Matt Parlow was formally inaugurated as the 14th President of Chapman University on Friday, Oct. 11, part of a multi-day celebration that brought the Chapman community together to honor the people, traditions and values that make Chapman strong.
Faculty, staff, students, alumni, board members, and friends and university delegates gathered in Musco Center of the Arts for the formal investiture, a ceremony that paid homage to centuries of academic tradition and pageantry. Special guests in attendance included representatives from universities around the world, local civic and religious leaders and Chapman Presidents Emeriti James Doti and Daniele Struppa. Inspirational readings and tributes to Parlow reflected on Chapman’s history and were followed by a video retrospective of his career with special messages from friends, colleagues and former students. Parlow has worked in higher education for 20 years and has been at Chapman for more than 12 years, serving first as Dean of Fowler School of Law and Parker S. Kennedy Chair before being named Executive Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer in 2021.
“Thank you,” said Parlow after being presented with the Presidential Medal and University Mace. “I’m humbled. I’m honored. Now let’s get to work.”
In his remarks, the new president spoke extensively about the importance of higher education, emphasizing Chapman’s continuing commitment to student achievement.
“A college degree is inextricably linked to the American Dream,” he said. “The indisputable truth is that there is no better way to achieve social mobility than through an education.”
Parlow shared his own family history as an example of how education can improve lives, describing the struggles and successes experienced by his parents and grandparents. “My wife and I have experienced that transformative effect of a college degree to lift up hardworking families and provide better opportunities for the next generation.”
In closing, he called to the Chapman community to dedicate themselves to furthering the university’s mission and “provide the transformative educational experience that will advance social mobility, contribute significantly to society, open up even greater opportunities for our students and alumni, and take Chapman to new heights.”
A Week of Celebrations
The celebratory season began with Chapman Family Homecoming on Friday and Saturday Oct 3-4, an annual tradition that brings alumni, students and family members together for a weekend of master classes, reunions and the Homecoming football game.
Friday, Oct. 2, brought a taste of Hollywood to campus with special guest Keegan-Michael Key on stage at the Musco Center. In a conversation with student leaders and Parlow, Key emphasized the value of higher education in his own success, calling it a shortcut, “the place where they hand you the toolbox and show you how to use every tool.” President Parlow also took part in the 50th reunion celebrations of the Class of 1975.
Saturday saw a multitude of events on President Parlow’s calendar including, the Office of First Generation and Promising Futures Programs open house, and alumni house gathering with members of the Blalock, Flewellen and Elliott families, an inaugural gathering of Cheverton Award winners, the Homecoming tailgate and alumni social, and of course the Homecoming football game – a spectacular 27-0 victory for the Panthers over the University of Redlands.
Inauguration events were thoughtfully planned to demonstrate Chapman’s academic and scholarly richness, diversity of thought and student centricity. The events wove together important university and presidential priorities, including highlighting students’ talent and success; building on our academic excellence; supporting interdisciplinary collaborations; fostering community engagement and bridge building; and deepening our commitment to free speech and civil discourse.
Throughout the week, conversations with renowned thought leaders such as Nobel Laureate Nadia Murad, California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos and UC Berkeley School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky highlighted Chapman’s role in addressing critical issues facing our nation and the world, including peace and conflict, healthcare and civil discourse.
A faculty mixer, a breakfast for local civic leaders and an all-campus and community picnic rounded out the public events for the week.
A talk with Palmer Luckey, founder of Oculus VR and Oculus Rift, marked the conclusion of the inauguration festivities on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The conversation between Parlow and Luckey delved into the topic of leadership in business.
“When a university as remarkable as Chapman sets its sights on an ambitious future, only an extraordinary leader will be prepared to meet the moment,” said Parker Kennedy, Emeritus Chair of the Board of Trustees, during Friday’s investiture, adding that Parlow brings a profound understanding of Chapman’s character, values and aspirations to the job.
As a part of the Chapman community for more than a decade, Parlow knows the university’s strengths, understands the challenges, and shares a bold vision for what lies ahead.
