The collective work of many culminated in a milestone this past summer that promises to keep alive the memory of one former St. Ambrose University student.
Derrek Drexler died in 2009, on his 21st birthday, as a result of a rare viral infection. A junior at the time, Drexler had earned a full academic scholarship to St. Ambrose and was pursuing degrees in finance and accounting.
In July, the Derrek Drexler Accounting Scholarship became fully endowed, which means that St. Ambrose will continue to award funding as long as the school exists and students want to major in accounting. At least $50,000 must be donated to any scholarship for it to reach endowment status.
"To do it in five years is pretty impressive," said Andy Milton, director of Campus Recreation. "It goes back to who he touched in his life. It was very easy to find a connection with him. He was one of those students who was a friend first."
At the time of his death, Drexler served as the student coordinator for Campus Recreation under Milton.
"He was hungry to learn, to be involved," Milton said. "It wasn't just come, show up, do your job, and leave. He had a zest for living."
That enthusiasm has been taken up by Drexler's family and friends, whose efforts made the scholarship endowment possible. According to the Advancement Office, this scholarship holds the rare distinction of being fully-endowed without at least one large donation.
Instead, two events have raised money over the past five years.
The Dash 4 Drex started in 2009 in the weeks after Drexler's death as a way to bring the St. Ambrose community together with Drexler's family and high school friends.
The 2.1-mile race continues to pay tribute to the active, athletic student.
"A lot of different people came together and thought about it, given the timing of his death, being his 21st birthday, him being active," Milton said. "The money got the scholarship built, but the race was really to honor him. It still is."
The other main funding source for the scholarship is the Derrek D. Drexler Memorial Golf Outing, held annually on courses in the area around his hometown of Dubuque, Iowa.
The event has moved several times due to scheduling conflicts, but Ann Drexler said that fits her son, who played on courses throughout the tri-state area and worked at one in Dubuque during high school. Drexler's friends from Wahlert Catholic High School make up the organizing committee.
"Most of his friends, they were together from grade school on," Ann said. "It's a tremendous amount of work they put into it. They're not in Dubuque anymore. They're scattered all over."
But they come together again each August. The 2014 event drew around 90 golfers. St. Ambrose Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Tim Phillips attended to make the official announcement to the participants about the scholarship's endowment status.
"Very emotional," Ann said of the mood. "Tears. Hugging. I gave Tim a huge hug."
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