Daughters of Murray State University alumna Lois McClure Kemp establish endowed scholarship in her memory

MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State University has announced the establishment of the Lois McClure Kemp Memorial Scholarship Endowment in Family Consumer Sciences, funded by gifts to the Murray State University Foundation by her daughters Jana Kemp and Mary Kemp Murray, along with other family members and friends. The scholarship will assist undergraduate students majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences at Murray State. 

A native of Symsonia, Kentucky, Lois McClure Kemp devoted her professional life to education and home economics, beginning with her bachelor’s degree in home economics from Murray State College in 1957. During her time at Murray State, she won a national 4-H scholarship in clothing achievement and represented Kentucky at the National 4-H Conference. After graduating from Murray State, she began her career working for Madison County, Kentucky Extension. She went on to earn a master’s degree in early childhood development through a 4-H fellowship to the University of Maryland in 1963. 

She was especially proud of her decades working in Minnesota for Byerly’s (now Lunds & Byerlys) grocery stores, as a home economist for decades, retiring when she was 70. She helped write two Byerly’s cookbooks, created and tested countless recipes, and helped and educated customers about nutritious cooking. 

She firmly believed that women could achieve anything with a good education and a strong work ethic, and wherever she lived and worked, she encouraged other women to explore possibilities, pursue education in their interest areas, and work to accomplish their dreams. She also raised two entrepreneurial daughters, Jana and Mary, whom she talked with every day. 

Both successful businesswomen themselves, Jana and Mary wanted to honor their mother by creating a legacy that would keep her memory and spirit alive for years to come. Through this new scholarship, Lois McClure Kemp’s spirit will live on as her scholarship assists generations of Murray State students to pursue their education and achieve their dreams. 

Lois’s daughters shared this: “Mom was an incredibly smart woman with high standards of excellence which served us well as a role model, mentor, parent, and friend. We are delighted to honor Lois with this endowed scholarship for her beloved field of home economics/family and consumer sciences education at Murray State University.”

"We are so thankful for and excited about the Lois McClure Kemp Scholarship Endowment and what it means for Murray State Family and Consumer Sciences,” said Dr. Kelsey Chadwick, Murray State assistant professor for Family & Consumer Sciences. “This scholarship fund will provide many of our students majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences with essential financial resources to complete their education. The generosity of Mrs. Kemp's family will enable us to recruit and retain the best FCS students and help fill the critical shortage of FCS teachers, Extension agents, and professionals."

Other friends and family of Lois McClure Kemp who would like to join in memorializing her legacy are encouraged to contribute to the scholarship and help it assist even more students. 

Contributions to the scholarship fund can be made by contacting the Murray State University Office of Development at 270-809-3001 or by making a secure gift online at murraystate.edu/give.