Thomas F. Chapman Leadership Scholars

The Thomas F. Chapman Leadership Scholars Program selects freshmen at Clemson University who show leadership potential and nurtures those qualities throughout their Clemson career. The program is designed to enrich students' academic preparation beyond the classroom and curriculum and support the college's mission to develop leadership abilities in its students.

The program is based, in part, on a leadership theme developed by former Equifax CEO and board chairman Thomas F. Chapman ’65, which uses the analogy of The Wizard of Oz characters — the scarecrow, lion and tin man — to communicate the traits of leadership. Those students whose applications are deemed the most outstanding are then further screened through an interview process with the review panel to select 8 Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business students and one student from each additional College on campus, 14 students total, who will begin the program.

Chapman Leadership Scholars have the potential to receive a total of $6,000 over three years.

Contact Us:
Charleen Fitzgerald
864-656-1312

About Thomas F. Chapman

Thomas (Tom) F. Chapman is an accomplished business and civic leader. Until his retirement in 2005, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Equifax Inc. Chapman also served on the boards of Southern Company and Certegy.

He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Clemson and is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University's Graduate School of Business. At Clemson, Chapman was a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher and a member of the Tiger Brotherhood and the Block C Club. Upon graduation, Chapman played professional baseball in the Philadelphia Phillies organization until April 1968, when his Army Reserve unit was activated and deployed to Vietnam, where he served with distinction. Over the past four decades, Chapman has served as both a business and community leader.

For Clemson University, he created the Thomas F. Chapman Leadership Scholars Program in the College of Business and Behavioral Science. As the inaugural Academic Cornerstone Partner in 2017, Tom and Karen expanded the leadership program university-wide, making the program available for more outstanding students. He also funded the construction of the Thomas F. Chapman Grandstands at Clemson's baseball stadium. In 2010, the Clemson Alumni Association recognized Chapman with the Distinguished Service Award, its highest honor. He has served his alma mater in various capacities, including two terms on the board of directors of the Clemson University Foundation, the President's Advisory Board and the Athletics Advisory Committee. In 2016, Chapman received the Clemson University Bond Distinguished Athletes Award, created to honor Tiger athletes who have shown great character and become outstanding citizens in their life after Clemson. The Chapmans are distinguished members of the Thomas Green Clemson Society and the Century Oak Society. They are also Founding members of President James F. Barker and Mrs. Marcia D. Barker Scholarship Endowment and the President's Leadership Circle.

Beyond Clemson, he is active in cancer prevention, detection and care initiatives at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, establishing the Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness Centers across the Piedmont system in Georgia. Chapman is also involved with Georgia CORE, the Center for Oncology Research and Education. Additionally, he is passionate about helping children with autism through his involvement with the Marcus Autism Center creating the Tom and Karen Chapman Care Coordination Center and supporting the Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta.

Chapman received the 2014 Georgia Philanthropist of the Year Award.

Tom and his wife Karen reside in Atlanta, Georgia.