Laura Small currently resides in Collinsville, Ill., with her life partner, Karen Thompson. Small was born in Chicago, Ill., to Gail and Jim Small. She has two older brothers, Mark Small of Frankfort, Ill., and Scott Small of Baltimore, Md.
Small is a 1989 graduate of Columbia College, with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in social studies and language arts for middle school. Small was recruited by Columbia College softball coach Chuck Bobbitt to play catcher for the Cougars. As part of a successful four-year career, Small was a member of the .300 batting club from 1986 to 1989. She also was named to the Academic All-Conference team all four years and was named three times to First Team All-Conference. Small finished her career by setting a school record for hits and RBI’s in a season and was named to the Second Team All-American in 1987, 1988 and 1989.
After graduating in 1989, Small held several different teaching positions, eventually making her way to the St. Louis area, where she currently teaches computer applications at Brittany Woods Middle School, part of the University City School District. Small has been with the district for 11 years and received her master’s degree in educational technology from Ashford University in 2010.
Vladimir RoganovicVladimir Roganovic, a native of Belgrade, Serbia, grew up playing soccer for the prestigious Red Star Belgrade club; he also played for the Under 17 Serbian National team. Soccer was always a huge part of Roganovic’s life, and in 2002, he accepted coach John Klein’s invitation to play for Columbia College, where Roganovic studied international business.
During his Columbia College career, Roganovic was team captain for three seasons, including 2003, where he helped his team qualify for the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in the school history. Roganovic was a four-time All American and was the first player in the history of the school soccer program to be named First Team All American in 2004. In addition, Roganovic was given the honors of AMC Freshman of the year in 2002, AMC First Team all four years from 2002 to 2005, Region 5 First Team all four years, Athletic Director Honor Roll from 2003 to 2005, and Columbia College Male Athlete of the Year in 2005.
Following his collegiate career, Roganovic played for the New York Islanders, a semi-professional team based in New York City. He returned to Columbia College in 2007 as a student assistant, working toward a master’s degree in business administration.
Upon receiving his MBA, Roganovic moved to Kansas City, Kan., where he founded Puma FC, a premier youth soccer club. In just three years, Roganovic and his business partner grew the company into one of the fastest growing youth soccer clubs in the city, with more than 500 members. In addition to the company’s focus on developing young soccer players, Puma FC also has launched a nonprofit after-school program, Chance for All. Created for inner city and underprivileged children, this program provides an opportunity for children to develop a love for the game of soccer and participate in organized sports activities.
Roganovic and his wife, Shannon, also a Columbia College graduate, married in 2009. They now live in Overland Park, Kan., with their daughter, Mihaela.
John HaggertyJohn Haggerty hails from Hicksville, N.Y., where he played baseball and football at St. Dominic High School. While at St. Dominic, Haggerty twice won team MVP and was named the Long Island Catholic Leagues co-MVP his senior year, as well as All Conference. He led the league in batting average (.459), as well as several other offensive and defensive categories.
During his freshman campaign, Haggerty won Rookie of the Year honors. As a four-year starter at Columbia College, he is one of only two players in school history to receive All Ozark Conference honors. He consistently ranked among team leaders in most offensive categories, including average, home runs, hits and multi-hit games, as well as multi-home run games during his career.
In May 1979, Haggerty graduated from Columbia College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business. During his academic career, Haggerty received several academic honors, and at graduation, he was selected Ivy Chain Commandant by his peer group. After graduation, Haggerty chose to further his education, earning a master’s degree in counseling and personnel services from the University of Missouri.
Like many Columbia College alumni, Haggerty has enjoyed a long career in the shopping center industry. Haggerty earned his Certified Shopping Center Manager designation, as recognized by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), in 1986. Haggerty has owned a real estate management company and is currently employed with CBRE, managing a portfolio of office, retail and industrial properties. He also is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Florida.
Haggerty has been active in youth sports, having coached baseball, basketball and football at different age levels. He also is active in his church’s youth group.
Haggerty is married to Melissa, and is blessed with two children: a son, Brendan and daughter, Kelly. He currently resides in Orlando, Fla.
Gregory LoganIn 1975, Gregory Logan was recruited by Columbia College men’s basketball coach Mike Jefferies to play for the Centaurs, now known as the Cougars. Logan enrolled at Columbia College as an art major, and the 6-foot-2-inch Hickman High School graduate played for the college from 1975 to 1978.
In the 1975-76 season, Logan was the recipient of the Columbia College Second Year Basketball Award. At one point during the 1976-77 season, Logan led the nation in rebounds and finished the year with a 22.3 point scoring average. Logan still holds the Columbia College record for the most rebounds in a game at 26 rebounds. Some highlights of Logan’s career include: being named Most Valuable Player of the Columbia College Basketball Team and Ozark Collegiate Conference Player of the Year, and receiving the Columbia College Outstanding Senior Athlete Award and the All Ozark Collegiate Conference Basketball Award.
Logan received Columbia College’s Grace Widdell Art Award for most improved newcomer in the 1975-76 academic year. While at Columbia College, Logan was inspired by his art professors, including Sidney Larson, Tom Watson and Ben Cameron. While in school, Logan, who was juggling playing basketball and being a husband, father and art student, was interviewed by Channel 8, who produced an on-air segment about Logan and his accomplishments.
After graduating from Columbia College, Logan worked at Hickman High School from 1979 to 2001 as a homeschool communicator. Logan has received the Youth Services Award for providing outstanding service to local youth, as well as the Outstanding Service Award from the Columbia Public Schools. In addition to working at Hickman High School, Logan worked part-time at Woodhaven Learning Center and Charter Hospital.
