Chapman University may be located in Orange, but the school has a host of supporters from the greater Newport Beach area, so it was fitting that the annual Women of Chapman Summer Luncheon was held last month at the Balboa Bay Resort.
Women of Chapman is Chapman University’s 45-year-old support group (founded in 1971) that has contributed nearly $7 million to the university. The 250-member group is currently fulfilling a $1 million pledge to the university’s Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Center for the Arts and a $500,000 pledge to Dodge College of Film and Media Arts’ Digital Media Arts Center. The board of directors just committed $1 million to the university’s Center for Science and Technology, due to open in 2017.
The luncheon, which was attended by more than 100 members and numerous guests, recognized 20 new members as well as its outgoing and incoming boards of directors.
The main focus of the luncheon was to present endowment monies to deserving Dodge College (at Chapman University) student filmmakers.
Women of Chapman established a $1 million endowment to give outstanding film students monies for their senior projects, a requirement for graduation.
This year’s recipients included Wyatt Lake ($3,500), Andrew Primavera ($3,500), Robert “Robby” Bracker ($10,000), Kendall Goldberg ($12,000), and Lane Lyle ($16,000).
WOC President Barbara Eidson presented a $224,500 check to Chapman University President Dr. Jim Doti as the group’s
contribution for the 2015-2016 year. The main portion of the gift was from the group’s only fundraiser, “Christmas at The Ritz,” which is held annually at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach.
Doti acknowledged the gift, as well as Bob Bassett, Dean of Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Doti was honored for his 25 years as Chapman University President (he officially retires August 31, 2016). He was presented a carved wooden panther walking stick, in commemoration of his climbing some of the highest peaks in the world.
“This is my last presentation as President, but all good things must come to an end,” Doti told the audience. “What this organization has done for Chapman—miracles often happen with no explanation, but this has an explanation. You have raised the bar at Chapman. That this group has done goes beyond the financial support. You have given Chapman University a personality. You have spread the word that Chapman is a place for people, somewhere you want to be.”
Luncheon Co-Chairs were Donna Bunce and Donna Calvert.
For more information on Chapman University and Women of Chapman, visit Chapman.edu.
