The Dr. Elizabeth A. Chapman Scholarship was established in 2021 to support an incoming freshman studying within a program of the College of Applied Science and Technology. In order to qualify for the Dr. Elizabeth A. Chapman Scholarship, students must be active in leadership roles and activities, practice civic engagement, and have a background in community service during their time in high school.
Chapman’s passion for education began as a child. Even as a kindergartner, she dreamed of becoming a teacher. Her parents were supportive but made it clear that Chapman would have to find means beyond their support to finance her education. That’s when she began applying for the scholarships that made it possible for her to pursue a degree in education.
“I graduated from college with minimal debt,” Chapman said. “I couldn’t have done it if I had not had the scholarships I had.”
Chapman is proud to give back to the next generation of students and finds inspiration in former Illinois State University faculty and staff colleagues. Chapman’s fondest memories of Illinois State are of interactions and relationships with students, fellow professors, and staff members.
“I think of the people in the College of Applied Science and Technology: my associate dean, Dr. Larry Miller; the chair of the Family and Consumer Sciences department, Dr. Connie Ley, who was a good mentor and always made me think a second time about things; and people like Dr. John Urice, who gave me opportunities to come to the provost’s office,” said Chapman. “Those are the kind of people who inspired me and supported me, and then there’s the whole group of friendships of people that I worked with, not for, like various other deans of the college, like Dr. Virginia Owen.”
Chapman hopes her contributions will allow another generation to be able to contribute to society. She hopes the next generation will not only give of their skills and talents but also broaden each other’s minds.
“A lot is solvable by providing people with the opportunity to show that there’s more than one way to address problems,” she said. “I think the educational experience at the college level does broaden students’ perspectives.”
