The Chris Samfilippo Memorial Fund honors a beloved College of Business professor who inspired generations of UM-Dearborn students. The fund supports an annual student-selected award recognizing outstanding faculty. With just $8,000 left to reach endowment, your gift will help cement his legacy and ensure faculty excellence is celebrated in his name for decades to come.
Chris Samfilippo dedicated 44 years to teaching, including 25 years as a marketing lecturer at UM-Dearborn, where he left an indelible mark on students, colleagues, and friends around the world. Known for his gift of making lessons come alive through real-world examples and for his extraordinary care for students, Chris remained a mentor long after graduation. Alumni trace their careers back to his classroom, remembering his encouragement to “speak up” and build relationships grounded in integrity. Beyond Michigan, Chris lectured in countries such as Uzbekistan, Libya, and Jordan, and directed UM-Dearborn’s International Summer Program in Management in Italy, expanding students’ perspectives globally. His dedication to teaching never wavered; even while battling cancer, he explored technology to continue connecting with students. The Chris Samfilippo Memorial Fund provides direct support for the educational mission of the College of Business by funding the annual Samfilippo Prize in Education Excellence. By bringing the fund to the endowment threshold, we will secure Chris’s legacy and ensure future generations of students are inspired by his values of curiosity, compassion, and excellence.
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