Ohio-based workplace design company LOTH, Inc. creates scholarship for Lindner students with a passion for selling
Inaugural scholarship recipient Cole Davis makes most of opportunity
At the University of Cincinnati a small group of students is dedicated to competing in regional and national collegiate sales competitions. They meet weekly to fine-tune their sales skills in preparation for these day-long role-playing contests.
Carl H. Lindner College of Business undergraduate Cole Davis is among the 25 students on this Varsity Sales Team (VST).
“It’s a unique way for us to get hands-on sales and marketing experience, and I have been able to commit to it and take advantage of opportunities thanks to a scholarship,” Davis says.
Cole Davis, LCB '24.
Earlier this year, Davis received the scholarship from the LOTH Scholarship Fund for Professional Selling, which was established after leadership at LOTH, Inc., a leading furniture and workplace design company, recognized the power of students being able to participate in such extracurriculars.
“Thank you, LOTH, for seeing and understanding the importance of scholarships for our students,” says Jennifer Barlow, executive director, external relations, at the Center for Professional Selling. “Because of their generosity, this scholarship will benefit our hardworking students participating on the Varsity Sales Team. It lets them practice their sales skills and gives them a competitive edge when entering the workforce.”
For Davis, the scholarship has enabled him to focus on his coursework and pursue extracurriculars like the Varsity Sales Team. And it is already paying off.
In October, Davis competed with two other VST members in Cleveland for the Ohio Collegiate Sales Competition. It was his first competition, yet he was able to advance to the second round because he successfully embodied the role of a new sales rep at a national media company tasked with pitching a local dental practice.
“It was amazing,” Barlow reflects. “I watched his role-play live, and he had a tough buyer to contend with, but he did so well, and the entire team made it to the semifinals.”
Scholarships like this are so important for our sales students because a large percentage of them are working part-time to fund their education. Such dollars translate to more opportunities and help alleviate the external pressures students face.
Jennifer Barlow executive director, external relations, at the Center for Professional Selling
Davis, majoring in operations management and minoring in professional selling, says the LOTH scholarship has allowed him to get the most out of his academics and the resources available to students. “I am so grateful for companies like LOTH that are giving back to help students like me.”
“Scholarships like this are so important for our sales students because a large percentage of them are working part-time to fund their education,” Barlow explains. “Such dollars translate to more opportunities and help alleviate the external pressures students face.”
Upon graduation, Davis hopes to translate his education, training, and penchant for building relationships into a sales position. Thanks to LOTH and UC, he is off to a great start.
Featured image at top: Cole Davis. Photo/Provided.
Next, Now
With its focus on innovation and impact, Next, Now: The Campaign for Cincinnati is where ambition meets action. At the University of Cincinnati and UC Health, we’re driven by next; thinking bolder and dreaming bigger to create the tomorrow we envision, today. Learn more at nextnow.uc.edu.
Caitlin Whitehurst
For the UC Foundation
Caitlin Whitehurst is a writer living in Columbus, Ohio. She earned her MBA from the Carl H. Lindner College of Business in 2019.
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