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Judge Approves $250K Settlement for College Student’s Death

CLEMSON, S.C. — A judge has approved a $250,000 settlement between Clemson University and the family of a student who died during a fraternity pledge run nearly three years ago.

Court records filed Thursday show Judge Robin Stilwell approved the deal reached earlier this month.

Clemson promises to create a $50,000 endowment in Tucker Hipps’ name for a Boys State camper to attend the university. Clemson also agrees to put Hipps’ name on a pew in a planned student chapel and pursue the possibility of a Hipps memorial golf tournament.

Attorneys will receive $212,000 of the settlement.

Hipps was a 19-year-old sophomore when he went on a run as a pledge with the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity in September 2014. Hipps’ body was found beneath the state Highway 93 bridge over Lake Hartwell.

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