Mabel W. Chipman was born in Redgranite, Wisconsin in 1900, the only child of Fred and Emily Chipman. She graduated from Redgranite High School in 1919 and then attended the Oshkosh State Normal School from 1916-1919 where she received her teaching degree. She taught at a number of high schools including Winneconne High School and Redgranite High School from 1919 to 1930. After eleven years she left the teaching profession to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1930-1932. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in finance in 1931, and in 1932 she received her Master’s Degree in commerce with an emphasis in accounting. After receiving her Master’s degree, she moved to Eau Claire and became the business manager at the Eau Claire State Teacher’s College. Her many duties included accounting for all funds, purchasing, payroll, maintaining supplies, assisting with budget preparation, and disbursing student loan funds. For many years she was the only financial officer. Chipman was also active in area organizations including the Wisconsin Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Club and the Eau Claire Women’s Club. Chipman was an avid reader and writer of poetry and was the Literature Department Chairman of the Eau Claire Women’s Club. She was also a friend of the university’s first music teacher, Clara Mae Ward. Mabel Chipman retired from the University in 1965 and remained in the city of Eau Claire until her death in 1988.