Creating a Family Legacy
The Perfect Fit
Sharon Carpenter remembers her son, Jacob (Jake) '21, dreaming about a career in film from a very young age. When it came time to choose a film school, he wasn't sure where he wanted to go. However, as soon as he stepped onto Chapman University's campus, Jake knew it was the perfect fit. The sense of community and family drew him in, and no other institution compared. In the fall of 2017, Jake arrived from Tennessee as a freshman.
Family Matters
During his second semester, that sense of family was going to prove essential in helping Jake through a really difficult time. Jake's father, Eddie, was diagnosed with lung cancer, and then Sharon discovered that she had breast cancer. Eddie died the following year as Sharon was undergoing chemotherapy. Chapman did everything possible to support Jake. Dean of Students Jerry Price was quick to reach out and offer Jake any support he might need. At the same time, Professor James Gardner took Jake under his wing and assisted him in switching majors from News and Documentary to Television Writing and Production when it otherwise would have been impossible. Having his Chapman Family believe in him and push him toward his goals changed Jake's life and helped him successfully navigate this challenging period.
A Gift of Gratitude
The Chapman Family helped Jake through a time when his career aspirations could have been sidetracked. Sharon wanted to find a way to give back and thank the university for all it had done to support Jake, personally and academically. When exploring options for legacy planning, she decided that naming Chapman as a meaningful beneficiary of her estate was the perfect way for her to express her gratitude. Wanting her Chapman legacy to be tied with Jake's experience, Sharon invited her son to join her in planning the gift. Because of Jake's transformational class involving a trip to Greece, together, the two chose to create an endowment to provide travel experiences for future Television Writing and Production students. These details are documented through a legacy agreement with the university.
Today, Jake is a proud 2021 alumnus of Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts with a BFA in Television Writing and Production. His future is full of possibilities, and Sharon knows her son will have an amazing career. Sharon is hopeful that her gift will provide other passionate young students with the same opportunity to chase and achieve their dreams.
Inspire Your Legacy
For information about creating your Chapman legacy, contact us.
- David B. Moore (M.A. '09), (714) 516-4590 or [email protected]
- Lindsey Jacobs '09 (M.A. '18), (714) 628-7311 or [email protected]
