'Surprise Patrol' delivers Kemper Award to piano professor today; 1 more to go

LAWRENCE -- The "Surprise Patrol" stopped by a music department faculty meeting today to award Jack Winerock, professor of piano, a $5,000 Kemper Award for excellence in teaching and advising.

Nineteen University of Kansas professors have received 2003 Kemper Awards. In all, 20 professors will be honored and $100,000 will be distributed with Kemper Awards by Sept. 15. The W.T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence recognize outstanding teachers and advisers at KU as determined by a seven-member selection committee. Now in the eighth year of a 10-year program, the awards were established by a $500,000 fund from the William T. Kemper Foundation-Commerce Bank, Trustee, and $500,000 in matching funds from the KU Endowment Association.

Jack Winerock, music and dance

Jack Winerock, professor of piano, joined the KU faculty in 1973. His students primarily are juniors, seniors and graduate students from all over the globe. In addition to teaching at KU, Winerock performs and holds master classes internationally. He also has served on juries at several music competitions. In 2001, he served as jury president for the Second International Piano Competition in Paraguay.

Winerock's students praise his enthusiasm for and devotion to their individual needs. According to one of his colleagues, "His close attention to detail and meticulous preparation combine with genuine concern for each student's personal welfare and professional progress." Winerock says he tailors his teaching style to the personal and career goals of each student.

Winerock received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. In 1972, he completed his doctoral work at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

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