FORT WORTH, Texas — During this week’s meeting of its board of trustees, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary announced the launch of a new scholarship initiated by the family of Morris H. Chapman to honor his denominational legacy. Chapman, 84, passed away Oct. 20.

“The Southwestern community is thankful for the opportunity to establish the Morris H. and Jodi Francis Chapman Scholarship, recognizing the Chapmans’ contribution to the life of the Southern Baptist Convention,” said President David S. Dockery. “We continue to pray for Jodi and the family during this time of loss while giving thanks to God for the hope of the Gospel.” 

The Morris H. and Jodi Francis Chapman Denominational Scholars Award is an endowed fund that supports students preparing to serve the denomination as Chapman did as the president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) from 1990-1992, and for 18 years as the president of the SBC Executive Committee, as well as other denominational posts. The scholarship will provide support for a student enrolled in the SBC annual meeting course through Southwestern, as well as providing scholarships for advanced research in areas such as denominational effectiveness, the history of Crossover, the Cooperative Program, or the life and ministry of Chapman.

Southwestern trustees affirmed the new scholarship by approving $20,000 in funds from its quasi-endowment fund to support the endowed scholarship.

Among those individuals who have committed to support the scholarship are Southwesterners Dockery (’81), Chancellor O. S. Hawkins (’74, ’20) and Jack Graham (’76, ’80), as well as James Merritt. Chapman’s home church, Triune Baptist Church in Arrington, Tenn., and First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls, Texas, pastored by Bob McCartney (’91, ’03), which Chapman pastored for 17 years, also have donated to the scholarship endowment. The SBC Executive Committee has pledged to provide a hotel room for the scholarship recipient’s housing each year during the SBC annual meeting.

Further information about Chapman and the opportunity to donate to the scholarship is available here.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Michelle Workman writes for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.)