Tom Chapman ’65 and Karen Chapman Honorary Alumnus ’18, are building on nearly two decades of investment in Clemson students with a new $5.25 million commitment to expand the Thomas F. Chapman ’65 Leadership Scholars Program and strengthen its impact across the University.
The Chapmans’ latest gift will increase the number of students selected for the program from 15 to 20 each year while doubling financial support for scholarships, program leadership, instruction and experiences designed to develop the next generation of leaders.
The program and its supporting endowments will move to the Clemson University Office of the President, reinforcing its university-wide reach and its role in preparing students from across Clemson’s undergraduate colleges. The new structure is designed to support the program as it grows while preserving its foundational leadership principles.
“The Thomas F. Chapman ’65 Leadership Scholars Program is Clemson University’s flagship leadership program, preparing students to lead with intellect, courage and heart,” said Benjamin C. Ayers, president of Clemson University. “Tom and Karen Chapman have built something truly special at Clemson through their vision, generosity and personal commitment to our students. Their continued investment will give even more Tigers the opportunity to develop as leaders and carry those lessons forward into their communities and careers for many years to come.”
Developing leaders with intellect, courage and heart
Tom and Karen Chapman established the leadership scholars program at Clemson in 2008 with a $1 million gift. The three-year program combines academic scholarships with leadership education rooted in a framework Chapman developed during his business career.
Drawing inspiration from The Wizard of Oz, the program emphasizes three essential qualities of leadership: intellect, courage and heart.
The Chapmans know firsthand the importance of each. Tom was a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference pitcher for the Tigers and became Clemson’s first Major League Baseball draft selection when the Philadelphia Phillies selected him in 1965. His professional baseball career ended when his Army Reserve unit was activated and deployed to Vietnam.
He later built a distinguished career in banking, information technology and business leadership, ultimately serving as chairman and CEO of Equifax Inc. before retiring in 2005. Throughout his career, he was known for his marketing expertise and his focus on values-based leadership — lessons he has shared with generations of Clemson students.
Karen was named an honorary alumnus in 2018, an award given to honor steadfast supporters who never attended Clemson University but show exceptional service, lifelong devotion and loyalty to the school. Karen holds a Bachelor of Science from North Carolina State University. She is the retired chief administrative officer of Equifax.
In Atlanta, Tom and Karen have been active in support of cancer prevention, detection and care initiatives at Piedmont Hospital and established The Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness centers across the Piedmont system in Georgia. They also support the Shepard Center, Ronald McDonald House, and the Center for Oncology Research and Education.
They helped children with autism through their involvement with the Marcus Autism Center, creating the Tom and Karen Chapman Care Coordination Center.
In 2017, Tom and Karen made an additional $4M gift to Clemson University to establish a permanent endowment and expand the Chapman Scholars program university wide. The Chapmans were recognized at the time as Clemson’s first Academic Cornerstone Partners.
The program celebrated 16 years of impact in 2025. More than 200 students have participated in the program, with alumni crediting it not only for helping shape their understanding of leadership but also for creating a close community of students and mentors.
Tom shared, “The students have always been the heart of this program. Karen and I have had the privilege of getting to know so many Chapman Scholars over the years, and there is nothing more rewarding than watching them grow in their confidence, their character and their ability to lead. Our hope is that this program continues to give Clemson students the opportunity to develop those qualities and carry them into their communities and careers.”
Today, Chapman Scholars represent disciplines from across Clemson. Students are selected for their leadership potential and spend three years developing their skills through coursework, mentoring, service and other experiential opportunities.
Investing in the program’s future
The Chapmans’ commitment will also strengthen the leadership and infrastructure supporting the scholars.
A previously established endowment for the Thomas F. Chapman ’65 Distinguished Professorship in Leadership Development has been renamed the Thomas F. Chapman ’65 Distinguished Director of the Leadership Scholars Program Endowment.
The endowed Distinguished Director will support a dedicated Program Director responsible for overseeing the Chapman Scholars Program, including its staff, leadership curriculum and student experience. A dedicated Administrative Coordinator will provide additional support as the program expands. The director will be an accomplished leader and educator with expertise in leadership development and the ability to deliver engaging instruction to students.
This expansion also advances Fiercely Forward, Clemson’s $1.889 billion campaign to strengthen the student experience and prepare students to launch lives of significance. By investing in scholarships, leadership education, mentorship and meaningful experiences, the Chapmans are helping put that student-centered vision into action.
“Tom and Karen Chapman have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to Clemson and our students for nearly two decades. We are deeply grateful for this latest gift and, just as importantly, for the vision, generosity and personal involvement they have brought to the Chapman Scholars Leadership Program since its beginning. Their continued support will allow even more students to benefit from this transformational leadership experience while ensuring the program Tom and Karen envisioned has the resources to thrive for generations to come,” said Brian O’Rourke, Senior Vice President for Advancement.
For Tom and Karen Chapman, the latest commitment continues a philanthropic partnership with Clemson that has touched academics, athletics and student life.
Tom has served Clemson in numerous volunteer leadership roles, including two terms on the Clemson University Foundation Board of Directors, the President’s Advisory Board and the Athletics Advisory Committee. Clemson recognized him with the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2010 and the Clemson University Bond Distinguished Athletes Award in 2016.
The Chapmans provided significant funding for the construction of the Thomas F. Chapman Grandstands at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, and they have generously endowed scholarships for ClemsonLIFE and Clemson ROTC.
Endowed programs such as the Chapman Scholars Leadership Program are respected, sought-after and central to Clemson’s commitment to preparing outstanding students through unique and meaningful opportunities. With very few undergraduate leadership programs of this kind in the country, the program gives Clemson a distinctive way to develop student leaders.
Through the Chapman Scholars Leadership Program, Clemson students will carry what they learn into the communities where they live and serve, making a significant impact across the state, the nation and the world. The Chapmans’ example invites others to join Fiercely Forward by considering how investing in Clemson can help students thrive and extend that impact far beyond campus.
Learn more about the Fiercely Forward Campaign.
