleville; Gavin Smith, junior in professional strategic selling, Derby; Jacqueline Varney, senior in professional strategic selling and management, Lansing; Jack Pearson, junior in professional strategic selling, Overland Park; and Alyssa Ansay, senior in professional strategic selling, Gainesville, Texas. The awards were made possible through generous sponsorships.

From sales calls and CRM tracking to handling rejection and closing deals, students left the Advanced Selling course with a powerful blend of technical skills and personal growth.

"This class set an ambitious goal and not only met it but shattered it," Deeter said. "I couldn't be prouder of their drive, their teamwork and the real-world experience they've gained along the way."

In addition to supporting student scholarships, the class raised $16,240 for Coming Together for a Cure, a Wichita-based nonprofit founded by a K-State graduate. Coming Together for a Cure provides renewed hope to individuals battling muscular dystrophy and other life-threatening illnesses by advancing education, support and access to adult stem cell therapy.

For more information on the National Strategic Selling Institute, contact kstatesalesprogram@k-state.edu.

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