MEDIA ADVISORY: University of Missouri to announce 2026 Kemper Awards

March 11, 2026
Contact: Eric Stann, [email protected]

WHAT:

Each year, five outstanding teachers at the University of Missouri are selected as Kemper Fellows - a peer-nominated award that includes a $15,000 stipend. University administrators and executives from Commerce Bank will surprise the honorees next week.

The William T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence were established in 1991 with a $500,000 gift. Kemper, a 1926 Mizzou graduate, was a well-known civic leader in Kansas City until his death in 1989. His 52-year career in banking included top positions at banks in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. Commerce Bank manages the trust fund.

WHEN AND WHERE:

Tuesday, March 17

First Kemper Award recipient
When: 12:30 p.m.
Where: Media can meet in the rotunda of Jesse Hall at 12:15 p.m.

Second Kemper Award recipient
When: 2:30 p.m.
Where: Media can meet in the rotunda of Jesse Hall at 2:15 p.m.

Wednesday, March 18

Third Kemper Award recipient
When: 11 a.m.
Where: Media can meet in the rotunda of Jesse Hall at 10:45 a.m.

Fourth Kemper Award recipient
When: 12 p.m.
Where: Media can meet in the rotunda of Jesse Hall at 11:45 a.m.

Fifth Kemper Award recipient
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Media can meet in the rotunda of Jesse Hall at 12:45 p.m.

Note:

The award is a surprise to the recipients. Therefore, their names and their classroom locations will not be revealed until the time of the presentation.

Media interested in covering any or all the surprise presentations should RSVP by Monday, March 16 to Eric Stann at [email protected]. He will notify the registered attendees if times or locations change.