Montevallo, Ala. – The University of Montevallo recently celebrated the dedication of the Robert C. and June Chapman Sports Medicine Facility. The training room, housed in the McChesney Student Activity Center, is being named in honor of Robert Chapman ’63 and his late wife, June.
“We are very grateful for the donation from Mr. Chapman. Throughout this process he’s never made it about himself, it’s always been about the needs of the student athletes,” UM Director of Athletics Mark Richard said. “It’s not all about financial commitment, it’s also about his time and about him giving back to this University and we really appreciate that.”
Chapman completed his bachelor of science in chemistry with minors in biology and math at the University, then known as Alabama College. After receiving his master of science in Hospital and Healthcare Administration at UAB, Chapman began a 37-year career in healthcare administration. As an alumnus of the University and a UM Foundation Board member, the retired President and CEO of Eastern Health System in Birmingham believes his time at Montevallo provided a foundation for his future success.
“This is just a small way I can repay the University of Montevallo for giving me the opportunity to be educated here and set the foundation for my future growth as a professional in health care administration,” Chapman said.
Contributing to the expansion of the athletic training facility was a perfect fit for Chapman, combining his love of athletics and longtime career in healthcare.
A former member of the inaugural club basketball program at Montevallo, Chapman has always had an interest in athletics and believes that participation in sports plays a larger role in students’ lives than just wins and losses.
“I’ve been a firm believer for many years in the value of athletics to leadership, team development and future growth of individuals throughout their careers,” said Chapman. “Having participated in four sports in high school and the inaugural team here, I’ve had a strong feeling toward athletics itself.”
The University recently announced the public phase of its first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, The Campaign for the University of Montevallo: It’s About Family. A main priority of the multi-million dollar campaign is to develop facilities for learning, living and competing. Chapman’s gift is an important campaign project that will support new facilities for the athletic department.
Chapman’s generous donation will help furnish a satellite training room that is under construction at the track and field and lacrosse complex.
The current athletic training facility serves the needs of more than 300 student-athletes that compete in 18 sports for Montevallo.
“I had a 37-year career in healthcare management, my wife was in healthcare also, in the dental field,” Chapman said. “It really became a slam dunk to consider this particular facility as part of the support I wanted to provide and to recognize June at this point in time. While she is gone, she is still in my heart and I felt very strongly that she needed to be a part of the naming of this facility.”
About the Campaign for the University of Montevallo
The Campaign for the University of Montevallo: It’s About Family is the University of Montevallo’s single largest comprehensive fundraising campaign. An investment in the knowledge, expertise and values that Montevallo graduates will take into their lives and into their professions, It’s About Family seeks to build a culture of philanthropy.
The cumulative goal of the $20 million campaign will fund a broad array of needs, from student scholarships to faculty, coach and staff development, innovative facility improvements and the continued preservation of UM’s traditions.
Fore more information, visit the campaign website at http://www.montevallo.edu/itsaboutfamily.
Contacts: Gary Johnson, Comprehensive Campaign Director, 205-665-6217