Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri; Latha Ramchand, MU provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs; and Steve Sowers, president and CEO of the central region of Commerce Bank, today awarded a 2022 William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence to Eric Parsons. Parsons is an associate teaching professor and director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Economics in the College of Arts & Science.

Parsons was surprised in class with the fellowship announcement, which includes a $15,000 check. 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 MU 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.