Dorothy Chappell

Dr. Chappell was Professor of Biology for 19 and a half years, assumed the role of Senior Scholar on July 1st for the 2019-2020 academic year. She served as Dean of Natural and Social Sciences and Professor of Biology at the College from January 2000 until her appointment as Senior Scholar. Prior to her appoint as Dean, she served as Academic Dean at Gordon College (MA) for five and half years, continuing her commitment to Wheaton College by serving on the Board of Trustees during most of that time.

Dr. Chappell first received her appointment to Wheaton College, as Assistant Professor of Botany in 1977, was promoted to Associate Professor in 1982 and to Professor in 1989. She took on the additional role of Chair of the Biology Department in 1981 until her departure for Gordon in 1994. During her time as a faculty member, she served two terms as Vice Chair of the faculty. The College continues to see her legacy in its faculty, alumni and the Meyer Science Center.

Dean Chappell has received awards for research and teaching, and she has published on the cell biology of green algae which has included studies on this continent, in the Dead Sea, ice at the North Pole and Antarctica as well as on other continents. She has also written on various topics related to science and Christian scholarship. Among several academic and professional honors she has received are the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award at Wheaton College, Outstanding Educator of the Chicago Region, and a Fulbright Scholar’s Research Award to conduct research in Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand, among others. Christianity Today cited her in 2012 as one of 50 Women You Should Know.

She has served on the AAAS DOSER Advisory Board. She also has served on, or is serving on, numerous boards of trustees or boards of advisors including the, Phycological Society of America Board of Trustees, and the John F. Templeton Foundation Board of Advisors, among others. She has served as the President of, and is a fellow in, the American Scientific Affiliation. Her work in accreditation with NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) and the HLC (Higher Learning Commission) has been extensive.

Dr. Chappell is active in the PCUSA (Presbyterian Church USA) where she is an elder and has taught Adult Sunday School classes in the midmorning ministries programs on theological issues and other issues relating to science and ethics. The book, Not Just Science, co-authored by Dr. Chappell, was cited as a “2006 Book of Distinction” by the John Templeton Press and was featured as the Book of the Month by the American Scientific Affiliation in 2006. Dr. Chappell holds degrees from Longwood College, the University of Virginia and Miami University of Ohio. A native Virginian and lover of the outdoors, she enjoys hiking and photography, travel, music and reading in her leisure time.

Miami University of Ohio

University of Virginia

Longwood College