TOWN & GOWN
President’s Message Forty-five years ago, Town & Gown became an official support group to Chapman University. Its purpose was to foster a relationship between the community (town) and the college (gown) by stimulating countywide interest in Chapman and raising money to support its programs. We continue to honor the founders’ mission and welcome all who desire to have a personal connection with this thriving university. Through our outstanding Lunch at the Forum series starring the Chapman faculty, we are educated, entertained and motivated. We meet new people and lasting friendships are often formed. The series is self-supporting, not a fundraiser. Our most important mission is providing student scholarships. Through the years, 25 students have received our support, many of them for their entire college career. You will get to meet them at our luncheons and through Talk of the Town. Unlike most support groups, we do not have major fundraising events or raff les. Your membership dues and any donations are used to fund our student scholarships and campus projects. However, in honor of our 45th anniversary, we are making an exception and offering an opportunity to make a special donation to T&G’s Endowed Scholarship Fund. We would like to do more for our students, and your gift of any amount will be greatly appreciated. A special 45th Anniversary donor card will be mailed to you and also available at our celebration on May 2. I hope to see you there.
SPRING 2013
Celebrate 45 Years with Us at Our Annual Luncheon, May 2 It is only fitting that Dr. Myron Yeager, professor of English in the Wilkinson College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is the featured speaker at our special celebration luncheon on May 2. Affectionately referred to as the “Voice of Town & Gown,” Dr. Yeager has been the narrator for each of the anniversary videos shown at our four previous luncheons. Using his experiences in teaching, research and service for more than three decades, Dr. Yeager will trace changes in education at Chapman during the period T&G has been making a difference on campus. He says, “While change is constant, so is constant, and T&G has been a critical part of the unique change.” “Many talk about the old and the new Chapman. The new Chapman University must embrace its traditions and where it has come from, as well as anticipate where it is going in the future. Despite the changes we’ve seen in 45 years, something
is wonderfully the same about Chapman.” As we reflect on the past 45 years, we remember with gratitude those who have supported T&G’s programs and Dr. Myron Yeager look to the future with enthusiasm, knowing we can count on your help to accomplish even more. All of our former luncheon speakers have been invited to attend, and we look forward to seeing you there too. For those who do not have luncheon series tickets, reservations can be made by calling 714-997-6563 or online at www.chapman.edu/tg. Penni McRoberts ’71 Co-1st VP, Program
Reaching Our Goal for 45 New Members Edging ever closer to the goal of 45 new members, the Board of Directors and the 45th Anniversary Committee celebrate our newest members, Dr. Julye Bidmead, Christine and Lon Cross, Bernice Francis, Kathy Peterson and Life Members Susie and Doug Willits. You are the latest of a long line of members who built, and continue to build, an incredible support organization for the Chapman University community. We hope your membership in Town & Gown will be a rewarding experience.
Join the 45 in 45 Membership Drive. Only a few more members will put us over the top! Encourage friends, parents, grandparents, relatives and colleagues to join. Applications are always available at Forum luncheons, online at www.chapman.edu/tg or by calling 714-997-6563, and memberships are accepted throughout the year. Lynn Kinder Huston ’68 (M.A.’76) 3rd Vice President, Membership
Town Talk Happy Birthday to Us! On Saturday, April 6, Orange will celebrate 125 years as an incorporated city, the third largest in Orange County. We are planning to make this important milestone an event to remember with an old-time neighborhood-style block party in the historic Plaza of Old Towne Orange. We will be closing the Plaza to vehicle traffic that day and will start our celebration at noon with music at the Plaza
By Paul Sitkoff, City of Orange stage, food booths, a children’s activity area and a community photo. Festivities will continue until 2:30 p.m., and the Orange Public Library will hold special activities before and after the event. Those who attend are encouraged to wear orange. At 1 p.m., local churches will be asked to ring their bells in honor of our city’s incorporation. A marching band will make its way to Plaza Park, followed by a presentation honoring our city, its long-term residents, its business and service groups. The presentation will culminate in the ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake. We are also introducing the 125th
Birthday Street Banner program. For $200, residents and businesses can sponsor banners with their names or their company names. The banners will be placed on the light poles on East Chapman Avenue between Cambridge and Tustin streets. We are working hard to make this event a grand celebration, but details are subject to change as circumstances require. For all the latest information on Orange’s 125th Birthday Celebration, visit us on Facebook, www.facebook. com/cityoforange, or on the Web at www.cityoforange.org. You are invited to come and help us celebrate.
How to Buy a Piano – A Chapman Story It was 1961. Chapman College had been located in Orange for seven years and was becoming widely known for its efforts to enrich the cultural life of the community. An internationally famous pianist was scheduled to perform for the school’s 19611962 Artist-Lecture Series, and, as it did for all important performances, the school had to rent a concert grand piano for the occasion. However, there was a unique way to “purchase” one, and the Woman’s Campus Club (a Chapman support group at the time) spearheaded the effort. Newspaper articles and letters preserved in the Chapman archives fill us in on most of the story. Through a cooperative program with S&H Green Stamps, Frontier Stamps and Alpha Beta Markets, the Woman’s Campus Club set out to collect 1,875 books of trading stamps, enough for a Steinway concert grand, valued at $7,250. The club went about its task enthusiastically, placing articles and ads in newspapers and writing letters to the community. A letter to the editor of the Orange City News, dated March 2, 1961, outlined the project, asking readers to help by donating books of trading stamps. The newspaper also assisted as one of the collection sites for the books. Alpha Beta Markets was a generous supporter of this project, and the Assistance League of Orange was among the first groups recognized for donating 10 or more books of stamps. Eventually,
books of any kind of trading stamps were University has been designated an EPIC accepted, since they could be “swapped” at School (Elite Performance Instrument the redemption center. The archives do not Collection) by the Kawai America Corp. In 1961, no one could have envisioned the tell us what happened next, but we do know this story has a successful conclusion. impressive collection of pianos Chapman On Feb. 14, 1962, John L. Davis, president would someday possess. However, the first of Chapman College, wrote a letter to Mrs. concert grand, purchased with trading Ralph Smith, president of the Woman’s stamps, will always have a special place in Campus Club, in which he expressed his the history of the university. “deepest thanks and gratitude to every member of the Club” after hearing “the Carol Howansky magnificent Steinway Concert Grand.” He Co-Editor concluded by saying, “I know you take real Note: I love everything about this story which defines satisfaction in this accomplishment.” the spirit of Chapman University. It shows what can More than 50 years have gone by since be accomplished with ingenuity, perseverance and Chapman acquired its first concert grand, cooperation; it involves the community; and it achieves a desired goal. T&G members, Martha Garrett and which served the college well, providing Jane Winterroth participated in this project, as did Dr. many years of enjoyment. Eventually William Hall, dean of the Musco Center for the Arts, it was sold. The university now has an when he joined the faculty 50 years ago. outstanding conservatory of music with the distinction of owning a 9-foot Shigeru Kawai performance grand piano, built by hand to exacting specifications, one of only 10 in the world! In addition, the conservatory owns two handmade 7-foot Shigeru Kawai pianos for the Duo Piano Studio and 62 acoustic Kawai pianos used in classrooms and The 9-foot Shigeru Kawai – one of only 10 in the world! practice rooms. Chapman
Gown Talk
Special Messages from Chapman University
When California television icon and recent friend of our university Huell Howser first set foot on our campus, he was so struck by the Chapman spirit – the palpable excitement for life and learning – that he instantly knew that he wanted Chapman to be the home for his legacy, the Huell Howser California’s Gold Archive. Interestingly, I had a very similar experience when I first came to campus as a professor of economics nearly forty years ago. There’s just something special – dynamic, entrepreneurial, passionate – about Chapman’s students, alumni, faculty, staff and the many members of the Southern California community who come to Chapman to enrich their lives through learning and fellowship in a collegial environment. Of course, I’m referring to the members of Town & Gown, whose generosity has enhanced our campus and helped our students to pursue their dreams, and whose love of knowledge and learning has contributed to the vibrant Chapman spirit for 45 years. Congratulations, Town & Gown, for achieving this special milestone. And many, many thanks for your continued support and especially for your commitment to lifelong learning and the spirit of Chapman University. President James L. Doti, Ph.D. Donald Bren Distinguished Chair in Business and Economics
It is my great pleasure to congratulate and thank the members of Town & Gown for 45 years of service to Chapman University. Chapman has come far in this time – growing from a small local college into a prominent, nationally-ranked university. And each step of the way, the members of Town & Gown have been there to help us hone, highlight and serve our mission for the community. As you know, Town & Gown has generously supported an array of important initiatives at Chapman, which has included sponsoring the United States flag on our Argyros Global Citizens Plaza, the Town & Gown Gardens at Elliott Alumni House and the new James L. and Lynne P. Doti Hall, among many others. I was also delighted to learn that the Town & Gown Scholarship has helped more than 25 students to achieve a Chapman University education. I hope this gives you tremendous pride as you reflect on your years of collective philanthropy. Happy 45th Anniversary, Town & Gown! Thank you for making a difference at Chapman University. Sheryl A. Bourgeois, Ph.D. Executive Vice President for University Advancement
Meet Poya Osgouei In the winter issue of Talk of the Town, we featured a message from Derrick Ortega, one of our two 2012-13 scholarship recipients. Members of Town & Gown have good reason to be proud of Derrick and Poya Osgoui, our other scholarship recipient. Poya impressed our scholarship committee with his academic achievements and his desire to “make this world a better place.” Following is his message to us: Hi! My name is Poya Osgoui. I don’t know how many of you know this, but the T&G scholarship program has a much higher return on investment than Poya Osgoui ’13 Apple, Microsoft or any other company! Your investment in my education has allowed me to attend an excellent institution and to graduate from my dream school. This academic year I was able to achieve a GPA of 4.0, visit and study in our nation’s capital, be mentored in the launching of my own product and, most importantly, develop as a person. Now it is my obligation to give back and help others in need. I feel very lucky and very humble to have the opportunity to attend Chapman University. The financial help I have received has created a chain reaction, because helping me obtain a college degree has led to more opportunity for me to help others. I hope this chain reaction never stops. I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for helping me achieve my goals and dreams. We congratulate these two young men on their outstanding achievements and wish them every success as they graduate from Chapman and continue on their chosen paths. Kathy Paukstis Director, Gift/Scholarship
Editors’ Note This is our last issue as co-editors of Talk of the Town, and we leave with a sense of gratitude for all the good people we counted on to prepare each issue for publication and for the words of encouragement we received. Thank you. It was a learning process for us, and you made the job easier and more enjoyable.
Carol and Carroll Howansky Co-Editors
IN MEMORIAM
Our sympathy goes to the families of Town & Gown members R. S. (Mike) Hoyt, Jr. Bonnie McRae and we remember Huell Howser,
friend of Chapman University and Town & Gown
Slate of Officers Presented for Election
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President 1st Vice President, Programs 2nd Vice Presidents Special Events 3rd Vice Presidents, Membership Treasurer Recording Secretary Corresponding Secretary Parliamentarian DIRECTORS Awards Chaplain
Penni McRoberts Linda Ruth Judy Crum Donna Gladson Lynn Domer Fran Lewis Barbara Post Nancy Fleeman Anne Wood Ann Avery Andres Nancy Brink Beverly Weatherill
members, please thank them for all their efforts and hard work. They are: Ann Avery Andres, Charlene Baldwin, Margie King, Barbara Parker and Marcia Cooley (consultant). Roseanne Bye Director, Nominations
Gift/Scholarship Historian Hospitality Handbook/Roster Editor Nominations Online Communications Talk of the Town Editor
Donna Attallah Rhea Black Barbara Parker Karen Reese Betty Rivera Linda Mueller Kathy Paukstis Ray Fleeman Melida Canfield
SPECIAL ADVISORS TO THE PRESIDENT Immediate Past President Marcia Cooley Charlene Baldwin Kathleen Barker Betty Bartley
Shirley Lapier Mary Lou Savage Eric Scandrett
THANK YOU...........Let’s give a round of applause for our multi-talented, hardworking president, Marcia Cooley, who has done a superior job at the helm of Town & Gown these past two years. Her tireless energy and wry sense of humor have endeared her to us all. She will be handing the gavel over to our new president at the end of May, but before she does we want to say, “Thank you, Madam President, for a job well done!” MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Nancy Asper Carol Howansky Bill Amneus Carroll Howansky Fay Amneus Darlene Knoop Don Blair Loraine Cheverton Lacey Marlene Blair Jill McCauley Sandee Collier Joyce Miller Pat Elliott Bob Stockton Hugh Galt Anita Storck Lynn Galt Lois Zechiel LIAISONS Chapman University University Advancement Faculty
Joanne Jurczyk Dale Merrill
COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE City of Orange Paul Sitkoff
Chapman University One University Drive Orange, CA 92866
The Nominating committee submitted the slate of officers for 2013-2014 at the February Board of Directors meeting. Additional nominations will be accepted from the floor at the annual meeting luncheon on May 2, at which time the officers will be elected and installed. When you see the Nominating committee