Reflections on the Legacy of Ethan Chapin and First Scholarship Fund Gala

Don't miss the inaugural gala by Ethan’s Smile Foundation, celebrating the memory of a talented individual one year after a tragic incident. The University of Idaho's Sigma Chi fraternity chapter has awarded its first memorial scholarship to Hunter Chapin, brother of the late student Ethan Chapin. In commemoration of Ethan's untimely death and the impact it had on the university and the nation, his family has organized a black-tie fundraising gala to establish a scholarship fund benefiting future students. Ethan's siblings, Maizie and Hunter, both triplets, continue their studies at the university. The gala, hosted by the Chapin family, will take place exactly one year after the devastating incident that claimed the lives of Ethan Chapin and three friends. In addition to the scholarship fund, the family shared previously unreleased photos recovered from Ethan's computer, showcasing his joyous moments with loved ones. Ethan, a sports and tourism management major scheduled to graduate in 2025, was posthumously awarded his degree during the university's spring commencement ceremony. At the ceremony, Stacy Chapin, Ethan's mother, received a special honor from the Sigma Chi Foundation, acknowledging her family's generous contributions to the scholarship fund. The foundation plans to award an annual $5,000 scholarship to a member of the fraternity indefinitely. The generosity of the Chapin family, along with the Sigma Chi fraternity's efforts, has resulted in over $125,000 raised for the Ethan Chapin Memorial Scholarship Fund. Additionally, the family established the Ethan's Smile Foundation, providing financial aid to students from Skagit Valley, Washington, attending the University of Idaho. In collaboration with architecture students from the university, plans are underway to create a memorial garden in Ethan's honor. The Chapin family hopes that through the Ethan’s Smile Foundation and the scholarship fund, they can continue to support students in achieving their educational aspirations. Let us unite in remembrance of Ethan Chapin's spirit and ensure that his legacy lives on through empowering future generations of students.