Cannon Leatherman Wins 2025 DU National Scholarship

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – June 16, 2025 – Cannon Leatherman, of Concord, North Carolina, is the recipient of the 2025 Susie Konkel Ducks Unlimited (DU) National Scholarship.

Cannon, who joined the DU Charlotte Youth Varsity Chapter in 2023, was the co-chairman in 2024. He led meetings and played a key role in organizing their banquet. Over two years, he helped lead this team by hosting two fundraising events that raised over $65,000 for wetland conservation.

The DU Varsity chapter program is for high school students across the United States, teaching them leadership, business and communication skills while contributing to DU’s conservation mission.

Cannon and his family have a long history of volunteering for DU, stretching back four generations. Cannon’s passion for conservation can be traced back to his grandfather, an outdoorsman who dedicated his life to giving back to the places he loved to hunt and fish. Cannon’s family involvement with DU is a continuation of his legacy.

In addition to the $10,000 national scholarship, DU awarded 60 scholarships to deserving high school seniors from across the country: 10 conservation scholarships at $1,000 each and 50 varsity scholarships for $500 each.

The DU National Scholarship program would not exist without the generosity of donors across the country who have endowed it in perpetuity, including Susie Konkel. Her support of the national scholarship was instrumental in ensuring this program will help financially support many deserving high school seniors as they continue their education.

“My grandfather shared his love of the outdoors and conservation with my late brother, Jim Konkel,” Susie said. “Jim’s enthusiasm for Ducks Unlimited inspired me to get involved. This annual national scholarship means I can help pass on the importance of wetlands conservation to future generations.” 

Scholarship applications are reviewed by a volunteer selection committee appointed by DU Advisory Senior Vice President to the National Youth and Education Committee Ken Carroll.

“I am extremely proud of Cannon and all of the 2025 DU scholarship recipients,” Carroll said. “For the past eight years, DU has awarded scholarships totaling $370,000 to high school seniors who are members of and volunteers for Ducks Unlimited. All these award-winning students mean a bright future for waterfowling and wetlands conservation.”

Click here for a complete 2025 DU National Scholarship Program recipients list.

About Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 19 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. DU is growing its mission through a historic $3 billion Conservation For A Continent comprehensive campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org.

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