Konneker Leadership Initiative – 91ֱ Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:51:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2021/07/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Konneker Leadership Initiative – 91ֱ 32 32 Culver-Stockton Welcomes Greg Logsdon ’91 as Konneker Leader in Residence /news/2026/culver-stockton-welcomes-greg-logsdon-91-as-konneker-leader-in-residence/ Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:34:52 +0000 /?p=48661 CANTON, Mo. 91ֱ will welcome alumnus Greg Logsdon ‘91 back to campus as this year’s Konneker Leader in Residence. Logsdon will deliver his keynote presentation, “It Ain’t About the Money,” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, in the Merillat Chapel. The event is free and open to the public. 

The Leader in Residence program is made possible by the Wilfred and Ann Lee Konneker Leadership Initiative, which provides a supportive, values-based learning environment where students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to work with and through others to accomplish mutual goals.

A standout student-athlete, entrepreneur, coach, and philanthropist, Logsdon’s journey from northeast Missouri to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame reflects a career defined by leadership, mentorship and community impact.

“Greg’s story is a powerful example of what it means to live out the Culver-Stockton mission,” said Dr. Lauren Schellenberger, President of 91ֱ. “His success in athletics, business and service, and his commitment to investing in others along the way, embodies the kind of purpose-driven leadership we hope to inspire in every student on the Hill.”

A 1987 graduate of Highland High School (Lewistown, Mo.), Logsdon set scoring records that stood for more than three decades before continuing his basketball career at Culver-Stockton on scholarship. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the College and later completed a master’s degree in education, a master’s degree in business administration and a degree in exercise physiology from the University of Missouri.

Logsdon has dedicated much of his life to athletics, coaching approximately 1,200 games across multiple levels of competition. He served as a Nike EYBL coach for the Missouri Phenom—one of only 32 Nike-sponsored clubs in the nation—and founded the Missouri Stealth national fastpitch program, which grew to 22 teams and helped secure numerous collegiate scholarships for young women. His contributions to youth and amateur athletics culminated in his induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

In addition to coaching, Logsdon has built a dual career in real estate and medical sales. He has spent more than 20 years in the medical device industry and currently serves as a distributor for Globus Medical.

Logsdon has remained closely connected to his community, supporting local student-athletes and programs, including funding state championship rings for Highland girls’ golf and softball teams.

In 2025, he published “It Ain’t About the Money: A Coach’s Quest for Purpose, Impact, and Cultivating a Life That Matters,” a book that reflects his philosophy on leadership, relationships and service.

As Konneker Leader in Residence, Logsdon will share insights from his experiences in athletics, business and community engagement, offering students a perspective on purpose-driven leadership and professional development.

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Radazaih “Cookie” Whittington ‘17 will serve as the spring 2025 Konneker Leader in Residence /news/2025/radazaih-cookie-whittington-17-will-serve-as-the-spring-2024-konneker-leader-in-residence/ Mon, 17 Feb 2025 16:57:05 +0000 /?p=39688 91ֱ is pleased to announce Radazaih “Cookie” Whittington ‘17, a dynamic entrepreneur, TV and film producer, and educator, will serve as the spring 2025 Konneker Leader in Residence.

Whittington boasts extensive experience in media production, having worked on acclaimed shows such as Sesame Street and at renowned organizations like Tyler Perry Studios. Her career includes key roles at Black News Channel (BNC), NBC, and Cox Communications/Cox Media, where she made significant contributions to media strategy, content creation, social media management, and streaming/OTT initiatives.

“91ֱ is excited to welcome Radazaih Whittington back to campus to share her experiences as an entrepreneur and in film and TV producing,” said President Lauren Schellenberger. “Her story, commitment, and enterprising spirit will be an inspiration for our students seeking to be bold, think big, and create change.”

In addition to her media production work, Whittington is a dedicated entrepreneur. She founded Royal Horizon Productions, an Atlanta-based production company that amplifies the voices of people of color in television and film and provides multi-media services around the country. She also launched Royal Talent Studios, which provides space and resources for creatives in the media industry.

Expanding her ventures beyond the entertainment sector, Whittington established Royal Horizon Beauty Supply Vending, a trailblazing business that places vending machines stocked with beauty, hair, skin, and health products on college campuses. This initiative specifically addresses the needs of minority students, with the first vending machine launched at her alma mater, 91ֱ, in 2023.

Whittington’s academic journey is as remarkable as her professional accomplishments. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Media Communication from 91ֱ in 2017, followed by a Master of Arts in TV and Film from the Savannah College of Art & Design in 2019. Further solidifying her expertise, she obtained a Juris Master in Media & Entertainment Law from Emory University School of Law in 2021.

During her residency, Whittington will be the keynote speaker at a luncheon with the topic, “Beyond the Diplomas: Crafting Your Unwritten Story”and will be visiting a class thereafter on Wednesday, February 19.

With this high-energy interactive keynote speech, Whittington will provide an interactive series designed to guide students through what REALLY comes next after college. The audience will explore the realities of navigating diverse career paths, embracing leadership in its many forms, and fostering entrepreneurial spirit.

Whittington reminds students, “it’s perfectly okay to not have everything figured out. Life’s journey is filled with twists and turns, and that’s all part of the adventure.”

Her series offers actionable insights and inspiration tailored to participants’ needs, whether you’re eager to accelerate your career, pursue further education, or develop new skills to become your own boss. Together, we’ll engage in discussions about continuous learning, personal growth, and breaking through the limits of what you think is possible. Let’s embark on this journey to start writing the next chapter of your life—even if the full story isn’t yet clear.

The Wilfred and Ann Lee Konneker Leaders in Residence program was established at Culver- Stockton College in 2013 with the framework to provide a supportive and value-based learning environment where students can acquire knowledge and skills to work with and through others to accomplish mutual goals. The Leader in Residence is annually selected by a committee and asked to share their leadership principles with the C-SC community.

Contact the Marketing & Public Relations Office at pr@culver.edu or 573-288-6000 ext. 6728 for more information.

NOTE: A number that appears immediately after a person’s name (i.e. Jane Doe ’18) is a reference to the year that person earned their bachelor’s degree from 91ֱ.

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CULVER-STOCKTON COLLEGE WELCOMES DR. DUSTIN YORK AS FALL 2024 KONNEKER LEADER IN RESIDENCE /news/2024/culver-stockton-college-welcomes-dr-dustin-york-as-fall-2024-konneker-leader-in-residence/ Tue, 29 Oct 2024 23:05:18 +0000 /?p=37928 CANTON, MO — 91ֱ is pleased to announce that Dr. Dustin York, an associate professor at Maryville University in St. Louis, will serve as the fall 2024 Konneker Leader in Residence. Dr. York brings a wealth of experience in digital marketing and leadership
branding, both in academia and industry, and has been recognized with multiple awards, including the St. Louis Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award and the American Marketing Association 4 Under 40.

Dr. York has an impressive background, having worked in branding for the 2008 Obama Presidential campaign and with high-profile clients such as Pepsi Co. and Nike. Currently, he serves as a subject matter expert for major platforms like CNN, Entrepreneur.com, and Forbes, and he contributes to the Harvard Business Review. His expertise also extends to Fortune 500 consulting, where he offers strategic guidance in leadership branding.

During his residency, Dr. York will host three events on Friday, November 15:
Student Keynote: “Building Your Leadership Brand”
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
91ֱ
Meaders Lounge within the Gladys Crown Student Center

In this high-energy, interactive keynote, Dr. York will guide students on building a powerful leadership brand that stands out in student organizations, the workplace, and their communities. Through a focus on personal branding with a leadership perspective, participants will gain actionable insights to lead authentically. Dr. York will share strategies for communicating unique value, establishing credibility, and building meaningful connections aligned with their vision for leadership.

Guest Lecturer
Friday, November 15
2:00-3:00pm
91ֱ Marketing Innovation Class
Herrick Center 210

Dr. York will also lead a guest lecture for a marketing class, focusing on the latest trends and innovations in the field. Students in attendance can look forward to a firsthand look at the evolving marketing landscape, directly from one of the industry’s influential voices. “91ֱ is excited to offer its students, staff, and faculty the opportunity to learn from Dr. York’s expertise, thanks to the Konneker Leader in Residence program, stated Dr. Lauren Schellenberger. “The Konneker program brings distinguished professionals to campus to inspire and educate students, helping them to become confident leaders in their fields.”

Faculty & Staff Workshop
Friday, November 15
1:00-2:00pm
91ֱ
Gladys Crown Student Center
Meaders Lounge

Dr. York’s faculty and staff workshop will be held in Meaders Lounge at 1pm. During this workshop, those attending will gain knowledge and communication tips from his presentation titled “Hack Your Leadership Skills: From Nonverbal Communication to Persuasive Strategies.”

The Wilfred and Ann Lee Konneker Leaders in Residence program was established at Culver- Stockton College in 2013 with the framework to provide a supportive and value-based learning environment where students can acquire knowledge and skills to work with and through others to accomplish mutual goals. The Leader in Residence is annually selected by a committee and asked to share their leadership principles with the C-SC community.

 

ABOUT CULVER-STOCKTON COLLEGE
91ֱ, situated on 140 acres in Canton, Missouri, atop The Hill overlooking the Mississippi River was founded in 1853 by members of the Disciples of Christ Church. Today, more than 1,000 students from around the
world shape their futures in academic excellence with opportunities in 80 majors and minors, five graduate programs, 19 NAIA inter-collegiate athletics, 35 diverse student organizations, and many campus-life events.

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Admiral Philip Davidson Named Culver-Stockton Konneker Leader In Residence /news/2024/admiral-philip-davidson-named-culver-stockton-konneker-leader-in-residence/ Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:29:40 +0000 /?p=33497 As the Konneker Leader in Residence, Davidson will speak to community members on Tuesday, March 12, at 7:30pm in Merillat Chapel in the Robert W. Brown Performing Arts Center. Wednesday, March 13, will be a full day of speaking engagements and a luncheon with C-SC students for Davidson. He has titled his presentations as “On Leadership.”

Davidson is a retired four-star admiral in the United States Navy. For three years, he served as the 25th commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command. Additionally, he served as the commander of the United States Fleet Forces Command and United States Naval Forces Northern Command. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Davidson chose the United States Naval Academy for his post-high school education. Davidson officially retired in 2021.

“We are honored to welcome Admiral Davidson to “the Hill” to share his experiences in leadership, perseverance, and service.” President Lauren B. Schellenberger said. “We look forward to the Admiral’s lessons of character and strength for our students of promise.”

The Wilfred and Ann Lee Konneker Leaders in Residence program was established at 91ֱ in 2013 with the framework to provide a supportive and value-based learning environment where students can acquire knowledge and skills to work with and through others to accomplish mutual goals. The Leader in Residence is annually selected by a committee and asked to share their leadership principles with the C-SC community.

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Tim Fischer named Konneker Leader in Residence /news/2021/tim-fischer-named-konneker-leader-in-residence/ Tue, 26 Oct 2021 22:04:00 +0000 /?p=13688 The Wilfred and Ann Lee Konneker Leadership in Residence program was established at 91ֱ in 2015 with the framework to provide a supportive and value-based learning environment where students can acquire knowledge and skills to work with and through others to accomplish mutual goals. The Leader in Residence is annually selected by a committee and asked to share their leadership principles with the C-SC community. Tim Fischer, a distinguished alumnus and accomplished professional accepted the nomination, which was fulfilled October 12-14, 2021.

Fischer provided his keynote address, “Six Steps to Achieve Success in Life,” on Tuesday, October 12th in the Merillat Chapel and taught guests that success was “self-defined.” He further explained that success is achieved when finding balance amongst life’s responsibilities, and living a life of service to others is most important. In addition to the keynote address, Fischer was a guest speaker in several classes, met with a variety of student groups, and concluded his time at C-SC connecting with campus and community leaders.

Currently serving as the President of Jackson and Coker, Fischer leads one of the nation’s largest healthcare staffing firms. He provides direction to become laser-focused on its mission of connecting healthcare providers and communities to transform lives. With over thirty years in the staffing industry, his values-based leadership is parallel with the Jackson and Coker culture of “others first, growth and wisdom.”

Fischer attended the United States Air Force Academy before graduating from 91ֱ with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He and his wife have two sons and reside in Alpharetta, Georgia.

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