The Murray State College Foundation will host its second annual Legacy Gala on January 24, 2026, honoring Fred A. Chapman, Jr., as the 2026 Legacy Award recipient.

A native of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Chapman attended Oklahoma A&M University, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. After two years of service in the U.S. Army, he and his wife returned to southern Oklahoma, settling on the Chapman farm in Russett before moving their family back to Ardmore.

The Legacy Award recognizes individuals whose enduring support has significantly enriched the communities impacted by Murray State College. The award highlights contributions that go beyond the ordinary, reflecting a lasting commitment to the college’s mission and to advancing its goals.

“We are honored to recognize Mr. Chapman for his family’s contributions to Murray State over the years,” said Jordyn Frazier, Murray State College Foundation Executive Director. “Legacy is the best term to describe how the Chapmans have been and continue to be interwoven in the fabric of our college.”

Chapman has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to higher education through his service on the Murray State College Foundation Board from 2004 to 2022. He also made a significant contribution to the college by donating 160 acres of land to support a purebred Angus cattle operation. Chapman’s family connection to Murray State College spans generations, rooted in land stewardship and agriculture education.

In addition to his support for education, Chapman has been deeply engaged in community leadership, serving on the boards of Lincoln Bank, the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce, the National Livestock Commission Credit Corporation, and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association.

The Murray State College Foundation also awards the Fred A. Chapman, Jr. and William C. Chapman Family Endowed Scholarship to students majoring in agriculture, extending the family’s impact for future generations.

The Chapman families own and operate Chapman Ranches, headquartered in Mannsville, Oklahoma. The ranches span Carter, Marshall and Murray counties in Oklahoma, as well as Bowie and Red River counties in Texas.

“Mr. Chapman’s impact is defined by service, generosity and an unwavering belief in the power of education,” said Dr. Tim Faltyn, Murray State College President. “His lifelong support of Murray State College has opened doors for countless students and strengthened the communities we serve.”

Those interested in joining the community of donors who make a generational impact on the lives of Murray State students may visit mscok.edu/community/foundation or contact Jordyn Frazier at jfrazier@mscok.edu or (580) 387-7142.