September 28, 2021

Dear Alumni, 

Your Kemper Military School & College Alumni Association (KMSAA) has been hard at work building out the Museum and bringing it online for its grand opening this Friday, October 1, 2021. Additionally, as I type this report it feels a little surreal that this weekend has finally arrived and that all Kemper “Old Boys” will finally get to see what has been in development since early 2019.  As a reminder, it states in the KMSAA Bylaws, Article II, purpose 2., “To assure the legacy of Kemper lives on by building a museum”.  As you all recall this project had massive headwinds and it started right after the blank space was presented to the alumni in October of 2019.  In 2020 the pandemic hit, the entire world came to a halt and all production on the Museum stopped until late November of that year.  If that was not enough, and after gaining lots of momentum, there was a fire two doors down and all the archives had to be removed and the building remediated from the fire. This process took at least 4-5 months to complete as finding contractors in these times has been difficult.  I feel it is important to mention because the amount of work and the number of times the archives have been handled and moved is remarkable.  It has been a privilege to lead this TEAM through all the highs and lows and watch the KMS Museum pop out on the other side a better and stronger representation of the rich history we have all come to enjoy and expect.  Thank you to all who served and made this mission possible. 

In addition to the grand opening, your Board of Directors had their Board meeting on September 19th and approved the suggested Directors and Officers for two-year terms which are as follows: 

Election of Directors  

Officers 

President: James Hallam  

Vice President: Laura Gramlich 

Secretary/Treasurer: Mike Melhalf 

 Directors 

Johnny Kartsonis 

Mike Stepto

1844 Society Director

Mike Stepto  

Please help me congratulate the above positions as I know they will represent your Alumni Association with honor and duty. 

It is also important to recognize two Directors who are rolling off the board and who have served with distinction, Mr. Tim Casey and Mr. Jack Ryan.  It has been an honor and a privilege to serve alongside both of you and the Association wishes you the best. We know this is not goodbye, but merely thank you and we will see you soon!   

In summary, I want to personally welcome each and every one of you this weekend as we have a very special program for you all.  Be safe in your travels and look forward to enjoying the weekend with everyone! 

Go Team!  

James 

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