KU News Release

Seven KU professors surprised today with Kemper fellowships

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LAWRENCE — Seven University of Kansas professors began the school year with some added excitement when a “surprise patrol” led by Chancellor Robert Hemenway and Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Richard Lariviere presented them with $5,000 W.T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence.

The Kemper fellowships recognize outstanding teachers and advisers at KU as determined by a seven-member selection committee. Now in their 12th year, the awards are supported by $650,000 in gifts from the William T. Kemper Foundation (Commerce Bank, trustee) and $650,000 in matching funds from KU Endowment.

Today’s winners were: David Bergeron, professor of English; Marsha Haufler, professor of history of art; Patricia Hawley, assistant professor of psychology; Mark Mort, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; Lee Skinner, associate professor of Spanish and Portuguese; Bryan C. Young, associate professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering; and Yan Bing Zhang, assistant professor of communication studies.

In all, 20 professors will be honored and $100,000 distributed this year as part of the Kemper tradition. Presentations for Lawrence campus faculty members will continue through Thursday, Aug. 23. Four professors at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., will also be honored.

The William T. Kemper Foundation was established in 1989 after the death of the Kansas City, Mo., banking executive and civic leader. The foundation supports Midwest communities and concentrates on initiatives in education, health and human services, civic improvements and the arts.

More about today’s winners:

David Bergeron, professor of English
Over the past three decades, David Bergeron has earned a reputation as one of the English department’s most demanding professors. Despite that reputation, students flock to his classes. Dorice Elliott, chair of the department, said that’s because students know Bergeron is equally demanding of himself. “He is especially known for his high standards for student work, and he puts in many hours reading assignments and papers and writing meticulous comments that push students to achieve more intellectually and write more effectively,” Elliott said. “Students who earn an A in his courses know that they’ve really achieved something, and those who don’t earn an A know that they’ve learned and improved.”

Marsha Haufler, professor of history of art
Marsha Haufler came to KU in 1991 to lead the largest graduate program in Chinese art history in the United States. Her expertise has gained her an international reputation, not only for her scholarship but also for the first-rate doctoral students she has mentored. Graduate students have come from China, Taiwan, Korea and all regions of the United States to study with her. She encourages her diverse student body to share with and learn from one another. “I urge them to trade language skills and knowledge; English for Chinese; a new theory for insight into an ancient text,” Haufler said.

Patricia Hawley, assistant professor of psychology
As a teacher, Patricia Hawley never stops learning. Her teaching methods and courses are in a constant state of evolution. She creatively solves problems associated with small vs. large classes, changing standards according to the expectations of students and what she learns in the course of teaching each semester. A colleague who nominated her said, “I believe that Dr. Hawley embodies the spirit of the Kemper fellowship in all of her teaching and advising activities. She is very popular with students, and that popularity goes hand in hand with work that is challenging, innovative, creative and demanding of critical thinking.”

Mark Mort, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology
Throughout his six years at KU, Mark Mort has earned a reputation among students as an entertaining and effective lecturer. Comments from former students include, “I loved Dr. Mort. He was the best teacher I’ve ever had. He was fun, energetic and crazy.” Mort continues to grow as an educator and a lecturer by listening closely to what others say about him. “I have relied heavily on previous experiences to improve my teaching effectiveness,” he said. “I value the feedback that I have been provided through student course evaluations, anonymous student input during the course and peer teaching evaluations.”

Lee Skinner, associate professor of Spanish and Portuguese
Whether she is teaching an entry-level language class or advising a doctoral student, Lee Skinner does it with equal amounts of dedication and enthusiasm. Her colleagues describe her as the ultimate team player, willing to take on any task for the betterment of the department and its students. According to Vicky Unruh, chair of the Spanish and Portuguese department, “Her versatility bears repeating, because it exemplifies not only the intellectual breadth to which she exposes KU students but also her outstanding citizenship in contributing to the multi-faceted challenges of our department’s teaching mission.”

Bryan C. Young, associate professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering
Bryan Young is described by his department chair Tom Mulinazzi as a “teacher’s teacher,” not only for his dedication to teaching but also for the extra things he does for the department. One colleague said, “Bryan is one of my team players. Whenever a potential student is visiting our department, Bryan is always willing to speak with the students and the parents.” Another colleague praised Young’s effectiveness as a teacher. “He is approachable and always available to students and faculty alike. He is an excellent communicator in class and in personal consultation.”

Yan Bing Zhang, assistant professor of communication studies
In her four years at KU, Yan Bing Zhang has earned the respect of her fellow professors, seven of whom are former Kemper fellowship winners. One colleague said, “Dr. Zhang not only challenges students to learn about theory and methods but to learn how to build theory and apply methods. In doing so, she has served as a strong mentor for her students.” That praise is seconded by her students, one of whom said of Zhang, “Her influence has made my experience at KU especially meaningful. Her knowledge, intelligence, professionalism and devotion to her profession all contribute to make her who she is. I cannot find better words than ‘a great mentor’ to describer her.”

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