Exactly one year after the tragic slaying of four University of Idaho students, the Chapin family is reflecting on the charitable work done in honor of their son, Ethan Chapin. Ethan was a member of the Sigma Chi chapter at the university and his family has established a memorial scholarship fund in his honor. The first scholarship from the fund has been awarded to his brother, Hunter, who is also a member of Sigma Chi.
To commemorate Ethan’s 21st birthday, which would have been last month, the Chapin family attended a Sigma Chi dinner where Ethan and his family were honored. Ethan’s sister, Maizie, also attends the University of Idaho, making it a special moment for the entire family.
On the one-year mark of the murders, the Chapin family is hosting a black-tie fundraising gala to raise funds for future students to achieve their academic goals. Ethan’s parents recently released previously unshared photographs recovered from Ethan’s computer, showcasing his joyful moments with family and friends.
Ethan was a sports and tourism management major and would have graduated in the class of 2025. The university awarded him a posthumous degree at the commencement ceremony. In a surprise twist, Ethan’s mother, Stacy Chapin, was recognized by the Sigma Chi Foundation for her significant contributions to the charity.
The Sigma Chi fraternity has established the Ethan Chapin Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will provide a $5,000 scholarship annually to a fraternity member at the University of Idaho. The fund has already raised over $125,000. Additionally, the Chapin family has created a memorial scholarship foundation called Ethan’s Smile, offering financial assistance to students from their hometown attending the University of Idaho.
The University of Idaho is also working on a memorial garden, which will be designed by architecture students already on campus, as a tribute to the victims. The Chapin family hopes that through these scholarships and memorials, they can honor Ethan’s memory and support other students in pursuing their dreams.
The investigation into the murders led to the arrest of Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminology Ph.D. student from Washington State University. He has pleaded not guilty to four charges of first-degree murder and felony burglary. Kohberger is currently held without bail at the Latah County Jail in Moscow, Idaho.
The Chapin family’s resilience and commitment to honoring Ethan’s legacy serve as a reminder of the strength of the University of Idaho community in the face of tragedy.
