Rollercoaster ride to success

At some point in their academic careers, some students realize they lack the motivation to go on as they had previously.

Jacqueline Malone, a senior majoring in marketing, recently won a regional sales and speaking competition after discovering some newfound motivation and overcoming several hardships.

Malone's motivation comes from many sources, she said, but it really began in 2002, after she was involved in a car accident with an underage drunk driver who had run a red light.

"After the accident, I couldn't walk for about three months," Malone said. "I did get a lot of time to sit down and re-evaluate my life during that time, though."

After she had recovered, Malone went to basic training with United States Air Force, but left for medical reasons.

"I really loved being in the Air Force," Malone said. "It just wasn't the right thing to do at the time, unfortunately."

After taking time off from school to work, Malone said, she met Donald Malone in the African-American Gospel Choir, at the Capstone. A few years later, in the summer of 2005, they were married.

"Donald has been extraordinary," Malone said. "He makes the transition between my home life and my life at school seamless. With his help and support, I have really been able to push myself to new heights."

Malone lives in Birmingham with her husband, who is now the director of Web processes and development for the office of Student Affairs at the Capstone.

Malone said her college story has been a turbulent one, but it started to change in the summer term of 2007.

"I made the dean's list this past summer," Malone said. "That really got me to push myself forward and prove to myself that I could succeed. I felt like I would be stepping into my destiny once I came back this year."

Last semester, Malone joined the business fraternity Pi Sigma Epsilon, and is now the vice president of marketing for the fraternity. The University's chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon attended the regional competition for the first time in its history in October.

"At the competition, I received first place in the speech competition and second place in the sales portion," Malone said. "We went to the competition not expecting much, but managed to sweep both divisions from much more experienced schools."

Malone said she will attend the national competition in March.

"I'm looking forward to going," Malone said. "Marketing and sales is my passion, and I can't wait to have the chance to do well in a national competition."

Malone said her journey through school has been rough, but her passion for music has helped her get through it.

"I write music, play the piano and sing," Malone said. "I can definitely see myself on a stage one day, but I have to keep that dream in focus while pursuing my career in marketing."

Malone said she always followed her heart when she wasn't sure what to do and advises the same to other students.

"My college experience has been full of ups and downs, but listening to my heart has always seen me through," Malone said. "Always follow your heart, it may lead you to somewhere that you didn't expect, but you will be happier there than anywhere else in the world."