Every spring since 1991, outstanding teachers at MU have been recognized with the William T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence.

This year, five teachers were recognized: John Bennett, associate teaching professor of marketing; Ann Harrell, associate professor of voice; Jeff Krug, assistant teaching professor of physical therapy; Leigh Neier, assistant teaching professor of teaching, learning and curriculum; and Bryon Wiegand, associate professor of meat science. They were all surprised with the award in their classrooms in front of their students.

“Honestly, I felt like I might pass out when Chancellor (R. Bowen) Loftin walked into a voice lesson in my office,” Harrell said. “I felt tremendous joy and a sense of being incredibly fortunate to have work that I love that was being rewarded.”

The five professors were also awarded with $10,000 to spend as they wish. Some of them had ideas of how they wanted to spend the prize money, but some of their family members had other ideas.

“My 14-year-old, Sophie, greeted me that night with ‘Congrats, Daddy. Can we go to Disney World?’” Krug said. “Other than donating some to church and addressing a couple house needs, we haven’t planned anything.”

The award recipients also enjoyed the recognition from their students and fellow professors.

“I have not even given a thought to the money,” Neier said. “The honor itself far outweighs the generous award that Mr. Kemper included with the fellowship. To have my name mentioned aside the best of the best at MU is so breathtaking.”

Neier said being grouped with the other recipients was humbling and the greatest honor she could imagine.

She said recognition of exceptional teaching reinforced how much she enjoys and wants to teach.

“My best advice to anyone considering entering the teaching profession, whether in higher education or at the K-12 level, the student-teacher relationship is one of the most important relationships we will ever know,” Neier said.

She said she believes a teacher should take every opportunity available to help students.

“Taking a moment to realize the true, lifelong impact is something I remind myself every day,” Neier said. “As a teacher or coach, jump in when you see an opportunity to help someone take next steps toward their success and thank that person for letting you join them for the ride.”