Dr. Denise Chapman Montgomery

Denise Michelle Chapman Montgomery was born October 29, 1959 in Chicago, Illinois. She was the oldest of two siblings, Mr. Vincent Chapman, Jr. She was preceded in death by both parents Vincent C. and Anne M. Chapman, Sr.

Denise gave her life to Christ at an early age and joined the Bethany Seventh Day Adventist Academy church in Montgomery, Alabama.

Denise married Dennis Montgomery on April 5, 2010. She also fostered Trevante McGee for several years until she was unable to her to care for him.

Scholarship for Denise began at St Edmund's Elementary in Chicago. After her family relocated from Chicago, she went on to graduate from Valley High School in 1976 in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Post high school, Denise continued to further her education with attending Marquette University located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she majored in Interpersonal Communication and earned Bachelor of Art Degree in August of 1981. In addition, she attended University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa - there she earned in Physical Therapy a Certificate in May of 1981, earned in Curriculum and Instruction Master of Art in May of 1984, and earned Higher Education a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in July of 1987. She was the youngest PhD. recipient at that time.

Dr. Chapman started her professional career in 1987 as an Assistant Professor at Florida A&M University, School of Allied Health Sciences, where she was quickly recognized for the Teacher of the Year Award 1989-1990. Denise had a passion for education. She was deeply committed to increasing minority representation in the field of physical therapy. She loved teaching and creating an environment where students would flourish utilizing God talents. With enthusiasm, she eagerly went on to work at Langston University (1990-1998) as the Associate Professor where she managed several businesses - School of Nursing and Health Professions, Division of Physical Therapy- Acting Director, and the Health Administration and Gerontology. She had a passion for education. Denise was really committed to increasing minority representation. She was a pursuit of excellence!

Dr. Chapman worked and taught classes at Alabama State University (ASU) from 1998 to 2009 (retirement). She was hired by the university and assigned to the position Dean of College Health Sciences, and Chair Professor of Physical Therapy. In May 2012, the ASU, Board of Trustee named her Dean Emerita of College of Health Sciences, and renamed the Buskey Auditorium /Lecture Hall in her honor, (Dr. Denise M. Chapman). Furthermore, Dr. Chapman was part of several organizations to include the American Physical Therapy Association, American Academy of Physical Therapy, National Society of Allied Health, the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa and severed as an on-site visitor for the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Dr. Chapman documented white-paper articles have been published in the American Archives of Rehabilitation Therapy, the Journal of Physical Therapy Education, the Oklahoma Geriatric Education Center, and the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services.

Appointed and Elected Positions:

• Board of Director (Honorary Member), National Society of Allied Health (2011- Present)

• Board of Directors, Tuskegee Area Health Education Center (2001- 2010)

• Board of Director, National Society of Allied Health (2000- 2010)

• Board of Directors, International Coalition for Wellness, Director of Research (2004- 2008)

• Board of Directors, Family Guidance Center (2000- 2005)

• Board of Directors, Montgomery Area United Way (2000- 2005)

• Commissioner, National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (2004- 2010)

• President, National Society of Allied Health - NASH (2004- 2007)

• Alabama Commission of Physical Fitness (2001- 2006)

Dr. Chapman worked and taught classes at Alabama State University (ASU) from 1998 to 2009 retirement. She was hired by the university and assigned to the position Dean of College Health Sciences, and Chair Professor of Physical Therapy. In May 2012, the ASU, Board of Trustee named her Dean Emerita of College of Health Sciences, and renamed the Buskey Auditorium /Lecture Hall in her honor (madam name Chapman). Furthermore, Dr. Chapman was part of several organizations to include the American Physical Therapy Association, American Academy of Physical Therapy, National Society of Allied Health, the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa and severed as an on-site visitor for the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Dr. Chapman has authored 7 published white-paper articles in the American Archives of Rehabilitation Therapy, the Journal of Physical Therapy Education, the Oklahoma Geriatric Education Center, and the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services. She also has served as the ASU, Project Director for more 9 approved grants.

Denise loved the her sorors, she was a Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta (DST) Sorority, Incorporated. She pledged DST, Lambda Phi Chapter in year 1977 at Marquette University. She served as a DST, Faculty Advisor for the undergraduate Chapters while employed at Florida A&M and Langston University.

Denise had a passion for education. She was committed to increasing minority representation in the field of physical therapy. She loved teaching and creating an environment where students could flourish. She was driven and pursued excellence in all that she did. Prior to her health challenges, she was an avid reader, enjoyed travelling, and was a shopaholic.

Denise was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent C. and Anne M. Chapman, Sr. She leaves to mourn her husband, Dennis Montgomery, mother-in-law, Annie Rose Montgomery, brother Vincent Chapman, Jr., (Camille), brother-in-law Daniel Montgomery, sisters-in-law Dorothy Montgomery and Denise Huntley, nieces, Sahara and Soleil Chapman, uncles, Thomas Chapman and Rhotee Thompson Jr. (Sandy), many cousins, her godmother, Dr. Jean Manning, Dr. Ruth Baines, Brenda Dawson, Valerie Sims-Rucker and Mildred Brickler, goddaughter Whitney Rucker, godson Alexander Brickler IV, numerous colleagues, staff, friends, and Delta sisters.