Tim Chapman ‘84

’Forever Scholarships’ help alumnus honor parents, plan for future

Tim Chapman ’84 knows first-hand the impact a scholarship can have on a student’s life. Chapman himself was the recipient of a scholarship while enrolled at The University of Texas at San Antonio.

“When you’re in college, working part-time and trying to make it as a student, every little bit helps,” said Tim. “I was really grateful to have some financial support when I was in college.”

In 2000 Chapman established an annual scholarship at UTSA named The Frank Edward and Beverly Hill Chapman Scholarship in honor of his parents. Chapman later decided to make the scholarship permanent, endowing it through a gift in his will in 2016, the news of which he shared as a heartwarming Christmas present to his mom.

Five years later Chapman created the Timothy D. Chapman Endowed Scholarship through an additional gift in his will. While having a will is recommended by advisors, many American adults do not. For many the idea seems overwhelming, or they just put it off. Chapman described the process as relatively effortless. A visit with Kim West, UTSA’s Gift Planning officer, provided helpful information.

“She came over and went through the paperwork with me, and the whole thing went very smoothly from there,” he said.

Today Chapman, a successful senior software engineer with the brokerage firm Fidelity Investments, continues contributing to his scholarship by providing annual support that also leverages a generous match from his employer. He has fully endowed his parents’s scholarship well ahead of schedule. For over 24 years he has been overjoyed with the immediate impact his scholarship has had on the lives of UTSA students while honoring his beloved parents, bringing his tribute gift full circle.

“I have the ability to share the fruits of my labor and help others, and that makes me happy.”