Hunter Chapin, the triplet brother of the late Ethan Chapin, who was among four University of Idaho students slain nearly a year ago, was awarded the inaugural Ethan Chapin Memorial Scholarship from the Sigma Chi Foundation during a scholarship dinner at the local Sigma Chi Fraternity chapter house in Moscow on Wednesday.
Sigma Chi representatives and members of the Chapin family unveiled a bronze plaque honoring Ethan and the scholarship within the chapter house so future generations will know who he was as a person and brother.
“I’m honored to be receiving the first Ethan Chapin Memorial Scholarship,” said Hunter Chapin. “It makes me feel so happy to see that Sigma Chis around the world honor and care for the undergraduates. We are very fortunate to be able to keep Ethan’s legacy through this scholarship for the rest of the Gamma Eta chapter’s days.”
Ethan’s parents, Stacy and Jim Chapin, also attended the scholarship dinner. Maizie Chapin, Ethan and Hunter’s triplet sister who also is the Idaho chapter’s sweetheart, helped present the award. She is a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta women’s fraternity chapter at the University of Idaho and was among the first donors to the fund that honors the Idaho Sigma Chi “who best exemplifies Ethan’s character, his enthusiasm for life and his smile for everyone around him.”
Maizie used funds from Ethan’s checking account to help start the scholarship, which reached its goal of $125,000 and has since re-opened due to donor requests.
The Chapin family members were the largest donors to the fund, which inspired hundreds of gifts from people as far away as New Zealand and Europe who were struck by the tragedy. Hunter receives $5,000 toward his university tuition.
“My heart goes out to Hunter, his wonderful family and the entire Sigma Chi chapter at UI,” said Sigma Chi Grand Consul (International President) Bob Wilson. “These fine young men showed true dignity and grace during this difficult year. We are here for them.”
“I can’t think of a more deserving and appropriate first recipient of this scholarship than Brother Hunter,” said Sigma Chi Foundation President and General Counsel John Price. “Our entire Fraternity was profoundly saddened by this senseless loss of Ethan and the three other students. But with this inaugural award, we are creating a positive act in the wake of this unspeakable tragedy.”
Hunter and Ethan Chapin (Photo Courtesy of Sigma Chi Fraternity)
