Philanthropists Give $1.5 Million to IPFW
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIPFW has received an additional $1.5 million from a local couple. The funding from Howard and Betsy Chapman boosts their prior commitment of $3 million and will go toward scholarships and support the Honors Program. September 17, 2013
News Release
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) is proud to announce that local philanthropists and civic leaders Howard and Elizabeth (Betsy) Chapman have donated $1.5 million dollars to the university for the Chapman Scholars Program and evolving Honors Program. The donation is in addition to an existing $3 million dollar pledge from the Chapmans and will continue to support the successful Chapman Scholars Program by directly funding student scholarships, community engagement, and experiential opportunities, as well as serving the needs of the Honors Program. Today's $1.5 million gift will bring the Chapman's total giving to over $7 million.
“We are extremely grateful for this gift and the opportunities this creates to inspire, challenge, and celebrate our outstanding students,” said Chancellor Vicky Carwein. “The Chapmans established the Chapman Scholars Program to incorporate civic engagement with scholarship opportunities. We look forward to being able to continually offer these exceptional opportunities to our talented students who will become future leaders in our communities and beyond.”
The Chapman Scholars Program is one of the premier competitive, merit-based scholarships in Indiana. It is recognized for combining civic engagement opportunities with outstanding scholarship options. The program selects incoming freshmen who are distinguished as high achievers in and out of the classroom each year. Chapman Scholars receive tuition, fees, room and board, and textbooks for four years. The program develops engaged scholars who understand that civic engagement is key to personal growth as well as the growth and strength of a community.
“By providing Chapman Scholars the opportunity to study and live at IPFW, these students are actively engaged in challenging coursework, experiential learning, leadership development, and civic engagement throughout their university experience,” said Howard Chapman, president of the Waterfield Foundation and administrator of the Chapman Fund.
Chapman and his wife Elizabeth (Betsy) Waterfield Chapman have made a deep and far-reaching impact in the Fort Wayne, Indiana community. They are considered by many to be role models for volunteerism and citizenship. After pausing in her collegiate career to raise a family, Elizabeth returned to IPFW. At the age of 39, she was awarded a bachelor’s degree in English.
In addition to the Chapman Scholars Program, the Chapmans have donated funds to endow the Chapman Distinguished Endowed Professorship in the Department of English and Linguistics and the Chapman Exchange Students/Sister Cities Fund.
Of the new gift, one million dollars will go to fund the Chapman Scholars program, while $500,000 will be used to renovate space for the Honors Program. The Honors Program is currently in the process of being re-imagined and re-organized as part of a campus-wide initiative led by the Honors Program Transition team.
“The designation of this gift for the Chapman Scholars as well as the honors program demonstrates the commitment to academic excellence and engaged learning in this community,” said Bell. “The new vision and support for these programs will be transformative for the students at IPFW. We are extremely grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Chapman for all they have done for IPFW, and the significant impact they are having in the lives of the Chapman Scholars.”
For more information contact Nicole Wilkins, chief communications officer, 260-481-4174, wilknn01@ipfw.edu.
Source: IPFW