MONTEVALLO – Secretary of State Beth Chapman, a University of Montevallo alumna, was recently appointed by Gov. Robert Bentley to serve on the UM Board of Trustees.

She will serve in a state at large position for a term set to expire in 2023.

Chapman, a native of Greenville, was selected as state auditor in 2002 and was responsible for $1.6 billion in property assets. Under her leadership, the state auditor’s office produced a record-breaking 96 percent perfect audit rate among state agencies, holding them to the highest level of accountability.

She was elected Alabama’s 51st Secretary of State in 2006. Chapman created the Secretary of State’s first Voter Fraud Task Force to receive complaints from citizens about voting irregularities. She has championed the fight against voter fraud, which was highlighted nationally on Fox News. She is also known as a national leader in the valiant effort to develop military Internet voting to better serve members of our military who serve abroad.

Chapman, the author of six books, has received numerous military commendations for her advancement of the patriotic spirit in America, was elected to serve on the Executive Board for the Standards Board of the United States Elections Assistance Commission and has served as a member of the Governor’s Committee on Accountability. Additionally, she was the first woman in Alabama to serve as a cabinet member in the capacity of appointments secretary for a governor and later as press secretary for a lieutenant governor.