In an era of growing political polarization and digital misinformation, the Samueli Foundation has made a visionary $1.85 million investment in the future of civil discourse at Chapman University. With a gift that reflects both urgency and optimism, the Foundation is supporting the founding of the Or Initiative, a groundbreaking program led by Dr. Vikki Katz, Professor in the School of Communication and Fletcher Jones Endowed Chair in Free Speech. The Or Initiative’s goal is to equip young people with the skills to engage in difficult, nuanced conversations with intellectual rigor, historical context and empathy.
The Samueli Foundation’s support aligns with Chapman University’s deep commitment to free speech, viewpoint diversity and academic excellence. The Or Initiative follows the announcement of the Fletcher Jones Foundation’s Endowed Chair in Free Speech in November, reinforcing Chapman’s leadership in fostering intellectual inquiry and meaningful discourse.
“College campuses can be extraordinary places for innovation—not just in science and engineering, but also in fostering civil discourse,” said Samueli Family Philanthropies president Lindsey Spindle. “As a foundation, we often spend time thinking about where our investments can make the greatest impact, and we appreciate how important civil discourse is for society. The fact that Dr. Katz is a proven leader, an innovator and piloting this work on an Orange County college campus made it a perfect fit for our investment.”
Chapman University President Daniele Struppa, a strong proponent of the power of civil discourse in higher education, noted: “We are grateful to the Samueli Foundation for their trust in Chapman’s ability to lead in this critical space. Their support not only strengthens our academic community but also reinforces the values of open dialogue and mutual understanding that are essential to a thriving society. This investment will leave a lasting impact, empowering students to engage thoughtfully with complex issues and helping to shape the next generation of informed, engaged citizens.”
The Or Initiative will establish Chapman as a trusted convener of diverse stakeholders concerned with young people’s digital citizenship and developmental trajectories. The Or Initiative will also develop curriculum and communication tools to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: how to foster real understanding in an age where students are often asked to ‘pick a side’ rather than engage in meaningful dialogue.
“Young people are used to consuming information in seconds, but deep understanding requires time,” Dr. Katz said. “We will create spaces where students can develop knowledge, build trust with one another and grapple with the complexity of the world. We need to slow things down, and semester-long courses are ideal for that.”
The Samueli Foundation’s investment will enable Dr. Katz to launch an innovative, communication-centered approach to civil discourse education, including the development of semester-long curricula for middle school, high school and college students to ensure that learning is deep, sustained and transformative rather than limited by short-term discussion formats. The Or Initiative will also provide educator training to equip teachers with the tools to lead nuanced, fact-based discussions on challenging topics in an informed and constructive way. The Initiative will emphasize digital literacy, helping students navigate misinformation and distinguish between opinion, expertise and knowledge, while fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are brought together, allowing students, scholars and community leaders to engage in open, honest and respectful conversations.
“The Samueli Foundation’s gift enables Chapman to take a lasting, impactful approach to civil discourse education—and to be a real leader in a space where society has struggled to do well,” said Matt Parlow, president-elect and executive vice president and chief advancement officer. “This gift demonstrates the power of philanthropy to drive meaningful change in higher education and beyond.”
The Or Initiative’s name reflects its purpose of developing new, evidence-based alternatives to the ways young people have been engaging—and disengaging— from talking about the Middle East conflict and its effects on American life. As Dr. Katz explains, “If we do this right, we won’t just be preparing them to talk about Israel and Palestine—we’ll be preparing them to talk about any divisive political issue. These communication skills are transferable. Our goal is to help young people develop the confidence to engage with one another—not to convert each other, but to truly see and understand each other. I am deeply grateful to the Samueli Foundation for championing this work to help create meaningful and sustainable change.”
This latest Samueli Foundation gift comes on the heels of a September announcement of the creation of a $3 million endowment from the organization supporting Chapman’s annual Holocaust Art & Writing Contest. For 25 years, the contest has provided a vital connection between young learners and the survivors of the Holocaust, growing from a local event to an international phenomenon with over 7,000 participants worldwide and more than 150,000 participants in all. Spindle added: “These are two interlinked investments—one focused on historical education and memory, the other on fostering a healthier discourse in the present.”
