Chapman Employees Share What They’re Thankful for this Season

Celebrating Thanksgiving during a pandemic is nothing short of unprecedented. But despite the challenges brought upon by 2020, a spirit of gratitude remains strong and intact within Chapman employees. From health, to family, to those everyday luxuries we took for granted before COVID-19, here are some inspiring Thanksgiving reflections from members of our Chapman Family.

“This season, I’m thankful for all of my work friends and colleagues. Ordinarily, we take lots of coffee and neighborhood walks together, but since March, we’ve all been chatting in a Teams group. We share pet pics, funny stories and all the other sorts of things we’d normally talk about on our afternoon runs to Starbucks or Contra. It’s been really nice to have that virtual connection to the people I miss most from campus.” – Rachel Karas, Ph.D., Events and External Relations Assistant, Leatherby Libraries

“While there are many things to be thankful for during this season, I’d like to say I’m thankful for: working for an organization like Chapman who really cares for their employees, my supervisor, Michelle Sypinero, who is very understanding of my current situation at home, my co-workers and most importantly my family for all their love.” – Jessie Rivera, software trainer, Information Systems & Technology

“I am thankful to be employed at Chapman where I feel like family.”– Miguel A. Viveros, event manager, Event Scheduling Services

“This year I am thankful for my family here and in New Zealand. I am also thankful for the Southern California sunshine and for being able to get outside for a run every day during these tough times.” – Stephanie Brewer, executive assistant, Office of the Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Communications

“My motto in life: In order to enjoy a future of abundance and happiness, you need to express gratitude for what you have in the present. This Thanksgiving I continue to give thanks to my health and well-being during this pandemic. Having a loving family and steadfast friends is a continuous source of my gratitude. Lastly, I’m so blessed to be teaching and working at Chapman, where I’m supported by such an amazing community. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving, Panthers!” – Jay Kumar, Ph.D., director of contemplative practices and well-being, Fish Interfaith Center

“My family always inspires me, especially my parents and brother. They’re the ones that always motivate and support me. Their encouragement has been very important.” – Erik Gomez, classroom technology engineer, Information Systems & Technology

“My top five experiences to be grateful for are:

1. My family and friends, my work team and campus colleagues who add the funny, keep life interesting and keep me learning;

2.  For my neighbors that keep the morning silent by not doing yardwork, and for the opportunity to get to know the ones that do;

3. For our Chapman leaders, first responders and all of us in-between. I am grateful for your courage, spirit and the collective endurance to keep us together, reminding us that we are always first and that we are one;

4. For Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime;

5. Lastly, I am grateful for everything I took for granted and all the moments that lead me to live a brand new day.” – Abbie Kane, director of total rewards, Human Resources