Contact: Eric Stann, StannE@missouri.edu

Matthew Martens, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Missouri, and Sarah Dubbert, president of Commerce Bank’s Missouri community markets, awarded a 2025 William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence to Julie Passanante Elman today. Elman is an associate professor in Mizzou’s College of Arts and Science. She is also founding director of the university’s Center for the Humanities and founding director of the Program in Health Humanities.

Cooper Drury, dean of the College of Arts and Science, joined other leaders in surprising Elman by honoring her with the fellowship, which includes a $15,000 stipend. Kemper Fellowships are awarded to five outstanding teachers at the University of Missouri each year.

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.