N. Kemp Maer, Sr. Endowed Excellence Fund in Physics

Jun 28, 2007 | Excellence Funds & Program Support

The N. Kemp Maer, Sr. Endowed Excellence Fund in Physics was established by the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System on June 28, 2007, to benefit the University of Texas College of Natural Sciences. The endowment honors Mr. Newton Kemp Maer. Gift funds were provided by Dr. N. Kemp Maer, Jr.

Dr. N. Kemp Maer, Jr.

Even though his father was an attorney, Dr. N. Kemp Maer, Jr. had a strong interest in physics growing up. He had a set of books at home called “The Book of Popular Science” that published an annual supplement with the latest developments in science. Kemp Jr. can distinctly recall eagerly awaiting these supplements and, when they arrived, reading the physics articles and discussing them with Kemp Sr. Out of these readings and discussions came a desire for Kemp Jr. to major in physics, and an awareness of the interesting facets of the field that carried him through the “rather mundane introductory courses” in physics and into the interesting and challenging ones. Without that awareness, for which he has his father to thank, Kemp Jr. is not sure he would have stayed in the field of physics.

It is for this that he honors his father with the N. Kemp Maer, Sr. Endowed Excellence Fund in Physics. Kemp Maer, Jr. was a student at The University of Texas from 1959 through 1968, apart from a year of graduate work in space science at Rice, obtaining BS, MA, and PhD degrees in physics. He worked for the Exxon Production Research Company for 30 years, retiring in 1998. After five years of consulting for various affiliates of Exxon and Exxon Mobil, he retired completely and spent his time volunteering for two non-profits and pursuing interests in physics, astrophysics, geology, and poetry. Dr. N. Kemp Maer, Jr. gained much from his education and employment, and, after retiring, he has the means, the time, and the opportunity to give something back to the community through donations and volunteer work.

Latest Stories

How to Give

Learn more at giving.utexas.edu

Search Endowments

Look for inspiring stories