Judge Kemp

From glamorous galas to food pantries, Judge Kemp spends his free time organizing community projects.

Judge, 2007 alum, helps folks in Portland’s gay and transgendered community, volunteering in the Red Dress Party; SHARE, (Senior Housing and Retirement Enterprises); and Esther’s Pantry, which provides food and personal care items to those with HIV/AIDS.

On reflecting on his community involvement, “It has to be fun; you have to have a hand in something that interests you.” Judge also supports Fire on the Columbia Party, an annual event for youth in the Oregon Crusaders—a drum and bugle corps.

Judge’s day job is with an accounting firm, KPMG LLP, where he is an executive assistant. He says his PSU coursework prepared him to be effective at delivering presentations in professional settings. Currently he leads the office’s green team and gives presentations on sustainability practices.

During his time at Portland State, Judge was a teaching assistant for Gisele Tierney. He relished his experience because he was able to contribute the perspective of a gay African-American in the gender and communication course. This year Judge will be celebrating his nine year anniversary with his partner, Eric Schnell. On recollecting the first time they met, laughs, “He was a blonde, I had a Jheri-Curl.”

As far as advice for those making big decisions about their future, Judge says “For anyone who is looking to go back to school, use your time wisely because time goes by so fast.”

Story and photo by Melissa Shavlik