Beverly Mann Chappie '54

1986 Distinguished Alumna Award for Community Service

Beverly Mann Chappie '54 has been an integral part of the Waukesha community all of her life. She was born here, educated here and involved here. Graduating from Carroll in 1954 with a major in psychology, Bev taught in the Elmbrook and Waukesha School Districts for several years. Then she raised a family and did what has always been near and dear to her heart…volunteered.

Bev’s volunteer roots go back to her teen years. The YWCA is where she first became involved. While at Carroll, she was an advisor to teenagers at the Y, helping to plan teen dances and service activities. That theme continued throughout her adult and professional life – helping people.  

Over the years she has served her church, the Waukesha School District, United Way of Greater Milwaukee and of Waukesha, the Finer Waukesha Committee, Waukesha Memorial Hospital, Waukesha County Community Council and other organizations such as the Altrusa and Ideal Clubs. In 1983 she was appointed to the Waukesha State Bank board of directors, becoming the first woman to serve on the bank’s board and the first woman to serve as a bank director in the city of Waukesha.  

She would often spend 20 to 40 hours a week volunteering. Her spirit of service also was evident in her professional career. Serving as the executive director of the Waukesha YWCA, Chappie was responsible for doubling the size of its staff, tripling its physical plant and watching it grow from an agency serving about 7,000 people to more than 20,000—crediting the organization as the 15th largest YWCA in the nation at the time.  

Bev also has been a tremendous supporter of her alma mater throughout the years. She served on the Alumni Council, worked on the annual fund drive and has been a loyal contributor throughout the years along with her husband and alumnus, Don Chappie '52.  

Bev continues to be an active alumna to this day. Bev and Don have three adult children and live in Brookfield, Wis.