Inspire
The Campaign For
Chapman University
Join Chapman in its ambitious goal to raise $500 million, and become a partner in influencing the trajectory of a top university, its research and the lives of its students.
Campaign Highlights
$500 Mil
Fundraising Goal
$397 Mil
Raised to Date
18,962
Donors
79,699
Donations
Campaign Strategies
Complete a $500 million comprehensive giving campaign to drive Chapman’s overall success.
Strengthen alumni, parent, and volunteer engagement across all departments and disciplines.
Increase endowment giving with the goal of a $2 billion endowment by 2037.
Bolster development support for all 11 Chapman schools and colleges.
Driven By
Chapman is uniquely positioned to transform lives by providing paths to social mobility, energizing health delivery in the region, and conducting breakthrough research to solve critical issues on a global scale. Our donors power the momentum of a world-class university to inspire real change that ensures the success of Chapman for generations.
$1 Million Grant from The Fletcher Jones Foundation to Endow Chair in Free Speech
In support of Chapman’s abiding commitment to free speech, The Fletcher Jones Foundation has awarded the university a $1 million grant to create an endowed chair in free speech. The grant will su
November 4, 2024
Claggett Charitable Foundation’s $150,000 Gift Contributes to Progressive Technological Advances at Dodge College
The gift supports Dodge College’s Fund for Innovation, wraparound LED screen and broader initiatives. The post
October 28, 2024
Ali Razavi (JD ’15) Pledges $25,000 to Fund Competition Teams at Fowler Law
Competition teams help teach Fowler Law students the human factor necessary to be a successful lawyer. The post
October 10, 2024
Masson Family Gives $2.5 Million to Support Graduate Education and Water Polo, Hopes to Inspire Others to Invest in Their Passions
The Masson family is sharing their passion for lifelong learning and water polo with students. The post
October 9, 2024
Marybelle Musco’s Generous Contribution Supports Chapman’s Contemporary Dance Series for a Second-Year
World-class dance companies Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Doug Varone and Dancers are coming to Chapman this year. The post
October 7, 2024
$3M Gift from Samueli Foundation to Endow Chapman University’s Holocaust Art & Writing Contest
The gift will ensure that the 25-year-old contest will continue to honor Holocaust survivors and build a bridge of remembrance for future generations. The post
September 25, 2024
Double-Major Quentin Cherishes Chapman’s Personalized Education, Experiences and People
The film and television production and business administration major is grateful for his immersive college experience. The post
September 23, 2024
Town & Gown’s 31st Season of Lunch at the Forum Kicks off in October
The five-part lecture series will feature Chapman’s outstanding faculty and academic leaders. The post
September 16, 2024
Endowed Fellowship in Business Affirms Mueller Family’s Legacy
Rick Mueller '76 was a proud Chapman alumnus and, with his wife, Bonnie, has donated to Chapman for over 40 years. The post
September 16, 2024
Chapman Physician Assistant Program Celebrates $5 Million Grant
Chapman University celebrated a $5 million grant from CalOptima that will support future physician assistant students. The post
August 29, 2024
Ralphs Grocery’s Pharmacy Department Commits $50,000 to Establish an Endowed Scholarship/Fellowship for Community Pharmacy
Selected students at Chapman University School of Pharmacy must demonstrate leadership qualities needed to drive change and positively impact their local community. The post
August 14, 2024
Chapman’s First Physics Major, John Corpin ’69, Pays it Forward with an Endowed Scholarship
As a boy, John Corpin ’69 dreamed of attending college. His father, a barber, struggled to earn enough money to pay for college, so when Chapman offered him a scholarship, he seized the oppor
July 22, 2024
Chapman Achieves Near-Best Fundraising Year, Propelling Growth and Excellence
Continuing its ambition to become one of the great institutions in the country, Chapman University raised nearly $60 million during the 2023-2024 fiscal year, marking one of its most successful fun
July 15, 2024
Alumnus Alex Wendling Pledges $45,000 to Establish Food Science Fellowship
As a freshman at Chapman University, Alex Wendling ’13 (MS ’15) embarked on his journey as a pre-med biochemistry major, driven by the tragic loss of his mother to cancer during middle
July 9, 2024
Faith and Philanthropy are the Cornerstones of the Fish Family’s Legacy
On Oct. 16, 2004, Chapman University’s spiritual beacon, the Merle and Marjorie Fish Interfaith Center, officially opened to the public. Named in honor of alumnus Merle J. Fish ’40 and his late
July 9, 2024
Carabini Family Boosts Italian Studies at Chapman With Generous Gift to the Ferrucci Institute
Chapman University’s Ferrucci Institute for Italian Experience and Research strives to inspire and advance a broad disciplinary spectrum of teaching and research initiatives, exploring Italy’s
June 17, 2024
Women of Chapman Present $250,000 Check to Enhance Student Support and Campus Development
At their annual summer luncheon on May 21, Women of Chapman, a vibrant group of philanthropic-minded women strongly dedicated to a program of service to Chapman University, presented Chapman with a
June 12, 2024
Personalized Connections and Opportunities Fill Annabelle ’26 With Panther Pride
Undergraduate student Annabelle ’26 committed to Chapman University before even touring the school. Because only a few students from her high school attended Chapman, the university wasn’t on h
April 24, 2024
Panthers Inspire Possibilities on Giving Day, Celebrate 50 Years for Jim Doti
On Thursday, April 18, the entire Chapman Family rallied together on Giving Day 2024 to collectively impact the Chapman Experience for students, faculty and our campuses. Thanks to the enthusiasm o
April 22, 2024
Town & Gown Scholar Bernadine Cortina ’24 Named Chapman Woman of Distinction
At an awards ceremony on March 27 at the Fish Interfaith Center, Chapman University’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosted the second-annual Women of Distinction Awards. Graduati
April 12, 2024
Global Impact
Breakthrough Research Offers Game-Changing Potential for Global Food Security
“We can now predict 100% of food crashes and recoveries three to six months ahead of time. This is going to save lives,” says Chapman University Presidential Fellow Joshua B. Fisher
The scientific advance may allow nations, the UN and humanitarian aid organizations to more efficiently direct resources to areas of drought and famine before those regions tip into full-blown crisis.
The researchers have received outreach from a number of actors who support humanitarian interventions, including the World Bank.
The model not only predicted every food crisis, but also the length and magnitude of each one.
Treatment Innovation
Chapman Pharmacy Professors Lead Way in Precision Medicine
Pharmacogenomics – a part of precision medicine– uses a test that sequences a person’s genes to better customize medications for maximum impact and safety.
By looking at the DNA, the researchers can see who might be a good candidate for a certain drug versus not.
Their method uses DNA tests that “contain the equivalent of millions of tests in one,” the researchers say.
Technological Breakthrough
New Supercomputer Puts Chapman at the Cutting Edge of AI Research
The new computer system is the first community-operated supercomputer in the nation.
8 quadrillion
The new computer system is capable of performing 8 quadrillion calculations per second.
The computer cluster was donated by Nvidia Corp. to advance the goal of preparing more students from underserved communities and to help ensure that the region’s tech workforce is ready to thrive at the cutting edge of AI advances.
The project is due to Chapman’s participation in the CEO Leadership Alliance of Orange County, a working group that includes executives at some of the most influential high-tech companies in Orange County.
Inspiring Generations
Crean College Students Teach Medical Skills to High School Students
Physician Assistant students provide much-needed medical training to high school students earning medical certificates.
“Our students are learning, the Chapman students are practicing their teaching skills and get to share their passion and knowledge with the next generation, and our whole community benefits. I think that’s what I love most about our program is bringing our community together.”
500+
500+ high school students participated in the training event.
60+
60+ healthcare professionals participated in the program.
Alumni Impact
Infinite Paths to Peace
Rabia Asif ’22 earns Shinnyo-en Fellowship, which supports post-undergraduate Chapman University alumni interested in peacebuilding and service.
A health sciences major with a pre-med emphasis and a minor in Spanish, Asif will work at Higher Ground for the next year as she prepares to take the MCAT in preparation for applying to medical school.
Asif is launching a literacy program at Higher Ground, an Anaheim organization whose mission is to provide mentorship and opportunity to at-risk and underserved youth.
Asif volunteered with School on Wheels, a non-profit that provides 1:1 virtual tutoring for youth displaced from homes. She also served at the Lestonnac Local Free Clinic in Old Towne Orange, which provides free medical services to community members who don’t have insurance.
Addressing Community Health
Alumna Gives Chapman Students a Leg Up as They Pursue Their Dream Careers in Health Care
In her role with Schmid College, Christine Crispen ’02 is helping all science students succeed, with a special focus on those applying to medical and other health schools.
2x
The number of students identifying as first-generation in Schmid College has more than doubled from spring 2021 to 2022.
As assistant director for student success and pre-health advisor for Schmid College of Science and Technology, Crispen guides students in preparing for and applying to medical and professional health schools.
Chapman students have already benefited from the guidance of Crispen, who started working for Schmid College as a consultant during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community Impact
Chapman Alumna Champions Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Tiffany (Payton) Jameson ’96 founded the boutique consultancy firm grit & flow, which guides organizations in making inclusive practices to create environments for all, but especially those who are neurodivergent (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, learning differences) and disabled.
85%
Among those diagnosed with autism, there is an 85% unemployment rate, and an even higher rate for those without college degrees.
Jameson is one of the founders of the NDGiFTS Movement, an organization that supports and celebrates neurodiversity in the workplace.
Jameson’s autistic son, Jacob, will graduate with the class of 2023.
Partnering in Health
The Chapman-CHOC Connection
Separated by barely a mile, Chapman University and Children’s Health of Orange County share a collaborative culture that brings the two communities even closer together.
CHOC provides Chapman students with internship opportunities and is among the top employers of Chapman graduates.
“The opportunity to improve the care of children is at the heart of everything we do. Whether in the lab, on the floor providing care or working with data, our job is to save lives,” says Louis Ehwerhemuepha (MS ’13, Ph.D. ’15), senior data scientist at CHOC.
Sustainable Campus
Water-Wise Plants and Practices Are Growing at Chapman
By the end of this academic year, conversion to drought-tolerant landscaping is expected to save almost 485,000 gallons of water.
17,268
Square Feet
17,268 square feet of grass on the main campus in Orange will be converted to drought-tolerant landscaping.
485,000 Gallons
Estimated annual water savings.
The initiative has led to wider discussions on conservation of resources and advocating for communities affected by issues of environmental justice.
Academic Excellence
Nobel Peace Laureate Nadia Murad Appointed as Chapman University Presidential Fellow
Survivor and human rights activist was also the keynote speaker at Commencement.
1st
In 2016, Murad became the first United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking.
Won the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy for survivors of genocide and sexual violence.
“I am proud to serve as a Presidential Fellow at a university that is dedicated to seeking truth and fostering thoughtful global citizens,” said Murad.
International Collaboration
Cosmic Archaeology
For the first time in history, scientists unearth extraterrestrial culture on the international space station, led by Chapman University Professor Justin Walsh.
Researcher Justin Walsh is using archaeology’s methods of inquiry and analysis to reveal new understanding of human activity in space.
The researchers use daily photos to document material culture within the International Space Station.
“It’s a microsociety in a miniworld,” says Walsh.
