Jeremiah Chapman
Biology Major, Memphis, Tenn.
Like many students majoring in biology, Jeremiah Chapman desires to be in the medical field, but not the way most may think. Chapman wants to work with animals as a veterinarian.
鈥淏eing a vet is something that I鈥檝e always had in the back of my mind,鈥� Chapman said. 鈥淚 always knew I was going to be majoring in marine bio or some kind of animal science-related major.鈥�
While growing up in Memphis, Chapman helped with church productions at Bellevue Baptist Church. Dr. Bob Parker, a veterinarian in the area, was the husband to the head of church productions at Bellevue, which allowed Chapman to shadow his practice several times and witness veterinary work firsthand. Soon after, Chapman fell in love with the idea of working with animals.
But that was not the only thing that pushed Chapman to pursue biology.
鈥淯nion actually helped me decide to become a vet,鈥� Chapman said.
In his search for colleges, Chapman had narrowed his choices down to Union and one other school. Chapman explained that the two schools would have forced him to decide between majors. If he attended the other, he would have majored in marine biology with a focus in biological research. If he decided to attend Union, Chapman would have gone the veterinarian route in general biology.
He initially chose the other school, but changed his mind when he discovered that Union made more sense financially. Although much of his late hours are spent in White Hall, Union鈥檚 biology building, Chapman still finds time as a member of the Student Activities Council, a group of students who organize creative and exciting events for the Union community.
鈥淢y freshman year I came in and was looking for ways to give back,鈥� Chapman said.
He explained that his friend Steve Williams had also graduated from First Assembly Christian, a high school in Cordova, Tennessee. Williams, who now works as a Union enrollment counselor, attended Union before Chapman had. When Chapman arrived on campus his freshman year, Williams became a mentor to him and introduced him to SGA. During the early days of Orientation Week, Chapman discovered SAC while browsing the event tables that displayed a plethora of Union groups and clubs.
鈥淲hen I鈥檓 given a lot, I love to give back a lot,鈥� Chapman said. 鈥淯nion has given me a lot of opportunities and has given me a lot that allows me to be on this campus. Because of that, I really like to give back to my community because they have given so much.鈥�
By Ethan Orwig ('25)