Economics alumnus develops photography to fund medical research

While Jeff Keefer ’74 studied economics at The College of Wooster and went on to work at the biotechnological and chemical manufacturing company DuPont for 34 years, his current involvement with Parkinson’s research ties back to his time at Wooster in ways he hadn’t expected. “I learned lots of good subjects at Wooster, but at the end of the day, that’s not the most important thing,” Keefer shared. “It was more about leading people where you had a chance to do that: learning processes for research and how to put those things together to have something that would be useful to people.” A 2025 recipient of Wooster’s Distinguished Alumni Award, Keefer strengthens his community through art.

Keefer’s photography supports funding for Parkinson’s disease research, a condition that affects the central nervous system and impacts balance, movement, and speech. When he sells a photo, the revenue goes to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on finding a cure to Parkinson’s. He’s raised nearly $500,000. “I’ve had Parkinson’s for 18 years now, so this is a labor of love. I do believe there’s a cure, maybe not too far off,” said Keefer, who sits on the board of the foundation.

As well as selling his photography, Keefer supports newly diagnosed patients by sharing his experience with the disease. “I try to tell them about my personal experiences, to the extent those match up with theirs, so they can watch for those milestones along the way,” shared Keefer. “Having the ability to talk to and get advice from places like the Fox Foundation gives me resources few often have. To the extent that I can share some of that with people is a blessing.”

Keefer’s focus on photography is not a new hobby, although not front-of-mind at Wooster. On campus, Keefer participated in swimming and spent a semester abroad with a greater emphasis on his coursework. Looking back, he urges students to keep an open mind about their futures, claiming that seeking out opportunities is more important than having a narrow path. “You can’t predict what you’re going to do or exactly how you’re going to do it, but what you want is the opportunities to come along,” said Keefer. “I couldn’t create the gallery and do what I’ve done without my business career, but that’s turned out to be a supporting role in my life, not my purpose.”

Featured image: Jeff Keefer ’74 and President McCall pose for photos at the Distinguished Alumni Award ceremony during Alumni Weekend.

This story originally appeared in the fall 2025 Annual Report.

Posted in Alumni, Magazine on November 18, 2025.