Lasting Legacy

By Lindsay Anderson ‘04

Bradley management and leadership professor Dr. Charles “Chuck” Stoner retired after 35 years on the Hilltop. The longtime Foster College of Business faculty member holds an array of honors and achievements that have contributed to the success of the College.

Stoner specialized in leadership, interpersonal dynamics and organizational change. Stoner’s career in leadership development allowed him to work with Fortune 100 companies and provide executive coaching for key organizational leaders from CEOs to emerging leaders within companies. He also coached managers and leaders through the Executive Development Center.

Stoner published 12 books and various articles in refereed journals. His latest book, published in 2015, is Inspired Physician Leadership, Creating Influence and Impact. Other recent books include Building Leaders: Paving the Path for Emerging Leaders, A Life in Balance: Finding Meaning in a Chaotic World, and The Adversity Challenge: How Leaders Bounce Back from Setbacks.

Foster College faculty and administration had an array of positive things to say as they reflected on Stoner’s retirement and his contributions to the College and Bradley.

“The most meaningful and lasting contributions Chuck has made are off radar, as he is not one to seek attention or accolades,” said Associate Dean for Graduate and Executive Programs, Dr. Jen Robin. “Quite simply, our department, college, and university are better for him having spent his career at Bradley. While his absence will be felt next year, Chuck’s impact will be with us for years to come.”

“Every generation, there are a small handful of faculty whose impact on the university is so profound and so enduring that they are regarded as ‘legendary’ faculty,” marketing professor emeritus Dr. Robert Baer said. “Though he is surely too modest to acknowledge it, Chuck will be counted among this group. He is a gifted teacher, one of the best that I have known over my lifetime spent in academia. He is an insightful author whose books are important yet engaging. Above all, I consider Chuck to be one of the Foster College’s most important thought leaders. Over the course of his career, he has helped shape and guide the direction of the Foster College.”