David S. Chapman

David Chapman is recognized as an extraordinary teacher, researcher, and academic leader whose dedication to education represents the best in academia today. A highly respected and internationally known geophysicist, he is known for his research in measuring and interpreting heat flow out of the Earth. His research helps scientists understand the way temperature influences geologic processes, with important applications in areas of study such as geothermal systems, the generation of oil in sedimentary basins, and global warming. Chapman’s early, innovative work in measuring the heat loss of the earth is quoted widely in textbooks today. Most recently, he has developed novel methods to determine the amount of global warming dating back to the time of the Industrial Revolution.

A recipient of three University of Utah teaching prizes, Chapman is admired for his skills and dedication as an educator and an inspiring mentor. For more than 30 years, he has shared his enthusiasm with fellow faculty and students, inspiring many to pursue their own distinguished careers in geophysics and related fields. Chapman has been honored by the University of Utah with the distinction of University Professor, and he has received both the Distinguished Teaching Award and the Calvin S. and JeNeal N. Hatch Prize for Excellence in Teaching. With his trademark concern for students, Chapman used the cash awards that accompany these prizes to establish an endowment fund to assist students with their research-related travel expenses.

As Dean of the Graduate School, Chapman implemented a graduate student tuition benefit, improved the process of program reviews, advanced the training of international teaching assistants, and, in 2004, created a graduate student health insurance benefit.

A native of Vancouver Island, Canada, Chapman attended the University of British Columbia where he earned his B.Sc. (1964) and M.Sc. (1966) in physics. From 1966 to 1972, he taught at Canisus College, Republic of Zambia, and at the University of Zambia. He received his Ph.D. in geophysics from the University of Michigan in 1976 and in the same year joined the University of Utah faculty. Currently, he maintains dual roles as Professor of Geology and Geophysics and Dean of The Graduate School. In 2001, Chapman was named to the national board of the Council of Graduate Schools, and in 2002, he was elected president of the Western Association of Graduate Schools.