KU News Release

Kemper fellowships handed out to four more KU professors

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas “surprise patrol” today handed out more $5,000 Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence to four unsuspecting professors.

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 are Victoria Corbin, associate professor of molecular biosciences; Paul Johnson, professor of political science; Krzysztof Kuczera, professor of chemistry; and Ellen Sward, professor of law.

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:

Victoria Corbin, associate professor of molecular biosciences
A large part of Victoria Corbin’s time is spent with students in the lab. “The most effective way for students to learn biology is to experience firsthand, the thrills, disappointments and challenges of conducting research that has no predetermined outcome,” Corbin said. In her six years at KU, Corbin has trained many undergraduate researchers who have gone on to world-famous research institutions. One student, who now attends the Rockefeller University, said of Corbin, “I have opportunities to meet with every guest lecturer, including Nobel laureates, Lasker Award winners and national Academy of Science members. I feel confident in meeting with and speaking to these giants because professors at KU, especially Dr. Corbin, taught me to believe in myself as a young scientist.”

Paul Johnson, professor of political science
After two decades at KU, Paul Johnson is still learning new ways to teach. “The cutting edge is always ahead of me,” Johnson said. “I have to keep learning to use new tools. Although it might be more relaxing to keep teaching the statistical ideas that were popular in 1988, it is not responsible to do so.” Johnson’s enthusiasm is among the many reasons his colleagues nominated him for this year’s Kemper fellowships. Elaine Sharp, chair of the political science department, said of Johnson, “I have never seen any faculty member devote as much time to as many different students as Professor Johnson does. And because my office is adjacent to his and to the computer lab, I can attest to the fact that his consultations with students are empowering for them.”

Krzysztof Kuczera, professor of chemistry
Now in his 15th year at KU, Krzysztof Kuczera’s classroom teaching has ranged from introductory undergraduate courses in physical chemistry to advanced graduate courses in molecular modeling, theoretical chemistry and biophysical methods. He has succeeded in creating courses that are both accessible and enjoyable for his students without sacrificing the depth, breadth and rigor of physical chemistry. Despite the fact that he teaches what many consider to be a traditionally difficult subject, Kuczera consistently receives above average ratings from his students. A few of their comments include: “One of my favorite professors ever” and “Thank you, professor for making a difficult class enjoyable.”

Ellen Sward, professor of law
It’s not unusual to see Ellen Sward dining with her students. She regularly schedules informal lunches with small groups of students as a way to advise and mentor them. In her 23 years at KU, Sward has influenced the lives of countless students, and many of them continue to stay in touch with her throughout their careers. Her students fondly report a lasting effect of the lessons learned in her classes. One student said that “some of the most challenging and educational discussions in law school took place in her Federal Courts classroom.” Another student said the one-on-one sessions Sward provided were invaluable and encouraged him to accept a student teacher position at the law school and to consider becoming a law professor in the future.

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