FEATURED ARTICLE
Dr. Greg Marshall Inducted into Direct Selling Education Foundation Circle of Honor
Dr. Greg Marshall, along with two other academic colleagues, were inducted into the Direct Selling Education Foundation’s Circle of Honor at the annual convention in Austin, TX.
Crummer’s Charles Harwood Professor of Marketing and Strategy, Dr. Greg Marshall, was not expecting to be receiving a prestigious award when he was in Austin, TX, this past June for the Direct Selling Association Annual Convention.
Prepared to be a guest in an on-stage panel in front of about 500 people, Dr. Marshall was mic’d up and ready to share his wisdom on the changes in e-commerce, when instead DSEF leadership started to talk about the DSEF Circle of Honor inductees.
To his surprise, Dr. Marshall wasn’t just there to speak on a panel – he was receiving DSEF’s highest honor, induction into the DSEF Circle of Honor.
Created in 1988, the DSEF Circle of Honor recognizes direct selling industry leaders and academics who have made extraordinary contributions to the Foundation through personal efforts, involvement, and commitment to the mission and purpose of DSEF.
“It came as a total surprise. They got me pretty good. It’s such an incredible honor to be inducted into the Circle of Honor,” said Dr. Marshall, who received the award alongside Victoria Crittenden, Professor of Marketing and Research Scholar at Babson College, and Harbert College Marketing Chair at Auburn University Dr. Linda Ferrell.
Presenting Dr. Marshall the commendation was Robert A. Peterson, Chair in Business Administration at the University of Texas at Austin (also a former Circle of Honor inductee), and Gary Huggins, DSEF Executive Director.
“For decades Greg has brought significant value to the Foundation and the industry through his expertise, thought partnership, and extensive networks,” said Gary Huggins, DSEF Executive Director. “Since 2016, when DSEF introduced a three-year plan to deepen our relationships with the academic community, he has worked tirelessly to help us grow our Academic Fellows program, publish direct selling-related research, include direct selling in textbooks, launch a new Doctoral Sales Grant Program, and help shape the vision for the Foundation of the future.”
Dr. Marshall serves on the Foundation’s Academic Advisory Council and led the launch of DSEF’s new Doctoral Sales Grant Program, which provides recipients with a valuable research or dissertation opportunity and recognizes the integral role that sales excellence plays in the ongoing success of the direct selling channel. He also co-authors several textbooks, including Marketing: Real People, Real Choices.
“Dr. Marshall’s work with students as well as with outstanding organizations such as the DSEF exemplifies our mission at Crummer to produce and foster global, responsible, and innovative leaders who impact their organizations and communities,” said Dr. Deborah Crown, dean of the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. “We congratulate Dr. Marshall and thank the DSEF for recognizing his remarkable contributions.”
For Dr. Marshall, this award is a continuation of the career he is deeply passionate about.
“I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to do the things I do and be affiliated with a business school as great as Crummer,” said Dr. Marshall. “Induction into the DSEF Circle of Honor along with some of my academic heroes is an amazing experience.”