Kemper Corporation (NYSE: KMPR) Kemper is pleased to announce that Donald G. Southwell, Kemper's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, was honored recently with the Distinguished Alumni Award by Western Michigan University (WMU) Alumni Association. Southwell will be one of the three 2014 recipients to be recognized at the Distinguished Alumni Awards Reception on Friday, Oct. 24.

Established in 1963, the Distinguished Alumni Awards honor and celebrate WMU alumni who bring distinction to their alma mater through professional achievements and who have achieved a high level of success in their careers.

Southwell earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from WMU in 1973 and was a member of Lee Honors College. He began his professional career working in the insurance industry as an actuary and progressed through several promotions before joining Kemper (formerly Unitrin, Inc.) in 1996. He was named President and Chief Executive Officer in 2006 and in 2010 was also named Chairman, positions that he continues to hold today.

In 2009, Southwell received the WMU Department of Mathematics Outstanding Alumni Award. He has been a member of the WMU President’s Society, a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, a Chartered Life Underwriter, and a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter.

"I am honored to receive this recognition from my alma mater," said Southwell. "My education provided a strong foundation for me to build my career, so I am proud to be a graduate of WMU."

In addition to leading Kemper, Southwell serves as a member of the Board of Directors for several organizations, including the Kemper Foundation, the Insurance Information Institute, the Property Casualty Insurers Institute of America and the Executive Club of Chicago. He is also a loyal supporter of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.

For more information about the nomination process or to learn about past recipients, please visit MyWMU.com/danomination and myWMU.com/da.

About Kemper

Kemper is a diversified insurance holding company with subsidiaries that provide an array of products to the individual and business markets:

  • Auto insurance
  • Homeowners insurance
  • Renters insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Health insurance

Kemper markets to its customers through a network of independent agents, brokers and career agents.

Additional information about Kemper is available by visiting kemper.com.