Blanton-Peale Institute Confers 2013 Norman Vincent Peale Award on Casey Kemper

One of the highlights of the year for the Blanton-Peale Institute is its annual award dinner, when it honors “people whose lives clearly and inspirationally exemplify the power of thinking positively, with faith, deep caring for people, and dedicated commitment to improving our world.” This year, one of the honorees was Casey R. Kemper, EVP/COO of the Collegiate Church Corporation and Blanton-Peale’s Vice Chairman.

In 2012, Casey and Blanton-Peale’s president /CEO, the Rev. Dr. Paul W. Bradley, invited David Helpern onto the Board.

The award is inspired by the work of the Rev. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, for nearly a half-century the Senior Minister of Marble Collegiate Church, who published The Power of Positive Thinking in 1952.

One of Dr. Peale’s own positive achievements was establishing, in 1937, what is now called the Blanton-Peale Institute and Counseling Center with his good friend, the psychoanalyst Dr. “Smiley” Blanton. A controversial concept at the time, Blanton-Peale links psychological theory and “wisdom from interfaith traditions.” It provides post-graduate education and clinical training in conjunction with a counseling center that handles over 20,000 visits a year.

Casey Kemper’s long experience in real estate [Equitable Life real Estate Group, Olympia & York USA, and Deutsche Bank Capital Realty] prepared him for his 16 years as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Collegiate Church Corporation, which is responsible for the four New York City congregations and Intersections International, a peace reconciliation and justice initiative.

He also currently chairs the boards of the Housing Action Council of Westchester, New Amsterdam History Center, the Woman’s Project Theater Company, and Counselors of Real Estate/NY Chapter. A dedicated family man, Casey was introduced at the award ceremony by his daughter, Courtney Regan Kemper.

“It would be hard to find someone more visionary, committed, effective, and cheerful than Casey,” David Helpern commented. “I am always amazed at the breadth of his involvement in our mutual projects for the various Collegiate Churches, as well as for Blanton-Peale.”