THE WILFRED AND ANN LEE KONNEKER ENDOWMENT FOR LEADERSHIP "VISIONARIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION"

The Wilfred and Ann Lee Konneker Endowment for Leadership was established at Culver-Stockton College in 2013 to support the immersion of leadership development and teachings into the College’s distinctive and innovative approach to student learning. The outcome of the resources gifted to the College by the Konneker’s is to provide a supportive and value-based learning environment where students are able to acquire attitudes, knowledge and skills to successfully work with others to accomplish mutual goals. Building self-awareness as a leader through offerings of personal development initiatives and the promotion and understanding of various leadership styles helps students at the College create their own preference on approaches to leading in a vastly changing world.

The Konneker fund impacts leadership teachings and comprehension in the following ways:

Wildcat Leadership Seminar

The Wildcat Leadership Seminar for all first-year students sets the stage and mindset for student learning. The course facilitates a greater understanding of leadership theory and practice and incorporates two major community service events throughout their college experience, preparing them to lead through connection, empathy, and kindness. 
 

Leader in Residency Program

Our annual "leader in residency program" brings exceptional leaders throughout the region, country, and world to campus to share experiences and knowledge on leadership. Our leader in residence spends extended time on campus and delivers a keynote presentation to both students and other parties beyond the campus community, engages and interacts with classes throughout campus, while teaching small group workshops on "leadership through experiential learning."

Student Stipend Program

A selective student stipend program is available for travel to leadership conferences as approved by our committee on leadership development and our Provost. For more information or to apply, see Policies and Procedures below. Conferences that reflect a variety of leadership development seminars are considered, including the National Center for Student Leadership.

Konneker Adm. Davidson Classroom Edited 04

The 2024 Konneker Leader in Residence was Admiral Philip Davidson who came to campus for speaking engagements with C-SC students and community members. Davidson is a retired four-star admiral in the United States Navy. His presentation focused “On Leadership.”

Past Konneker Speakers

Leadership is a process whereby a student of promise, drawing upon integrity and the best values of faith and the human spirit, motivates others to achieve a common goal.