KU profs surprised with awards

David Katzman, a 35-year veteran of Kansas University, received a bit of a surprise Thursday when Chancellor Robert Hemenway barged into his room.

“We apologize for interrupting the class,” Hemenway said.

A check for $5,000 honoring Katzman just couldn’t wait. Katzman was among six KU faculty to receive the Kemper Awards on Thursday. And there are 14 more to be honored in crash celebrations through Aug. 29.

The awards, now in the 10th year, recognize top teachers and advisors picked by a seven-member selection committee.

Katzman, professor and director of American Studies, gave a toothy grin.

“What a way to start a semester,” he told the class.

KU professor David Katzman, right, reacts to receiving one of the ,000 Kemper awards from Chancellor Robert Hemenway on Thursday. The unsuspecting professor received the award at the beginning of one of his classes at Nunemaker Hall.

Hemenway and others filled two Dodge Caravans and traveled around the campus.

In the 10 years of the program, $1 million has been distributed to faculty, Hemenway said.

“We think that’s a very good investment,” he said.

Other winners Thursday were:

¢ Stephen Egbert, associate professor of geography;

¢ Janet Hamburg, professor of music and dance;

¢ Chuck Marsh, associate professor of journalism;

¢ Jim Orr, professor of molecular biosciences and chairman of the Division of Biological Sciences;

¢ David Petr, professor of electrical engineering and computer science.