KU School of Nursing professor receives Kemper Fellowship

Sep 23, 2009

In a surprise presentation on Sept. 16 at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Janet Pierce, RN, DSN, CCRN, professor of nursing and adjunct professor of molecular and integrative physiology, was presented with a $5,000 Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence.

The Kemper fellowships recognize outstanding teachers and advisers at KU and KU Medical Center as determined by a seven-member selection committee. Now in their 14th year, the awards are supported by $650,000 in gifts from the William T. Kemper Foundation (Commerce Bank, trustee) and $650,000 in matching funds from KU Endowment.

The William T. Kemper Foundation was established in 1989 after the death of the Kansas City, Mo., banking executive and civic leader. The foundation supports Midwest communities and concentrates on initiatives in education, health and human services, civic improvements and the arts.

“We are delighted that Dr. Pierce has been honored with the Kemper Award. Her excellence in teaching is well-known to students and faculty alike,” said Cynthia Teel, RN, PhD, associate dean for graduate programs. “Students consistently comment on how they appreciate Janet's enthusiastic teaching style and they're always amazed at the extent of her knowledge. She makes information accessible to students, and it's that ability that distinguishes her as a gifted teacher.”

Pierce obtained her BSN degree from the University of Oklahoma and both a master's degree and doctorate in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Pierce completeda postdoctoral fellowship at the Medical College of Virginia and joined the faculty of the School of Nursing in 1991. She continues to serve as a Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve along with her active KUMC career. She teaches classes at all levels in the KU School of Nursing and is an active collaborator with colleaguesin the Department of Physiology, maintaining an active and funded research program. Pierce is a previous recipient of several teaching recognitions, including the Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Classroom Teaching.