Chapman Now "Spark"

A COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED, OFF-THE-DEEP-END SUMMER 2015 ISSUE OF CHAPMAN MAGAZINE

Hope You’re Ready for a Little Adventure Dear Readers:

Welcome to this issue of Chapman Now – and yes, I know, it looks a little different from previous versions of this special publication from Chapman Magazine. The creative minds in our Strategic Marketing and Communications office have come up with a concept that reflects Chapman’s culture of innovation and willingness to take a risk.

It’s not a comic book – it’s a graphic novel. Well, OK, it’s a comic book, too. In it you’ll follow the adventures of Chapman students as they face a crisis, pull together and use their Chapman-honed talents to change the future.

It’s fun, but it’s also reflective of a Chapman reality: our graduates thrive as risk-takers; they go out into the world with the confidence to launch businesses, create great art, and take the lead in research and in their communities. It’s a poise and assurance that starts at Chapman, where our vibrant campus community values entrepreneurial thinking and taking chances that lead to great things.

I can’t wait to hear what you think of this issue.* Until then, as the legendary Stan Lee always says, “Excelsior!”** Regards, Jim Doti President of Chapman University *This isn’t what Chapman Now will look like in our future. It’s a creative experiment. **Excelsior: Latin word meaning “higher” or “ever upward.” Not a bad motto, that.

Writer: Brittany Hanson Artist: Ross Loehner ’04 (MLD ’16) Editors: Mark Woodland, Mary Platt, Dennis Arp Contributors: Ryan Tolentino ’02, Dawn Bonker

Diego, He’s Gone!

Spark’s Gone!

It was an accident!

His thesis Sonata blew through the portal ... it actually opened ... he’s in the Future!

Nicola, what did your quantum research get you into now?!

it’s complicated.

I’ll show you the equations ... later.

So it’s a wormhole?

All i see are your energy coils.

We go after him.

you know, Sometimes I worry about your ideas.

So ... now what?

and by sometimes, i mean all the time.

meanwhile ...

I can’t believe she did it.

Where am I?

when am I?

what are you doing outside?! you’re going to get solar-burned.

Well, At least the musco center is intact.

what the ... ?

you must be new here - I’m Andreey.

is that music?

yes, perfect music.

technically, yes ... but where’s the heart?

what do you mean?

here, I’ll show you.

elsewhere ... ugh. Where did you take us, NIcola?

Well, we know we’re still at Chapman. wow, they sure did a great job with the center for science and technology! and look who it’s named for.

Hello!! Welcome to Chapman University!

I’m Ceeri, your guide to the Chapman campus.

come on this journey, she says. we’ll be fine, she says.

we are fine, just have to get our bearings. When you have a big question, where do you go for answers?

i don’t think my r.a. is still around.

Funny. I’m talking about the library.

When in doubt, find a librarian!

I feel Like that thing is going to get annoying.

Continue to the Leatherby Librariadome for improved research capabilities!

Welcome to Leatherby Librariadome!

Please select a research pod!

Let’s see if search engines have improved over a hundred years.

ceeri, where is Spark ?

Finding ‘SPARK’ ...

The spark of joy died in 2112.

The spark of creativity died in 2090 ...

The spark of hope died in 2103 ...

Did we just bingewatch the future? This is horrible! How could this happen?

I know EVERYONE didn’t stop caring.

What about our renewable-energy research? That clean-tech startup you launched?

Right. And there’s so much more we can do.

Remember, we’re still the future in OUR time.

But first we need to find Spark and get back home.

I think I know where our Spark would end up.

meanwhile ...

It’s so different … moving ... creative ...

authentic!

I don’t think I’ve ever played my thesis composition with this much passion.

Nothing like a little inspiration. This hall was always meant for great things.

This ... everyone needs to hear this!

Everyone!

Listen Up! THERE’S A NEW STUDENT HERE, AND HE’S GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE!

look, it’s Spark!

Didn’t take him long to build a fan base.

Wow! sounds great!

He’s been practicing!

yeah, but more important, we found spark!

Gotcha, Buddy!

Maybe next time stay away from my experiments!

You know all those hours I had to listen to you struggle with this piece … totally worth it!

Always the Pied Piper.

And you two always have my back. Once a Panther …

Listen, I hate to be that guy, but since I’m like a hundred years late for my Leadership Studies class, maybe we should head back.

Oh, right. Back to campus … and to 2015.

no!

Why’d he stop?!

where’s he going?

Wait, you’re from the past?!

But your music. How can we hear more?

Here, TAKE MY VIOLIN AND SHEET MUSIC.

I’ll teach you.

Ceeri will help. just remember to play from the heart!

wow! Thank You!

now hurry!

Or You’re going to get swept up in encores.

Goodbye, Andreey!

Guys, the portal readings are looking unsteady.

NIcola, better shut it down as soon as we’re through!

Nicolaaa ... Now!

I’ll have to use the emergency Shut-off.

so much for the student research award.

Whew! THAT WAS CLOSE.

Next Semester

So, what are you doing over Interterm? because Nicola and I have some ideas about how we can help create a better future.

Welcome to my vlog, budding violinists.

In this first episode of the new season, we’ll be working on “Andreey’s Sonata.”

2115

Welcome back, Andreey!

This can get a little tricky, so do your best …

... and remember to play from the heart!

until next time ...

Don’t worry.

I’m working on clean energy.

No more time travel, Nicola.

all it takes is a little ...

Chapman Magazine (USPS #007643) is published quarterly by Chapman University. © 2015 Chapman University. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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The Art of the Story

Not that anyone could ever be bored during a staff meeting at Chapman University, but somehow Chapman Magazine editors learned that Web content manager Ross Loehner ’04 (MLD ’16) does the best doodles ever.

Now Loehner’s talent for illustration is out there for all to enjoy.

When the editors decided to reimagine this special summer issue of Chapman Now as a fanciful graphic novel, they knew they could draw on Loehner’s digital artistry. But they also knew they could count on his talent for collaborating with other creative storytellers.

“A graphic novel gives you free reign to have fun telling a story. I really like when art and communication come together.” said Loehner, whose day job is helping to tell compelling visual stories on Chapman’s website.

Loehner has been drawing since he was a child, and these days his free time often finds him in the glow of his home computer, creating “goofy, weird characters” with an electronic pen and graphic-pad tablet.

Interestingly, art study was not the centerpiece of Loehner’s Chapman undergrad experience. Instead he focused on communication

advertising, fueling his passion for “being the best communicator possible.”

The experimentation that drove this story connects more with his ongoing Chapman graduate studies in leadership development, Loehner says.

“The program is definitely pushing me beyond what’s comfortable,” he notes. “It has opened me up to the social impact of my work and the power of art to drive change.”

The chance to bring to life the characters on these pages flipped Loehner’s own power switch.

And this won’t be his last graphic-driven story, although the next one might look very different.

“This story doesn’t have enough giant monsters,” he says with a smile. “My next one will have 40-foot robots.”

Follow Ross on Instagram @agentsketch.