Message From the President

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT MAKING STRIDES, EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY

As we at Chapman continue to meet the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is gratifying to see that we continue to make significant progress in a variety of areas. Indeed, even as we take extra care to safeguard our community, we are finding many ways to maintain and even accelerate our university’s forward momentum.

In this issue of Chapman Magazine, we examine the progress and possibilities as we recommit to creating a world in which equity and opportunity are universal. To help achieve this vision, we have taken a number of significant steps. These include:

• Adding $1.5 million to our budget over the next three years to hire new faculty members of color. • Launching a national search to fill the new senior leadership role of vice president and chief diversity officer.

These actions, and our commitment in the last several years, have led to progress we can track and measure concretely. For instance, Latinx students are now at or near the top among Chapman student groups in measures of graduation and retention. Not only the percentage of Latinx students has been steadily increasing, but their retention and graduation have literally jumped over the last several years.

Many people are doing vital work to address issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, including Vice Provost Lawrence “LB” Brown, whom I have asked to serve as presidential advisor on faculty diversification, and Vice President Brian Powell, whom I asked to serve as presidential advisor on staff diversification. Starting on Page 4, you’ll find a conversation in which Brown is joined by Professor Lia Halloran, equal opportunity and diversity officer Albert Roberson and Student Government Association President Philip Goodrich ’22. All are important contributors to the process by which we will continue to make progress. We invite all who care about Chapman to join in shaping our future. In that spirit, Leah Aldridge, who recently joined the faculty of our Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, shares her perspective on helping to enhance a culture of inclusion as a newcomer to the Chapman community.

An example of progress is the support provided by generous donors. A $9 million gift from the Simon Family Foundation is opening doors of opportunity to physician assistant students from underserved communities and with limited resources. On Page 16, you can read more about the Simon Scholar Physician Assistant Program, which will support 10 full scholarships during each of the next five years.

As we work to build a better future for our students, the support of our community inspires us. On Page 30, you’ll learn more about a $5 million gift by the Swenson Family Foundation that has named the Swenson Family Hall of Engineering in our Keck Center for Science and Engineering. This gift will have a profound impact on the lives of current students as it will for generations to come.

Speaking of profound impact, I hope you’ve had a chance to see the display of gratitude by First-Year Foundations students for our beloved Professor Jim Brown, captured in a video that has been shared widely on social media and beyond. A story is on Page 1 of this issue.

The moment encapsulates the ways in which challenging times can bring out the best in caring people of shared purpose and good will. Every day, I see expressions of this generous spirit throughout the Chapman Family.

Thank you for joining in this journey as we seek to expand our community and realize the full measure of Chapman’s promise.

With gratitude,

Daniele C. Struppa

President, Chapman University