Dr. J. Harris Chappell was named the first President of Georgia Normal & Industrial College in May 1891. Chappell was born on October 18, 1849 in Macon, GA and attended the University of Virginia where he studied Greek history, and literature. He later received an honorary doctorate in 1895 from Peabody College. Chappell taught in schools in Georgia and Alabama, founded a school for girls and Chappell College for Women in Columbus, GA. In the fall of 1891 when the doors to GN&IC first opened, Chappell had established a student body of 88 women. By the second year he more than doubled the enrollment, with 268 women attending the college. Women during Chappell's years were trained as teachers, stenographers, bookkeepers, dressmakers, and homemakers. Chappell wanted women to be able to earn money to support themselves and created a curriculum that rejected the traditional teaching of women.

Chappell was reported to have been a great orator and great author, respected by students and the Milledgeville community.

Chappell served as President and lived in the Old Governor's Mansion until he was forced to step down in 1905, due to poor health. He later died in April, 1906 at his mother's home in Columbus, GA. Chappell's body was returned to Milledgeville and was laid to rest in Memory Hill Cemetery. After his death, the Milledgeville paper called for readers to uphold their respect for Chappell by raising funds for a monument at Chappell's gravesite.