David Chapman Named as Mary and Mavis Kelsey Professor

     Dr. David L. Chapman, University Archivist and Associate Director of the Cushing Memorial Library and Archives, has been named the Mary and Mavis P. Kelsey Cushing Library Professor. The Kelsey family established the Kelsey Professorship in 2000 to enhance and advance the mission of the Cushing Library. Dr. Kelsey, class of 1932, and his late wife are regarded as leading collectors of 19th century historic prints, the history of illustration, Texas and Southwest History, and many other subjects. The Cushing Library houses the Kelsey Americana Collection and the Kelsey Illustrators Collection. The reading room of the Cushing Library is also named in honor of the Kelseys.

     Dr. Chapman has authored over 60 articles on the history of Texas A&M, as well as monographs and other publications on A&M and Texas history. He is a founding member and former Vice President and President of the Southwestern Archivist, the largest regional archives association in the country. As University Archivist, he preserves the history of the institution, acting as the "memory" of Texas A&M. He serves the faculty, staff, administration, and current and former students of Texas A&M by meeting a myriad of requests for information on the history of the institution. He has given hundreds of talks on A&M history to groups throughout Texas and the United States. Over the last decade, he has also played a key role in restoring the Cushing Library.

     "Given the Kelseys' long association with Texas A&M and the libraries, we are pleased that David Chapman will hold the professorship that bears their name," Fred Heath , Dean of the University Libraries, stated in making the announcement.