Kemper Awards

Every year the University of Kansas "Surprise Patrol" bestows good news and $7,500 checks on 10 professors as part of the annual Kemper Awards to recognize outstanding teachers and advisers at KU. The patrol was out again during the first week of classes in August to hand out the awards for 2011.

The recipients of the W.T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence are determined by a seven-member selection committee. Marking their 16th year in 2011 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.

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.

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.