Martin Chapman served in the Army Medical Corps during World War II and earned his bachelor of science in education degree from The University of Akron in 1947. He attended Rutgers University on a National Conference of Christians and Jews Scholarship and completed his Master’s Degree at the university in 1952.

Mr. Chapman’s career in the Akron Public Schools began in 1947 as a teacher at the elementary level. He was elevated to his first administrative assignment in 1969. He worked as an assistant principal and later principal of Summer Secondary Schools, at Crouse Elementary School, Margaret Park, Goodyear Junior High, and Garfield High School.

In 1968, Mr. Chapman was affiliated with the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company as College Relations Manager. He also served as Director of Community Relations for Group One Broadcasting Company.