Cerise Valenzuela MetzgerMark your calendars. The university will host Chapman Celebrates: Grand Finale Friday, Feb. 10 and Saturday, Feb. 11. After several years of delays and cancelations due to COVID-19, the two-day event marks the 40th and final time Chapman will host the signature gala.
“This popular event was a successful platform for student support for many years, bringing in more than $40 million in scholarship funds since the inaugural event in 1981,” said Matt Parlow, Executive Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer.
Board of Trustee Chair Parker Kennedy and Board of Governor Chair Paul Cook will co-chair the gala and College of Performing Arts Dean Giulio Ongaro will lead another incredible student production. University President Daniele C. Struppa plans to present his annual State of the University introducing the next five-year strategic plan for the university.
“Going forward, as we work to advance the strategic goals set by the Governing Boards and President Struppa, we are reevaluating the role of event-based fundraising given the decline in effectiveness we and other non-profit organizations have experienced in recent years,” Parlow said. “As we look forward to Chapman’s bright future, we are energized to transition to a new robust blueprint for fundraising.”
Many in our Chapman Family have contributed to the success of Chapman Celebrates through the gifts of time and financial support, which has improved the lives of countless students. “We hope to close out this historic event on a high note and ask for your support as we leverage this finale to garner additional scholarship funding for future Panthers,” Parlow said.
