Seminary Establishes Endowed Scholarship as Tribute to Margaret Kemper

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has established a permanently endowed scholarship for students pursuing music ministry in organ as a tribute to Margaret McElwain Kemper, a frequent recitalist and workshop presenter across the country and around the world. "The Margaret McElwain Kemper Scholarship will be a lasting tribute to Maggie Kemper's faithful music ministry and will perpetuate her love for the organ by enabling others to prepare for ministry in organ and sacred music," said Dr. Ron Anderson, the Ernest and Bernice Styberg Professor of Worship and director of the Nellie B. Ebsersole Program in Music Ministry at the seminary.

            Since 2005, when the organ concentration was established as part of Garrett-Evangelical's master's degree in music ministry, Kemper has provided leadership as teacher of organ and a two-semester course in organ literature, Anderson said, noting her significant role as mentor for seminary organ students.

            In addition to serving as an adjunct faculty member at Garrett-Evangelical, she is associate professor of music at Northwestern University and adjunct at The Music Institute of Chicago. She has been director of music and organist at Presbyterian Homes since 1994 and organist at Kenilworth Union Church since 2001. She also served on the National Council of the American Guild of organists for 16 years, including four years as president from 1994 to 1998.

"I am deeply honored that Garrett Evangelical has established the Kemper Music Ministry Scholarship," Kemper said. "It is my hope that this scholarship will be a continuing source of encouragement for prospective organ and church music students at the Seminary in the years to come."

            Kemper earned a bachelor of music at DePauw University and a master of music at Northwestern University, both in organ performance. She was a Fulbright scholar with Andre Marchal in Paris, and has studied with Marie-Claire Alain and Anton Heiller at the Academy for Organists in the Netherlands.
            For information about contributing to the Kemper endowed scholarship fund, contact David Heetland, vice president of development, at 847-866-3970 or [email protected]. For information about the music ministry degree and organ study at Garrett-Evangelical, contact Ron Anderson at 847-866-3875 or [email protected].

             Garrett-Evangelical, founded in 1853, is a graduate school of theology related to The United Methodist Church. Located on the campus of Northwestern University, the seminary serves more than 400 students from many denominations and various cultural backgrounds, fostering an atmosphere of ecumenical interaction. Garrett-Evangelical creates bold leaders through master of divinity, master of arts, master of theological studies, doctor of philosophy and doctor of ministry degrees. Its 4,500 living alumni serve church and society around the world.