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When Sebastian Derflinger left Austria to attend college in the United States, he had two main goals: to play the sport he loves and to pursue his education.
Sebastian’s journey began after his freshman year at a small university in Indiana, where he initially arrived to play college soccer. His talents were quickly recognized, and soon he was recruited by Georgian Court’s soccer coach. Although leaving his other school was hard, he knew right away that transferring to GCU was the right choice.
“While soccer was the initial reason I came here, I quickly realized that my decision had a far greater impact than I ever expected.” He added, “It was easy to settle in at GCU because, since stepping foot on this campus, I felt a sense of belonging and found a home far away from home,” he explained.
Sebastian quickly immersed himself in campus life as a part of the soccer team and the international community. “There’s a real sense of community here. The Global Education Department helps with everything and brings people together,” he continued. “My teammates and coaches have also been incredibly supportive—they picked me up from the airport and gave me rides to the store and really helped me out. Their support truly shaped my experience.”
His long-time fascination with numbers led him to major in Finance with a minor in Accounting. “Growing up, I was cautious with money and enjoyed the analytical side of things,” he said. “I’ve always had a different way of thinking about money—I’d save every cent and loved looking at things from a logical, numbers-based perspective. That’s what drew me to accounting.”
When asked who supported him along the way, he didn’t hesitate to name Dr. Cathleen McQuillen, an Associate Professor in the School of Business and Digital Media. “She’s been my advisor and the main professor I’ve had in accounting. Her real-world experience and the way she teaches had a huge impact on me.”
Sebastian excelled both on the field and in the classroom. He was named Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2024–2025. He received the First Award in Finance and the School of Business & Digital Media Executive Advisory Council Emerging Leader Award. He also earned the Academic Excellence Award in finance, was named to the President’s List nearly every semester, and was selected for the CACC All-Academic Team in soccer. His dedication led to membership in several honor societies, including Delta Mu Delta (International Business Honor Society), Chi Alpha Sigma (National College Athlete Honor Society), and Kappa Gamma Pi (National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society).
Some of Sebastian’s fondest memories are tied to his experience as a student-athlete. “The best moments have come from soccer. Winning a penalty shootout in the fall of 2023 to advance to the conference semifinals is something I’ll never forget,” he said. “In Europe, you don’t have college athletics like here. Living, training, and playing with your teammates creates a special bond.”
Beyond academics and athletics, Sebastian has been greatly influenced by the Mercy Core Values. “At other institutions, values are often just words, but here, people live by them and actually work towards change.”
He experienced this firsthand as a volunteer moving furniture for Vincent’s Legacy, which collects and repurposes donated quality furniture and household items to those in need. “I saw a young boy ecstatic about the new furniture he was getting. To some, it may have just been an old, used bed, but to him, it meant the world.” He continued, “At this moment, I was able to be part of significant societal change that I felt proud of and that filled me with a deeper sense of purpose.”
Sebastian’s journey is a testament to the opportunities that emerge from embracing change, seeking community, and pursuing personal and academic growth. Soccer goals have morphed into life goals, shaped by the experiences, memories, and values that defined his time at GCU and in America.
After graduation, he will return to Austria to complete a summer internship before pursuing his dream of becoming an air traffic controller. “I’ve always been interested in aviation and wanted to be an air traffic controller, which requires a lot of analytical and systematic thinking, skills similar to those in accounting and finance.”
“I will step onboard a flight back to Austria with not just a degree in my hand, but with a lifetime of experiences and lessons that will shape my future,” said Sebastian. “For that, I will always be grateful—to GCU, my professors, my coaches, and the entire community that made this journey so special.”
