Chapman Charitable Trust’s $8 million gift builds lasting legacy for PFW students and northeast Indiana

Gift brings Chapman Scholars Fund Endowment to more than $14.9 million, supporting student opportunity and the region’s future

The Chapman Charitable Trust, with Howard Chapman and Stephen Chapman serving as trustees, has made an $8 million gift to the Chapman Scholars Fund Endowment at Purdue University Fort Wayne. Bringing the endowment’s total to more than $14.9 million, the gift strengthens a family legacy that will benefit generations of PFW students and help build a stronger future for Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana.

The investment carries forward the vision of Howard Chapman and his late wife, Elizabeth “Betsy” Chapman, who passed away in 2019. Their decades of generosity have made them among the university’s major philanthropic supporters and most dedicated champions. Through scholarships, an endowed professorship and service to the university, the Chapmans have demonstrated a lasting belief in education’s ability to transform lives and strengthen communities.

“This extraordinary gift reflects the Chapman family’s enduring confidence in our students, our university and the future of northeast Indiana,” said Ron Elsenbaumer, Purdue Fort Wayne’s chancellor. “The Chapmans are cherished members of our university family, and their influence is woven into the lives of the students they have supported. We are deeply grateful to the Chapmans and The Chapman Charitable Trust for building a legacy that will continue opening doors for PFW students for generations.”

Established in 2007, the Chapman Scholars Program selects incoming freshmen each year who distinguish themselves through academic achievement and involvement beyond the classroom. Scholars may pursue any degree while participating in a comprehensive college experience built around challenging coursework, experiential learning, leadership development and civic engagement.

For each eligible fall and spring semester, scholars receive tuition and class fee credit for up to 18 credit hours, on-campus housing, textbooks and a food stipend. This support makes college more affordable and gives students greater freedom to embrace the experiences that help them discover their strengths, develop their ambitions and prepare for life after graduation.

The endowment’s growth to more than $14.9 million provides a substantial foundation for sustaining those opportunities. It also strengthens a valuable recruiting asset for Purdue Fort Wayne, helping attract exceptional students who seek academic challenge, financial support and meaningful connections on campus and throughout the community.

Those connections are central to the program’s purpose. Chapman Scholars learn that civic engagement contributes to personal growth and to the health and strength of a community. Through experiential learning and service, they encounter regional needs, build relationships and develop skills they can bring to future workplaces and leadership roles.

The benefits can extend directly into the local economy. By helping attract talented students and prepare them for meaningful careers, the Chapman family is investing in the people who can strengthen northeast Indiana’s workforce, contribute to local businesses and lead community organizations. Connections formed during college can also encourage graduates to establish their careers and lives in the region.

“Betsy and I wanted to help students receive an outstanding education and use it to make a difference,” said Howard Chapman. “Our family’s hope is that this legacy will continue through generations of PFW students, helping them build fulfilling lives while contributing to the businesses, organizations and communities that make northeast Indiana strong. We believe in Purdue Fort Wayne and in the lasting value its students bring to this region.”

The Chapmans’ relationship with the university is deeply personal. Betsy earned her bachelor’s degree in English from its predecessor institution after returning to college while raising a family. An accomplished musician and advocate for the arts, she served on the IPFW Foundation board and contributed her time and talents to campus and community life.

Howard’s distinguished legal career and extensive civic leadership reflect the same commitment to service that guides the scholarship program. His involvement in education, the arts, charitable organizations and international exchange has helped strengthen Fort Wayne and its connections with the wider world.

In 2001, Howard and Betsy endowed the university’s first professorship chair, the Chapman Distinguished Professor of English. Purdue University awarded each of them an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 2004.
Their establishment of the Chapman Scholars Program in 2007 extended their commitment directly to students. Originally supporting four incoming scholars annually, the program grew through additional generosity to welcome six each year, supporting as many as 24 active scholarships at a time.

The latest gift ensures that the Chapman family’s legacy remains a living part of the university’s future: students pursuing an affordable education, discovering their potential and preparing to contribute to the world around them. It also offers a compelling example of the lasting impact donors can have through an investment in Purdue University Fort Wayne.

“The Chapman family sees the possibilities in our students and understands how closely their success is connected to the success of this region,” said Chancellor Elsenbaumer. “When our graduates bring their knowledge, creativity and leadership to local employers and communities, an investment in education becomes an investment in economic vitality. We hope the family’s example inspires others to help build that future alongside us.”