Story by: Jonathan Weed

Beth Chapman, a University of Montevallo alumna and former Alabama secretary of state, returned to campus March 17 to talk about her time as a UM student. Speaking in the Center for the Arts, Chapman reminisced about her days a student and gave advice to current Montevallo students the tough lessons she learned all throughout her college experience.

Chapman graduated in 1984 with a degree in Mass Communication. During her time at UM, she wrote for The Alabamian and was heavily involved in College Night. She was a Purple for all four years and served as a Purple Side leader during her senior year.

“College Night was one of my all time favorite experiences at Montevallo and am very proud they continue the tradition,” Chapman said. “So PV to all my purples out there!”

Chapman also spoke about the hardships she encountered as a student at UM, noting that she didn’t fit in too well her freshman year.

“I thought about transferring to our closest university (Alabama),” Chapman recalled. “But there is one individual that kept me on the straight path — that is Ms. Loretta Cobb. She saved my freshman year academically. This is when I learned you need to surround yourself with good people. That is what helps turn you into a good leader.”

This is when I learned you need to surround yourself with good people. That is what helps turn you into a good leader.

Beth Chapman

After college, Chapman served as the state executive director for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, state auditor for Alabama and the 51st Alabama secretary of state. Currently, she is the president of Beth Chapman and Associates, a political and public relations consulting firm.

Chapman concluded the talk by relating to students with current struggles, such as burnout related to the pandemic. She told students if they learned anything from listening to her, she hoped it was:

  • “You’re going to make it and it’s going to be more fun than you imagined.”
  • “Work to reach your full potential.”
  • “Learn as much as you can.”