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 David Brooks, Caroline Kennedy, Joe Montana, Condoleezza Rice and Capt. Scott Kelly.
2025 Special Guest
James Brown,
5-time Emmy Award-winning Network Broadcaster
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Sports Broadcasting Legend Tells RULS Crowd to “Break the Huddle and Run the Play”
James Brown, known to many as JB, is no stranger to Kansas City.
He said he has visited the city many times as a longtime broadcaster on “The NFL Today” on CBS and elsewhere. He knows the Chiefs, obviously, but also local landmarks like the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and has opinions on barbecue (but also knows enough not to pick a favorite).
On JB was once again welcomed to KC, trading the gridiron for the grand stage April 2 as the guest of the Rockhurst University Leadership Series at the Kauffman Center.
Brown’s presentation drew on his observations of leaders around him as well as his own experience, giving the crowd of Kansas City’s business leaders advice on how to overcome obstacles and think big.
As a person of deep faith himself, Brown said the Jesuits had done some of the work for him.
“The Jesuit education encourages students to see the world as a reflection of God's creation and to seek meaning and purpose in everything that they do in their lives and work,” he said.
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors
Magis Sponsor:
Jesuit Sponsor:
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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.
