The Rockhurst University Leadership Series (RULS) brings some of the world’s foremost thinkers and luminaries to Kansas City's Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts to speak on aspects of their leadership. Past guests to Kansas City have included James Brown, David Brooks, Caroline Kennedy, Joe Montana, Condoleezza Rice and Capt. Scott Kelly.
2026 Special Guest
Jim McKelvey
Innovator, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Block, Inc. (Formerly Square)
Image
The Rockhurst University Leaders Council presents the 2026 Rockhurst University Leadership Series on April 1, 2026, featuring Jim McKelvey.
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors
Magis Sponsor:
Jesuit Sponsor:
Image
Kansas City Sponsors:
The Rashford-Lyon Award
During RULS, Rockhurst University honors the recipient of that year's Rashford-Lyon Award for Leadership and Ethics. The Rashford-Lyon Award for Leadership and Ethics is named for two of Rockhurst’s influential leaders: the late Tom Lyon, Ph.D., and the Rev. Nick Rashford, S.J. Established in 2014, the Rashford-Lyon Award for Leadership and Ethics honors recipients who exemplify high ethical standards of business conduct with excellence in leadership as demonstrated by outstanding initiative, impact of work and inspiration to others.
Past recipients include Tom Lyon, Ph.D.; Jane Chu, Ph.D., ’05 EMBA; Mayor Sly James, ’80; Patricia Cleary Miller, Ph.D.; Tom McCullough, ’64, and Tom McDonnell, ’66; Jean Dunn, Wendy Doyle, ’94, Lisa Ginter, ’87, Ama Karikari, M.D., ’07, Marny Sherman, ’75, and Bridgette Williams, ’16 EMBA; Joe Reardon, '90; Madeline Romious, ’95 MBA; and Dave Harrison, ’81.
This year's honoree is Denny Thum, a 1974 graduate of Rockhurst University who began his 36-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs as an accountant upon graduating from Rockhurst. In the following years, he would become an integral member of the front office during one of the franchise’s most successful periods, serving in roles such as executive vice president, chief operating officer, assistant general manager under Carl Peterson, and ultimately president. Learn more about our 2025 honoree here.
