The Masson family is sharing their passion for lifelong learning and water polo with Chapman University students through a $2.5 million gift.
The gift was announced at a dinner Sept. 26.
One million dollars of the gift will establish an endowed scholarship to support graduate students, and $1 million will establish an endowed scholarship/fellowship for students enrolled in the Doctor of Science in Mathematics, Philosophy and Physics (MPP) program. In addition, through the Masson Family Foundation, $250,000 will endow a fund to support the greatest needs of the men’s and women’s water polo programs, and $250,000 will start a fund for team tournament travel.
“The Masson family has impacted many Chapman students with their longstanding support, and will now serve generations of graduate students and Panther student-athletes with their generosity,” Chapman President Daniele C. Struppa said. “As chair of our Student Life Committee of the Board of Trustees and a Panther parent, Melinda Masson takes the time to know our students and understand what they need to be successful. These gifts will advance our academic quality and student experience.”
Supporting scholarships and an MPP fellowship
Melinda Masson, who was a community college and vocational school instructor before becoming CEO of real estate and philanthropy technology companies, wanted to share her passion for education through supporting graduate students.
When Struppa shared the need for a new interdisciplinary, graduate-level program in math, philosophy and physics, “I immediately understood the importance of supporting a unique program that advances math education and incorporates critical thinking and data skills,” Melinda says.
The three-year MPP program, which confers a Ph.D.-equivalent degree, emphasizes the connection between mathematics, philosophy and the physical sciences. Each student chooses a primary and secondary discipline and spends most of their time researching for their dissertation. The Masson Family Doctor of Science in Mathematics, Philosophy and Physics Scholarship/Fellowship Endowment will support a number of newly admitted students every year.
Melinda, the parent of two Chapman alumni, wants to support graduate students because she knows four-year degrees may not be enough in today’s job market and technology-driven business environment.
“It is important to make post-graduate education as affordable as possible, including programs that merge STEM, the arts and hands-on learning,” Melinda says. With that in mind, these gifts are designed to support graduate students who demonstrate financial need.
The program positions Chapman at the forefront of rapidly evolving fields like quantum studies and artificial intelligence, and trains students to think across disciplines, according to Michael Ibba, dean of Schmid College of Science and Technology.
Supporting Panther water polo
The Masson family was inspired to support the water polo program by Pierre Masson ’12.
Pierre and his wife Lisa (Horn) Masson ’12 met when both played water polo for Chapman. The players’ camaraderie was strengthened on match trips around California, and many of Pierre and Lisa Masson’s closest friends are their former teammates.
Pierre and some of his teammates declined playing for bigger schools because they wanted the Chapman student experience, which enables student-athletes to also focus on academics. At the same time, he wanted the team to have a Division I-level mentality and approach and the same high-quality, close-knit experience that he had.
Chapman students enjoy “a special camaraderie that lasts a lifetime,” says Pierre, an All-American in all of his seasons at Chapman, noting that water polo has been a constant in his life in addition to his family. He characterizes his time as a Panther as being “fulfilling and memorable.”
He also wants to inspire young alumni to pay it forward and find their niche or passion for giving back—whether through money, time or talent.
The gift to the water polo program isn’t the first time the Massons have supported Chapman aquatics and advanced the quality of student life at the university. In 2012, they made a gift to establish the Masson Family Beach Club, a student pool and recreation area, near the residence halls.
“When Pierre was a freshman at Henley Hall, there was no pool,” says Melinda, who was a swimmer and lifeguard growing up. “Students would have to drive to the beach to get an aquatic experience.”
She envisioned an outdoor gathering place where students could swim, play volleyball and basketball and get to know each other.
“I love seeing the Beach Club as a meeting spot or event venue that brings people together. And for parents, it’s an opportunity to engage with their kids at college,” Melinda says.
In addition to Melinda, the entire Masson family shares a love of aquatics—Pierre’s father, Maurice, is a swimmer and swam for his college team, Pierre and his siblings, Ben Shaffer ’05 and Melena, “just never got out of the water,” she says.
Passion for connection
In her real estate management work, Melinda wanted to create a sense of community for people of all backgrounds. She brought that to Chapman Board of Governors in 1999 and to the Board of Trustees in 2021.
While chairing the Student Life Committee, she gets to know students, learn about their needs and provide personal mentorship. College is a four-year journey, “but it’s the sense of community that continues long beyond graduation,” she says.
She wants her family’s most recent gift to Chapman to foster that community and encourage students.
“Chapman does a phenomenal job of creating critical thinkers and delivering an exceptional student experience,” she says.
In addition to aquatics and graduate students, the Massons have supported Chapman Celebrates, the Global Citizens Plaza and the Chapman Fund.
Their gift bolsters Chapman’s strategic plan goal to raise $500 million through its Inspire campaign. A total of $396 million has been raised.
“The Masson family’s gift to our graduate students and student-athletes will further elevate academic excellence, the vibrancy of our community and the quality of our athletics at Chapman,” says Executive Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer Matt Parlow. “One of the many remarkable qualities of Chapman is its strong sense of family and commitment to the long-term success of our community. The Massons embody that spirit in mind and action.”
