Who Makes a Strong Kemper Scholars Candidate?
Revised, November 2014
Like the Foundation’s founder, the Trustees of the James S. Kemper Foundation believe that a
liberal arts education is the best preparation for life and a career, including careers in
organizational leadership and business. Too often, students prematurely select a vocational
major thinking it the best road to a professional career. Others study the liberal arts but believe
that having a position of leadership in a corporation or not-for-profit organization is not feasible
for them or not worthwhile. The Kemper Scholars Program encourages students to major in the
liberal arts and sciences, while providing them experiential education, mentoring, contacts, and
training to position them for careers helping to lead organizations. Because of its historic
connection to the insurance industry and the original mission of the Foundation, the Kemper
Scholars Program employs internships in the insurance industry as a way for students to explore
careers in managerial leadership.
Kemper Scholar Profile
Academic Standing, Achievement and Potential. We think it is important for students to be in
the Kemper Scholars Program for the three years it is designed to last. Therefore, applicants for
the Kemper Scholars Program must have freshman standing at the time of application. Students
who have transferred in sufficient credits from other schools or AP courses, for example, to be
classified as sophomores even though they are in their first year are not eligible to apply, even if
they attest that they plan to remain in college for four years. While a 3.00 grade point average is
the minimum requirement, most Kemper Scholars graduate with a 3.50 or better. Students who
achieve less than a semester or cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for two semesters will be
dropped from the program.
Academic Major. Scholars may major in any liberal arts field or in business-related fields like
business or accounting, but students from other professionally-oriented majors such as nursing,
social work, some science fields or education which have their own field work, summer research
or internship requirements will not be selected. Whatever their major, successful candidates will
be broadly interested and intellectually curious about many fields of study. While they might not
now think it is an appropriate career choice for them, students who feel negative about a
potential career in the corporate world and specifically the insurance industry will not get the
full benefit of the program and should not apply.
It has been a misapprehension of some potential applicants that they must be business majors
or that business majors are preferred. As noted above, the goal of the program is to introduce
liberally educated students to how professional organizations, especially those related to the
insurance industry, operate and to show them how the skills they have acquired through the
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study of the liberal arts prepare them to succeed in the management and leadership of such
organizations. Except as noted above, the Foundation does not prefer students from some
majors to others, and in building a “class” we seek a diversity of major areas of study among the
Kemper Scholars. Kemper Scholars must complete an internship in the insurance industry
during their time as a Kemper Scholar whatever their major.
Having the post-sophomore and post-junior summer completely free to participate in
internships is absolutely required. Therefore, as noted above, students in majors requiring that
they use those summers for research or major-related internships should not apply. Kemper
Scholars Program internships will be focused on organizational management broadly construed.
The Kemper Scholars Program does not support internships related to developing specific career
skills (e.g., psychological counseling, acting, instrumental performance).
Likewise, students hoping to study abroad for a full year or in the spring in a program (like those
at Oxford and Cambridge universities, for example) which does not complete its term until midor late-June should not apply unless they are willing to alter such plans. Kemper Scholars must
have available at least ten weeks plus time for travel to their internship site between the end of
the spring semester and the fall semester after both their sophomore and junior years.
Internships normally begin the first business day of June.
Career Plans. Keeping the concerns mentioned above in mind, Kemper Scholars may be
considering any career area. The Foundation especially encourages students who do not know
what they want to do as a career to apply; the Kemper Scholars Program seeks to help
participants explore and refine their career plans. Part of the mission of the Kemper Scholars
Program is to introduce scholars to the insurance industry as a possible career choice.
Leadership in School and Community. Kemper Scholars will demonstrate a capacity for
leadership, demonstrated by their activities and involvements both in high school and in college.
Commitment to Citizenship and Service. Service is an underlying principle of leadership.
Prospective candidates must display a commitment to helping others and serving society. A
record of community service activity in high school or college is important.
Interest in Organizational Leadership and Business. The program aims to prepare broadlyeducated leaders for corporate and not-for-profit organizations. Because all Kemper Scholars
will have internship placements in administrative areas of professional organizations, they must
have a genuine interest in exploring such a career. They must be open and willing to explore the
possibility of a career in the insurance industry with its wide range of skill and interest areas
including planning, marketing, finance, systems analysis, accounting, human resources,
information technology, communications, web design, underwriting, research, process
improvement, investments, and disaster planning. The Kemper Scholars Program may not be a
good choice for students who are convinced that they want careers in fields like laboratory
research, medicine, acting, or music performance.
Intellectual Curiosity and Independence. The program will be most satisfying to students who
are eager to learn new things and can relate their experiences to academic preparation or
career aspirations.
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Openness to Being Mentored. While applicants to the Kemper Scholars Program often focus on
the scholarship stipend or the paid internship experiences as most important, participants soon
see that the program’s impact comes largely from two other aspects: (1) the interaction with
and peer learning from the other Kemper Scholars and (2) the structured activities and
mentoring by program staff and work supervisors. Since the program gives neither college credit
nor grades, the Foundation’s staff has little besides scholars’ trust and their openness to being
mentored to encourage their full participation. Kemper Scholars must be willing to engage fully
in program activities, to reflect upon and talk with staff about their personal goals and
development, and to openly consider mentors’ advice.
Unusual Maturity, Openness and Flexibility. In the summer, Kemper Scholars will live and work
as independent adults. They will need to relate well to adults in the workplace, to adjust to
unexpected events, and to make wise decisions about life away from work. Kemper Scholars will
become part of a very diverse group and must be open to and accepting of fellow Kemper
Scholars with differences in economic background, politics, religion, ethnicity, culture, interests,
and sexual orientation.
Need and Opportunity. For many participants, the Kemper Scholars Program provides their first
chance to work alongside adult professionals, to live independently away from home, and to
test out a professional career. For such students the program often has the greatest value and
makes the greatest impact. While they are not the primary criteria, personal background and
financial need may be considered in the selection process.
Diversity. The Kemper Foundation seeks to recruit Scholars from diverse academic majors and
from diverse economic, ethnic and geographical backgrounds. We seek also to achieve a group
balanced, preferably equally, between male and female participants.
Parental Support. Kemper Scholars must have parental permission for their participation and
parental willingness to have students travel to Chicago for meetings and be away from home for
the summer internships. Prospective Kemper Scholars are responsible to ensure before applying
that their parent(s) or guardian(s) will be comfortable with their living and working away from
home for the summers after their sophomore and junior years. The internships are an
indispensable part of the Kemper Scholars Program.
Parents or guardians should understand that the Kemper Scholars Program is designed to help
students grow into independent, confident, competent, and assertive professionals. To help
accomplish this, staff members deal directly with students and do not deal with parents or
guardians in matters related to the program except in unusual circumstances.
Social Security Number. Applicants must possess a valid United States Government Social
Security number at the time of application. Assuming the full social security number is on file at
the applicant’s school, only the last four digits will be shared with Foundation staff on the
application. Like all other personal information, these digits will be kept secure and confidential.
If the social security number is not on file with the institution, a notarized statement (including
the final four digits) from a notary who has seen the social security card must be included with
the application.