Gregory Kemper '99

Gregory Kemper '99 is the creative director for the Office of Marketing and Media Relations at La Roche University.

How did your education prepare you for your current position as a creative director?

La Roche not only gave me the design skills to jump in and be a graphic designer, but it helped to build me personally. Building positive relationships with people is key, and La Roche taught me how to handle situations in the real world.

I’ll never forget one of the many things my favorite professor, George Founds, taught me: that when someone doesn’t care for your work, they’ll criticize it, but they’re not criticizing you as a person. So, there’s no need to take it personal. It’s just a part of life.

How did a degree from La Roche help you advance your career?

I was meant to work at La Roche. I really mean this – I’ve been working here for the past 15 years! I started out as an intern, then designer, then art director and now creative director, but it wasn’t planned that way. It just seemed to happen through hard work, dedication and perseverance.

La Roche taught me to have an open mind, to always develop personal and career goals, and to pursue professional development. I’ve seen so many changes in the design field in the last 15 years, and I’ve been able to roll with them, albeit stubbornly at times.

Because I’ve worked here for so long, I’ve seen so much growth and development in myself and in the University. But I also have to tip my hat to fellow alumni of La Roche. I’ve worked with many alumni in this department, and the spirit and drive they have is calculated and contagious.

Why did you choose La Roche?

I looked at La Roche and a few other schools after I graduated from high school. I knew I needed to exist in the creative world, being an art and music geek. La Roche was highly recommended by my high school guidance counselor.

I actually landed at a large out-of-state school before coming to La Roche. But after a few semesters there, I knew that the school was just too big for me, and I came back home to Butler, Pa.

I questioned myself, not knowing exactly what to do next, so I enrolled at Butler County Community College. I breezed through it, completing all of my core classes. But as I did that, I also got to focus on my second passion: music.

I knew my main drive was to pursue graphic design, and La Roche was still fresh in my mind as a great option. La Roche has the reputation for being a top-quality design school, and it’s a very personable community – one that I learned would fit nicely for me.

I knew I could transfer my credits and get right down to honing my graphic design skills. My path to higher education took a few detours before I landed at La Roche, but once I finally got my feet on the ground, I knew I was meant to be here.

What impact did La Roche have on you as a person?

I grew up at La Roche. I learned a lot about myself and what the value of hard work and passion means. I learned what it means to fail, to get up, to try harder and to go the long route instead of taking the short-cut. I learned that the journey was just as important as the end result. I also learned to be more selfless, to mentor others and work as a team – which my wife and I do every day managing our three children!

Are you involved in any volunteer service projects now?

If making loud music in a bombastic rock band qualifies, then sure! Actually, upon graduating from La Roche, I’ve since moved to Pittsburgh from Butler. It was one of the best moves I ever made. The wealth of talent in this city is tremendous.

I formed the rock band Supervoid in 2012, and we’re still going strong. Our new record album comes out this fall. From artists to musicians, Pittsburgh is an amazing city. Had I not moved here, I never would have met so many artists and friends.

What are you most proud of when you look back on your La Roche experience?

I remember the feeling once I graduated: the sense of accomplishment and wonder. It’s something I’ll always cherish and never forget. I can remember a couple of friends who didn’t finish College but were very intelligent (in other words, smarter than me) congratulating me. That felt pretty good too.

What advice do you have for our students?

You’re probably not going to land your dream job as a recent graduate, but you can make your own dream job – whether it be stumbling up and down the ladder, taking hold as a worker bee, or just being yourself and letting the world take you where it leads you.

After you graduate, you might not find your place in the real world right away. You might think it’ll never happen, but you can make it happen with hard work, perseverance and a positive attitude.

What is your favorite memory of being a La Roche student?

This is a moment that was both embarrassing and a favorite:

During my senior year, the annual Positive Space art show took place. I didn’t enter my work the previous years because I didn’t think I was ready. That year I gained enough confidence and encouragement to enter a lot of pieces.

Before the show on the night of the event, I made dinner plans with my then-girlfriend and future wife. After dinner, we arrived at campus promptly, as I was sure the show started at 7 p.m.

We walked down the hallway near the Cantellops Art Gallery – toward an angry mob! Many of my classmates were scowling at me because the show started at 6 p.m., and it was practically over, but others were like, “Get in there now!” As it turned out, I won Best of Show and a bunch of other awards, but I missed the announcement! Sadly, ingraining dates and times into my memory is something I never perfected in college or even to this day.

Please describe an experience with a faculty or staff member who made a strong, positive impact on you.

If I had to pick one little moment, it was the one day before design class. Professor Founds took me aside and said in an unusually quiet and candid tone, “Hey, you’re doing great stuff.”

I was floored because I knew his reputation of being a demanding, coarse, curmudgeon of a professor. It was always those little things about my La Roche experience – like what a small word of encouragement can do – that made a huge difference for me.