Thomas F. Chapman Distinguished Professorship goes to Mary Anne Raymond

CLEMSON, South Carolina – Mary Anne Raymond has been named the Thomas F. Chapman ’65 Distinguished Professor in Leadership in the Clemson University College of Business. The endowed professorship was created by long-time Clemson benefactors Tom and Karen Chapman as part of their inaugural Cornerstone Partner for Academics gift of $4 million presented to the university last fall.

As recipient of the Thomas F. Chapman ’65 Distinguished Professorship in Leadership, Raymond has been awarded one of the highest academic honors bestowed on a faculty member. Endowed professorships build academic recognition; inspire lifelong learning and excellence; and create opportunities for collaboration, mentoring, touching lives and advancing scholarship.

“Mary Anne has been aptly selected by her colleagues to receive this professorship for her unwavering commitment to enriching young minds and intrepid dedication to the Thomas F. Chapman Leadership Scholars Program,” said Bobby McCormick, business school dean. “Mary Anne has had a lasting influence on the nearly 100 student scholars who have passed through the Chapman Scholars program since 2009.”

The Chapmans’ $4 million gift to the university was the first Cornerstone Partner for Academics gift to Clemson. Cumulatively, the Chapmans have given $6.3 million in athletic and academic gifts to Clemson to further the university’s mission and vision. The Cornerstone program is made up of visionaries who commit transformational funding to set the course for Clemson’s future success as one of the nation’s top-ranked public universities.

“Mary Anne absolutely epitomizes the foundational values and philosophy upon which the Thomas F. Chapman Leadership Scholars Program was built: intellect, courage and heart. Karen and I are so proud to have her continued leadership, vision and passion as our distinguished professor,” Tom Chapman said.

The Chapmans established the Thomas F. Chapman Leadership Scholars Program in the College of Business in 2009. The three-year program identifies and competitively selects freshmen who demonstrate leadership potential and nurtures those qualities through their Clemson careers. As a result of their Cornerstone gift, the Chapman Leadership Scholars Program will extend to all seven of Clemson’s colleges. Eight scholars will represent the College of Business and one scholar each from the other colleges.

“Tom and Karen Chapmans’ generosity has made another lasting impact on Clemson University through the Thomas F. Chapman ’65 Distinguished Professorship in Leadership,” said Robert Jones, executive vice president for academics and provost. “We are honored and appreciative of their continued support for our students and faculty at Clemson.”

Raymond served as chair of the business school’s marketing department from 2010 to 2015 and more recently is the college’s director of corporate relations. She began her Clemson career in 1999. She received undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Alabama and her Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Georgia. She has overseen the Thomas F. Chapman Leadership Scholars program since 2013.

“Being selected as recipient of the Thomas F. Chapman ’65 Distinguished Professorship in Leadership is truly the most incredible honor imaginable,” Raymond said. “I am so grateful for everything Tom and Karen have done and continue to do for the College of Business and Clemson University. Their support and mentorship have played an important role in my life and the lives of current and alumni Chapman Leadership Scholars.”

Raymond has received numerous academic teaching, faculty excellence and distinguished service awards and has served as a business consultant to domestic and international corporations. As director of corporate relations, Raymond helps build partnerships with corporations that result in support for the priorities and mission of the College of Business, including classroom engagement, internship opportunities and scholarship support.

Added McCormick, “Mary Anne epitomizes the caring dedication exhibited by Clemson faculty to teaching, service and scholarship in the best tradition of Thomas Green Clemson’s vision for a ‘high seminary of learning.’”

Tom Chapman served as chairman and chief executive officer of Equifax Inc. from May 1999 until his retirement in December 2005. For more than 40 years, Chapman built an outstanding career in banking, information technology and marketing. Before joining Equifax in 1990, he spent 20 years with First Atlanta Corp. (acquired by Wachovia Corp. in 1985). He then founded and became chief executive officer of Financial Environments Inc., a financial services consulting company.