Fulton, MO – It might be time to call it what it is – a dynasty!
For the first time, a Missouri university has been named state Collegiate DECA Chapter of the Year for four consecutive years, and that institution is William Woods University (WWU). The WWU team once again claimed the honor at the Missouri Collegiate DECA annual conference, which took place February 27 and 28 in Lake Ozark, becoming the first school ever to win the prestigious award four years in a row.
Around 100 Collegiate DECA participants attended the conference, representing 11 Missouri colleges and universities.
DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) is an organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in the fields of marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. William Woods is one of 250 campuses around the world with a Collegiate DECA chapter.
The Missouri Collegiate DECA Chapter of the Year is determined by participation in the Leadership Passport Program, a scrapbook outlining chapter activities, and an interview conducted at the state conference. The Leadership Passport Program is a recognition program also hosted at the national level that honors Collegiate DECA chapters and individuals for completing activities in the categories of Academically Successful and Career Ready, Community Oriented, Professionally Responsible and Experienced Leaders.
“Having William Woods named DECA Collegiate Chapter of the Year for the fourth consecutive year, beating out teams from much larger universities in the process, is pretty remarkable,” said David Forster, Associate Professor of Business and Economics and DECA advisor at WWU. “Our success illustrates not only the outstanding quality of students we have, but also the exciting opportunities possible for someone who decides to attend The Woods.”
The WWU victory was highlighted by the duo of Meredith Aguado ’22 and Jade Schmedding ’22 winning the Event Planning competition; Ben Schmiemeier ’21 placing second and Elizabeth Tamborski ’22 third in the Human Resource Management event, and WWU finishing third out of 11 teams in the Trivia Bowl.
Graduate student Nina McKee ’19 was also honored with a special award for excellence in the Business and Management exam. Also representing WWU at the competition was Stephanie Almazan ’23.
*Feature photo: First row, left to right: Stephanie Almazan ’23 and Nina McKee ‘19
Back row, left to right: Jade Schmedding ’22, Mary Aguado ’22, Ben Schmiemeier ’21, Elizabeth Tamborski ‘22
