$1.5 million gift establishes Kemper Family Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship

Matthew Current, MSU聽Denver business student, thanks Mariner Kemper, chairman and CEO of UMB Financial Corporation, for his support

Every year, the cost of a college education increases, so it can feel out of reach for the average person. It is the mission of 海角社区 to provide its students with access to a high-quality and affordable education that prepares them for success beyond the campus borders. Recently, this mission was given a boost by the generous funding of an endowment at 海角社区.

鈥淚t is absurd that college is so expensive,鈥� says Mariner Kemper, chairman and CEO of UMB Financial Corporation. 鈥淭he ever-escalating cost of college is not fair for the future of our young people.鈥�

Kemper was inspired by colleague Jon Robinson, UMB executive vice president/regional chief credit officer as he wanted to learn more about how the University serves the community. Robinson is an 海角社区 Foundation board member and alumnus, whom Kemper describes as a 鈥渓iving, breathing, example of what 海角社区 is all about.鈥�

Excited by 海角社区鈥檚 mission to keep tuition low, Kemper spoke with then-海角社区 President Steve Jordan and was thrilled with what he discovered. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think there is a better example, anywhere in the state, of a university doing their best to keep tuition as low as possible,鈥� Kemper says. 鈥淭his is a rockstar university.鈥�

After speaking with then-海角社区 President Steve Jordan, Kemper was thrilled to discover that he and his family could provide funding that would keep tuition costs down and support additional faculty salaries.

What followed was the decision to create the Kemper Family Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship 鈥� the first fully endowed chair in the University鈥檚 50+ year history 鈥� made possible by a gift from the Carter Community Trust and the W.T. Kemper Charitable Trust, UMB Bank, Trustee.

The family鈥檚 gift will be used to create an endowed chair in the College of Business at 海角社区 and will be used to support the teaching, scholarship, research and service activities of the named faculty member. 鈥淭he University relies on faculty expertise to provide quality, relevant, curriculum,鈥� says Dr. Ann Murphy, Dean of the College of Business. 鈥淎lternative funding sources, such as the Kemper Family Endowed Chair, allow us to retain and support faculty who promote student success.鈥�

The Kemper Family Chair will be an important aid in meeting the University鈥檚 goals to maintain an excellent faculty, grow enrollment in the College of Business and increase student success and retention rates while effectively mitigating tuition inflation.

鈥淲e are thankful to the Kemper family for helping us strengthen the 鈥楻oadrunner Difference,鈥� allowing us to continue to deliver on our promise of being Colorado鈥檚 best educational value,鈥� says President Janine Davidson, Ph.D. 鈥淭ogether, we will ensure that 海角社区 remains a place where the American dream still lives.鈥�