Kemp Gift Supports Course in Capitalism and Global Supply Chains

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Wes and Sharon Kemp.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A gift of $100,000 from Wes and Sharon Kemp will support the Capitalism and Global Supply Chains course in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.

The course acquaints students with the principles and ethics of free market capitalism and explores individual rights and the role of government. Students study Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged and the Free to Choose video series by economists Milton and Rose D. Friedman, among other materials.

“I thank the Kemps for their outstanding support of this course at the Walton College,” said Eli Jones, Walton dean. “I would also like to thank Wes for his continued support of Walton as executive-in-residence in supply chain management, sharing his years of expertise and experience with our students.” Wes Kemp retired as president and chief executive officer of ABF Freight System Inc. on Jan. 1, 2012.

“Wes Kemp’s 42 years of experience at ABF Freight System Inc., which culminated as president and CEO, provides a plethora of examples that are useful in the classroom,” said Matthew A. Waller, chair of the supply chain management department. “Wes is student-centered, and his student evaluations are stellar.”

The Kemps’ gift will be used to pay an instructor, purchase books and materials, hire guest speakers and cover travel and other expenses. In the past, the class has featured distinguished speakers such as Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute; Don Watkins, a fellow at the Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights and columnist for Forbes.com; and Robert Chitester, founder of the Free To Choose network; as well as prominent Walton College alumni Curt Bradbury, chief operating officer of Stephens Inc., and Ruben Martin, chief executive officer of Martin Midstream Partners.