Town & Gown
TALK President’s Message It hardly seems possible that our 2013–2014 Lunch at the Forum series is wrapping up on May 1. Our program committee is already laying the groundwork for another exciting season. Showcasing our professors and their students is the easy part; selecting only five speakers each year from an enormous pool of talent is always the challenge. Town & Gown membership letters will go out this month. I hope that , if you have enjoyed our events and the nearly sold-out luncheons this year, you will join or renew your membership. Dues are 100% tax deductible and help to grow our endowed scholarship fund which provides funding – in perpetuity – for students in need of financial assistance as well as special Town & Gown campus projects. Membership is a genuine investment in the future of both Chapman students and the University campus. You will note in this issue our slate of officers for 2014-2015. One amazing element of our working board is that members simply do not want to rotate off. The rule is that after three two-year terms, board members must step down for at least a year to give others a chance to serve. Most line up again after a year’s sabbatical enthusiastically waiting to re-enlist! If you think you would like to be a part of an extraordinary board, please let me know of your interest. I’m in the roster. I look forward to seeing you at the Forum.
Penni McRoberts President
of THE
SPRING 2014
TOWN
Lunch at the Forum Twentieth Season Concludes with “Edutainment”: Education or Entertainment? Higher Education in the Internet Age On May 1, Associate Professor William L. Cumiford, Ph.D. ’63, Department of History, Wilkinson College of Humanities and Social Sciences, will be the guest speaker at Town & Gown’s Annual Meeting Luncheon. His presentation will be on “Edutainment:” Education or Entertainment? He will look at higher education in the Internet Age. With all the electronic devices at the fingertips of students today, enabling them to receive and transmit information and play games at nearly warp speed, how do you keep their attention in a slow moving classroom? Dr. Cumiford recognizes and appreciates the need to teach students differently than when we older adults attended college. American higher education stands at a critical juncture in the early 21st century as traditional classroom instruction gradually yields to various modes of on-line education which raises questions about the changing nature of learning and the acquisition of knowledge. Dr. Cumiford will address the question of how our ideas of “knowledge” and “learning” are being affected in the Information Age. He will also discuss the potential consequences of bringing education and the entertainment media together in redefining higher education in the new millennium. Linda Ruth 1st VP, Programs
T&G Angel Collects Angels Town & Gown board member Donna Attallah’s angel collection has grown so large (5,150) that she now houses it in its own condominium near her residence! At Christmastime she has enough angel ornaments to decorate numerous trees. A Chapman alumna, class of ‘61, and director of Town & Gown’s gift committee, Donna also is a member of Chapman’s board of trustees. She and her late husband, Fahmy, have been responsible for a number of important contributions to the university, including the Fahmy Attallah, Ph.D. Piazza, the Fahmy and Donna Ford ’61 Attallah, Ph.D. Library of Arts and Humanities and the Donna Ford Attallah Academy for Teaching and Learning at the College of Educational Studies. A native of Victorville, California, Donna retired after 40 years as a kindergarten and first grade teacher in the Cypress School District. In the meantime, she met and married Egyptian-born Fahmy, a school psychologist, poet and an astute businessman. Donna continues to give of her time, her talents and her resources, to both T&G and to Chapman. Now she has a new acquisition: a cute dachshund puppy named “Sammy” who accompanied her to the Winterfest dressed as “Sammy Claus.” Anita Storck Editorial Board
Welcome to New Members
town talk
Renewal letters will be coming your way in April. Dues are 100% tax-deductible and will go towards our pledge to the Elliott Alumni House and our commitment to the Town & Gown Endowed Scholarship. Each year we hear from the student scholarship recipients about how much their scholarship has enhanced their college experience. Encourage your friends and relatives to join the Town & Gown family, or invite them to attend one of our events. Fran Lewis and Lynn Marie Domer Co-3rd VPs, Membership
2014 American Celebration Opening Night Alert Once again Town & Gown members will be offered the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance for the 2014 Opening Night performance of American Celebration at the May1 Lunch at the Forum. Early ticket purchase allows members to select choice seats before ticket sales go “live” online in June. If you have any questions please call the Special Events Office at 714-628-2750.
Paul Sitkoff city of orange
Perception/Reality
Town & Gown is pleased to welcome our newest members: Marjorie and James Bekkedahl, Ann Broadwell, Therese Duggan, Claudia Horn, Darcy Fudge Kamal, Mary-Ellen and Carl Manning, Linda Tuman and Dora J. Wann. Membership in Town & Gown offers so much to each of us. Not only do we make new friends at our series luncheons, but we have the opportunity to attend member-only events on campus and enjoy interesting field trips. Our prime endeavors are to fund scholarships for Chapman students and to support our many projects around campus, currently The Town & Gown Gardens at Elliott Alumni House. We also enhance our own knowledge and understanding of world events from Chapman professors, who speak at the luncheons.
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When I tell someone I work in Orange, it’s a sure bet that I’ll get a response that sounds like, “It’s such a great small town!” Small town? We certainly feel like a small town, but here are some facts to put things in a little perspective: Orange is one of the 200 largest cities in the United States by population. At nearly 140,000 residents, we beat out New Haven, Connecticut, Allentown Pennsylvania, and even Pasadena, California. To service all of these residents, the City maintains 450 miles of water main pipes, 16 water reservoirs, 327 miles of road and 22 parks. Orange boasts the largest registered Historic District in California, three major hospitals, two centers of higher education (I’m looking at you, Chapman!) and the only outlet mall in Orange County. We have two Best Buys and Two Home Depots! We’re a center for commerce, and have one of the world’s largest stone importers right here in our city. The Orange County Transportation Authority plans transit for the entire county from their headquarters in – you guessed it – Orange! So the next time you hear someone talk about Orange, and they mention, “small town,” look them in the eye and tell them, “Maybe… in our hearts.”
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY Meet the bright and shining new member of the Chapman Panther family, introduced this past December at the 2013 Winterfest. This radiantly beautiful panther was found climbing the Alumni Tower of Beckman Hall for only a few weeks in December, but plans to return each year. Unlike her sisters who are made of bronze, she is a realistic light sculpture, made of a wire frame with more than 5,000 LED lights, a creation of artist Bryan Tjomsland. Her name is Dee, in honor of the wife of Chapman Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Doy Henley. She joins her sisters, Holly, Kathie, Suki, Harriet and baby Shanna, who are displayed throughout the campus in permanent locations. Not so with their younger sister, Jamie, a sleek beauty on wheels. Though she resides in the Parker Atrium Lobby (named in honor of T&G members Barbara and Bill Parker) of the Nancy and James Baldwin Family Pavilion in the Lastinger Athletics Complex she is able to attend all Chapman games and athletic functions. Their lineage can be traced back to 1925 when their great-grandfather, a lifesize panther made of papier-mache, was obtained from a movie studio and presented to Chapman by the graduating class of that year. Undoubtedly, he would be very proud of all of them. Carol Howansky Editorial Board
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Dean Bob Bassett
Twyla Reed Martin Dean’s Chair, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
I’m writing this at this year’s Sundance Film Festival where we have gathered a group of Chapman students and alumni to celebrate the selection of Justin Simien’s (’05) film, Dear White People for the U.S. Dramatic Competition—a Chapman first in the Dramatic Competition. Named one of “10 Directors to Watch” by Variety, Justin’s satirical look at race relations on a fictional Ivy League campus is exactly the kind of incisive storytelling we try to cultivate in all of our students. Our students and alumni continue to win notice in festivals around the country and the world, and so I expect we will see more films at Sundance in the years to come. We are also seeing widening impact from the documentaries that our students produce for local non-profits and NGOs in Africa as well as the stories they tell about women empowering women through our Project W series. Also upcoming is Trigger, the first feature from Chapman Filmed Entertainment, our unique production company funded through venture philanthropy. A thriller starring Scott Glenn, I guarantee this film will make your hair stand on end when you think about “the ordinary man.” We are in the final phases of post-production and are talking with distributors to get the film out. Being at Sundance reminds me of the incredible impact of good storytelling in our world. Watching people brave the cold and stand in line for hours tells you how much we love film. And that love is clearly a global phenomenon. Not only do we continue to see astonishing work from filmmakers in other countries, but educators and industry leaders continue to reach out to Chapman seeking partnerships in film education. In addition to our current partnerships in Singapore, Korea and Taiwan, we are in talks with friends in India and China that may bring us an even wider global reach.
And the Winner Is . . . Town & Gown on the Red Carpet Grauman’s Chinese Theater was the first stop on our grand Hollywood tour. Our guide regaled us with theater history past and present. Along the way he called our attention to the original fixtures, paintings and display cases featuring dresses worn by the likes of Mary Martin and Julie Andrews. Watching some opening trailers on the new IMAX screen was an additional treat. Outside the theater we heard stories about the history of the many hand and foot prints which included Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, John Wayne and Sid Grauman. Our personal guide met us at the entrance of the Dolby Theater, home of the Academy Awards ceremonies. Town & Gown members watched the award show to see which star was sitting in the front row seats that they occupied in this grand venue. An Oscar statuette, a visit to the Dolby Lounge, and celebrity hot spots concluded a wonderful tour. We will view the Academy Awards through new eyes. Judy Crum and Donna Gladson 2nd VP’s, Special Events
Meet Chad King, 20132014 Town & Gown Scholarship Recipient Chad King grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania as the oldest of four children. He started making movies before high school, using his family’s camcorder to film his siblings and neighborhood friends. This love of filmmaking brought him to Chapman University. He recently returned from a semester at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. He had an incredible adventure filled with personal growth. Now he is serving as a resident advisor to first year Dodge College students and is striving to positively impact the residents in building strong relationships and friendships. His biggest project this semester involved making a documentary for the class Project W – Women Making a Change. With a small team, he worked to capture the story of an inspiring woman facing adversity. His passion for both filmmaking and social justice has led to discovery of ways to combine them. After graduation, he hopes to produce meaningful films. The Town & Gown scholarship made this school year and the Project W documentary possible. This scholarship, combined with his resident advisor position, allowed him to completely pay for this year’s tuition without taking out any student loans. Rhea Black Director, Scholarship
in memoriam Our sympathy goes to the families of Town & Gown members Frances M. Laster Mary J. Smith June Williams
Kathy Paukstis Director Nominations EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Penni McRoberts 1st Vice President Programs Linda Ruth 2nd Vice President Sandee Collier Special Events Darlene Knoop 3rd Vice President Lynn Domer Membership Roseanne Bye Treasurer Barbara Post
DIRECTORS Awards Chaplain Gifts Historian Hospitality Handbook and Roster Editor Nominations Online Communications Scholarship Talk of the Town Editor
Hugh Galt Lynn Galt Marge Carter Donna Attallah Barbara Parker Karen Reese Betty Rivera Linda Mueller Shauna Farley Ray Fleeman Rhea Black Nancy Asper
SPECIAL ADVISORS TO THE PRESIDENT Immediate Past President Marcia Cooley Charlene Baldwin Shirley Lapier Kathleen Barker Mary Lou Savage
Betty Bartley
Eric Scandrett
MEMEBERS-AT-LARGE Marlene Blair Carroll Howansky Donald Blair Loraine Cheverton Lacey John Deacon Jill McCauley Sharon Deacon Joyce Miller Pat Elliott Dr. Jeanne Walker Donna Gladson Lois Zechiel Dr. Cristina Giannantonio Jody Zuvich Carol Howansky LIAISONS Chapman University University Advancement Joanne Jurczyk Faculty Dale Merrill COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE City of Orange
Paul Sitkoff
For more information about T&G please go to to our website at www.chapman.edu/tg or call 714-997-6563
Chapman University One University Drive Orange, CA 92866
The Nominating committee submitted the slate of officers for 2014-2015 at the February Board of Directors meeting. Additional nominations will be accepted from the oor at the annual meeting luncheon on May 1, at which time the officers will be elected and installed. When you see the nominating committee members, please thank them for all their efforts and hard work. They are Charlene Baldwin, Sharon Deacon, Shauna Farley, Mary Lou Savage and Loraine Lacey.
Recording Secretary Nancy Fleeman Corresponding Secretary Anne Wood Parliamentarian Ann Avery Andres
ATTENTION Advance ticket sale at May 1 Forum for Opening Night American Celebration
SLATE OF OFFICERS PRESENTED FOR ELECTION