KU News Release

Graduation stories: Senior to join FDIC after four years of KU service

Kalem Kopf

LAWRENCE — Kalem Kopf, who is about to graduate from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in finance, doesn’t have to worry about empty space on his resume — or finding a job.

The lifelong Lawrence native is about to move to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to become a financial institution specialist with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. He is the first in his immediate family to graduate with a four-year degree and is leaving KU with a long list of academic and extracurricular achievements.

Along with his 3.96 grade-point average and slew of scholarships and honors, he has presided over the Society for Human Resource Management, helped manage a million-dollar investment portfolio for KU Endowment and was one of the first people invited to join the university’s Finance Scholars Program.

Add to that involvement in Finance Club, Marketing Club, the Dole Institute of Politics Student Advisory Board, the Youth Civic Leadership Institute, Lambda Sigma Sophomore Honor Society, the Spencer Museum of Art, Mortor Board Senior Honor Society ... the list goes on and on.

And don’t forget about the two years he spent seating customers and waiting tables at Applebee’s.

“I’m just really gratified by my education at KU,” said Kopf, whose mother and sister are current undergraduates. “I’ve had so many close relationships with professors and my education has opened up a lot of doors.”

He said two of the most beneficial activities for his career have been his involvement in the Applied Portfolio Management Program, a class that managed an investment portfolio for KU Endowment, and his participation with the Finance Scholars Program. That program has held networking and other events in major cities including New York, Chicago and Dallas.

“It’s really beneficial, especially in this economy, for a university to have these kinds of events that will help you find a job,” he said.

Kopf is the son of Keith and Rose Kopf and a graduate of Lawrence Free State High School. When he’s not studying, volunteering, working to support his education or packing for Florida, he enjoys photography and running.

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