Jeff Moran, GBS Class of 2022

Kembrel Jones was a superhero who took education and helping others to the next level. Kembrel Jones helped me repeatedly as Dean while I was a B-school student over 20 years ago and as recently as a few years ago as a private person when I was repatriating back to the US and sought his perspective. His hit rate was 100%, every time I asked for his help, he delivered full attention and genuine concern. I invite others to give if they care to honor Kembrel's all-in servant-leadership style as well.

Paulo Macedo, GBS Class of 2002

What a spectacular human being, educator, leader and more importantly, friend.

Annie Mueller Erstling, Goizueta Class of 2003

Kembrel Jones (Dean of Happiness) at Emory University - Goizueta Business School changed my life in 2001! I had just lost my mother to cancer and was struggling with the decision on whether and what business school was right for me. He restored my sense of optimism and made the decision to choose Emory a no-brainer. There are a handful of people that you encounter in a lifetime that like Kembrel, make the world a bright shiny ball of possibility. I can’t think of a better way to honor him than with a scholarship in his name. GBS Class of ‘03… best class ever!

Patrick S. Noonan, Goizueta Business School

When I stepped down as dean of the MBA programs, Kembrel - older and more experienced than his peers, with a doctorate in education already in hand, and having first-hand experience with the school and its programs - was chosen as my successor. It was during that time that the school finally reached the recognition in the b-school rankings that we all had been striving for. Kembrel later left to play a similar leadership role at Wharton. Passionate, determined, always striving, unforgettable.

Jennifer MacMillan, Goizueta Business School

My heart is broken. Kembrel was such a kind friend to me, encouraging me to pursue dreams I had no business going after, and helping me learn that life doesn't actually have many limits. 

When I think of grad school, I think of Kembrel. What a gift he was to so many of us with big dreams and false boundaries. 

I'll miss him and his wisdom forever. My love to his closest friends and family. What a gift God gave us for a bit. Hugs to you Kembrel, and thanks for teaching me that those boundaries were only in my head.

Jim Langcuster, University of North Alabama

I have tried to make it a point to honor the lives of people who have left behind a deep footprint. Kembrel Jones was one of the most outstanding graduates ever produced by my alma mater. 

He went on to earn Emory and Harvard degrees and capped off his career as Vice Dean of the Wharton School of Business. He was interviewed by a number of publications over the course of his career - Bloomberg and Financial Times, to name only a couple. 

I was just sharing last week with my wife and oldest daughter that Kem was a genius - a networking genius. He developed a truly remarkable set of skills in an age when networking truly became the medium of success and high achievement. 

It's a tragedy to learn that someone so talented and still relatively young has left us. And think I speak literally for thousands around this country and the world who would acknowledge that Kem left a deep and indelible impression on them. We all give and take in the course of our lives, but Kem was one of those truly rare individuals who gave far, far more than he took.

John Kinsey, Goizueta Business School

As an Emory (GBS) alum from the class of 2006, I can barely remember how to prepare a discounted cash flow valuation, use Bayes theorem, or run a regression analysis. But I will always remember Kembrel telling us about proper business attire and grooming standards. 

Finally, he always stressed the importance of smiling and being able to stand in front of a group for a presentation and not wiggle, sway, or make odd gestures. That and the implementation of the occasional pause to build a sense of drama. 

Kembrel knew the importance of the standard MBA classes and he knew that we would all get the finance, accounting, economics, marketing, statistics, etc...(aka: the boring stuff) that we needed by simply attending schools like Emory and Wharton. But he also knew the importance of establishing your personal brand and that is what he consistently taught 1000's of students over the years to develop with style.

I haven't seen him in 16 years but every damn time I walk into a clothing shop, I find myself channeling my inner Kembrel!

The world is a better place because of Kembrel Jones. 

He was a talented leader, a tireless worker, and a fierce advocate for his students and schools. 

He was a teacher, a mentor, a friend. 

Most importantly, he was a compassionate human and kind soul whose infectious joy will shine through all those he touched. 

I am proud to be part of this fundraising effort and to carry on his legacy of passionate kindness and inclusiveness.

-John Curtin 02B

There are your parents… then there are the handful of people outside of family that God puts in your life that have a profound impact on it. Kem Jones was one of those God given gifts for me. 

I’ve read many tributes that say that when Kem talked to you, it felt like you were the only person on Earth. This could not be a more accurate description. This was a God given talent that only a chosen few have… and he HAD it. If you needed a pick me up in college… you went to Kem and you came away feeling like Superman! 

As a very insecure college student, he saw in me something I was incapable of seeing… and then he brought it out in me… without me even realizing it… until years later. I know it may sound cliche…but I can, without a doubt, say I would not be where I am today without Kem.

It’s been a long time since someone’s passing hit me this hard. I’m still in denial. I’m still thinking that we’ll meet for lunch where I can regale him with my accomplishments and make him proud and tell him that they would not have been possible without his “cheering” (his perfect terminology) me on.

I already miss you Kem. Thank you!

-Jeff Nelson, University of North Alabama

I fondly remember all the times sitting in his office discussing life, family, school, and whatever cool tie he was wearing that day. It was his energy, passion, and vision that sold me on Goizueta. The greatest legacy anyone can leave behind is to positively impact the lives of others. Kembrel’s profound impact on the Goizueta and Wharton communities will be felt forever. #GoGoizueta #BestClassEver

-Todd Robinson, Goizueta Business School

My heart broke when I heard this news. Dr. Kembrel Jones, but to me and many of my classmates, he was “Kem”, made an impact that cannot adequately be put into words. He was a mentor, friend, leader and always the gold standard of what we were shooting for. If Kem approved, then it must be the right thing to do or right way to do it.  

He went off to Harvard and then came back and taught us UNA kids how to be classy. I think he would chuckle if he could read that sentence, and I can imagine him saying something like “Suzanne, if you have to tell people that you are classy, then you aren’t”. 

But in all seriousness, he was there for us. He encouraged us, picked us up when we needed a pep talk, and helped us find our own true path. The life lessons that I learned from him are numerous and are still with me today. I am thankful that our paths crossed, and I am a better person because of him. I will never EVER forget those wonderful years at UNA . You will be missed, my dear friend.

-Suzanne Yeager Boyd, University of North Alabama

I had been looking forward to reunion this year in Philadelphia with the hope of getting to share something with Kembrel. When I got to Wharton in 2009, I felt like a young kid who wasn’t supposed to be there. I came from a no-name school and no-name company, and I felt as if I was among titans.

Kembrel’s welcoming smile and immense energy was the first indication that maybe I did belong. I had the fortune of having Kembrel for a course on public speaking and coming out of that class I knew I belonged – a big reason for that was that Kembrel believed in me. When I tried out for the graduation speech, I didn’t get it, but Kembrel was there, believing I did. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to share this with him, just wanted to share with you how he impacted my life.

-Andy Subervi, The Wharton School