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A legacy of helping others
Tiffany Chapman won the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in October 2012. Photo courtesy of UnityPoint Health.
Black Hawk College alum Tiffany Chapman helped others for many years as a nurse.
Before she passed away in January 2026, Chapman decided that she wanted to continue helping others even after she was gone.
“Unfortunately, three incurable diseases shortened Tiffany’s life, but not her helpful spirit,” said her father, Jon Chapman.
She decided to help BHC nursing students by making a $102,000 donation to the Black Hawk College Foundation. It will be used to purchase a training manikin for the nursing program, with funds remaining for future nursing equipment and training tools.
And starting in 2027, the Chapman family has pledged $10,000 annually for two scholarships that will be awarded to Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nursing (LPN) students in her memory.
The pledge fund has more than $130,000 and will benefit dozens of BHC students in the future.
“Tiffany Chapman’s compassion and commitment to helping others will continue to impact Black Hawk College nursing students for years to come,” said Dr. Jeremy Thomas, BHC president.
“We are deeply grateful to the Chapman family for honoring her legacy through this meaningful gift,” he said.
Trudy Starr, chair of the BHC Nursing Department, said the generous donations are deeply appreciated by the BHC nursing faculty and the many students whose lives will be touched.
“Tiffany was proud to be able to help current and future Black Hawk College nurses learn, benefiting themselves and their patients,” her father said.
Starr said the donation will make a meaningful and lasting difference by enhancing the college’s ability to provide realistic, high-quality simulation experiences to prepare nurses to deliver compassionate, quality care.
“Because of Tiffany’s kindness, future nurses will learn, grow and gain confidence during the BHC nursing program,” she said. “We are truly grateful for this generosity and the ongoing impact it will have for our students.
“This is a quote from Tiffany – ‘Learn. To benefit your patients, and yourself,’” Starr said.
About Tiffany Chapman
Throughout her life, her father said, Tiffany’s goals were simple: to develop, as best she could, her God-given talents.
Tiffany Chapman in 1994.
Early in her life, she was attracted to and had an affinity for gymnastics. She worked hard to become an Elite, gymnastics highest skill level, and at age 11 began competing nationally. She was a 23-time state champion in Illinois and Iowa, including a five-time Illinois high school champ. She was All-State, All-American, and ranked 19th nationally.
As she grew older, helping others became her passion and led her to hands-on nursing. She believed that the Black Hawk College Associate Degree Nursing program – from which she graduated in December 2005 – well prepared her for nursing. Perhaps being a fourth- generation RN helped, too, her father said.
Her love for nursing was evidenced by many nominations for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, an international award she received in October 2012. The award celebrates and recognizes nurses by collecting nominations from patients, families and co-workers – anyone who experiences or observes extraordinarily compassionate care being provided by a nurse.
Jon Chapman said his daughter’s challenge to others is to develop their God-given talents, then use their skills to help others.
