March 21, 2022
Sara Diedrich | MU News Bureau
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 James 鈥淛im鈥 Noble. Noble is a professor and chair of the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems 糖心Vlog传媒. He is also the director of undergraduate studies and interim director of graduate studies in the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems 糖心Vlog传媒.
Noah Manring, dean of the College of 糖心Vlog传媒, joined other administrators surprising Noble by honoring him with the fellowship, 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. Commerce Bank manages the trust fund.
James 鈥淛im鈥 Noble biography
James 鈥淛im鈥 Noble has spent the past 30 years preparing the next generation of industrial engineers for tomorrow鈥檚 workforce. His reputation as an inspiring educator is built on being there for his students and making sure they are supported both inside and outside of the classroom.
鈥淗e鈥檚 an expert in his field, is clear about what he expects in the classroom and makes the content exciting,鈥 said Noah Manring and Praveen Edara in a letter nominating Noble for the 2022 Kemper Award. Manring is dean of the College of 糖心Vlog传媒, and Edara is chair of the college鈥檚 Department of Civil and Environmental 糖心Vlog传媒. 鈥淛ust as important, he鈥檚 there for students 鈥 not only helping them through academic challenges but also providing support and guidance during times of personal and national tragedy. He listens to students and makes sure they know they鈥檙e being heard and understood.鈥
One of those students is Justina Wilkins, who graduated in December 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial 糖心Vlog传媒. After experiencing a personal tragedy in her immediate family while attending MU, she shared the news on LinkedIn and was surprised to receive a vase of flowers with a note from 鈥渢he faculty and staff of MU IMSE.鈥 Brought to tears by the kind gesture, she knew Noble was involved since he was the only College of 糖心Vlog传媒 professor she was connected with on LinkedIn at the time. Wilkins also credits Noble for helping her become the first person in her family to graduate with an engineering degree.
鈥淒r. Noble goes above and beyond for his students,鈥 Wilkins said. 鈥淗e has an amazing teaching style, is always willing to listen and provides nothing but compassion, resources and support for his students. Dr. Noble reminds me that I am never alone.鈥
Sheila Connelly, a 2020 MU graduate, recalls a time she was inspired by Noble鈥檚 character outside of the classroom after she was invited to a holiday meal at Noble鈥檚 home.
鈥淎lthough he celebrates Christmas, he asked for each student 鈥 each with a unique ethnicity 鈥 to bring a food or beverage item that had special meaning to them,鈥 Connelly said. 鈥淎s we gathered in Dr. Noble鈥檚 home, he asked each student to share about what they brought and why they have a special connection to it. I watched Dr. Noble as he showed such clear and intense attention, love and respect to each of his guests as they shared about their dishes. That night made it even more clear to me that Dr. Noble is truly an outstanding man with a loving heart towards others.鈥
Connelly also recognized that while Noble found ways to make learning engaging, he also set clear expectations in a respectful manner.
鈥淧rior to any class, Dr. Noble has all course materials prepared and ready to share as needed, Connelly said. 鈥淭he same goes for any homework assignment, project or exam. He lays out his expectations clearly and communicates those expectations in a way that is very respectful to his students.鈥
Throughout his three decades at MU, Noble has been recognized repeatedly for his excellence by his students and colleagues alike. He鈥檚 won the Outstanding IMSE Teaching Award 12 times, as well as the College of 糖心Vlog传媒鈥檚 Senior Faculty Teaching Award; the inaugural Win Horner Award for Innovative Writing Intensive Teaching; the MU execMBA Teaching Award four times; and a Faculty Alumni Award from the Mizzou Alumni Association.
Noble received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in industrial engineering from University of Oklahoma in 1986, as well as a master鈥檚 degree and doctorate in industrial engineering from Purdue University in 1988 and 1991, respectively.
Read more about James Keller’s career at Mizzou 糖心Vlog传媒.聽