Chapman Bound: Presidents’ Day Visit Brings Future Panthers to Campus Campus tours, student panels and one-on-one conversations gave students and families a firsthand look at the Chapman difference.

On Presidents’ Day, with high schools closed and seniors starting to make their college choices, more than 170 admitted students and their families stepped onto the campus of Chapman University to imagine what comes next.  

For many of the 450 guests, it was their first time on the Orange Campus. Their first look at the palm tree–lined walkways, the mix of modern and historic buildings, and the close-knit academic spaces that help define Chapman. The timing could not be more appropriate as acceptance letters arrive, and seniors across the country weigh their options. Presidents’ Day offered a rare opportunity to visit the campus while classes were in session and feel the energy first-hand.  

The day began with a welcoming ceremony where guests were invited to see themselves as “Chapman Bound.” Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Armen Sarkisian spoke about Chapman’s campus size and sense of community, its comprehensive education that encourages interdisciplinary learning, and its personalized approach supported by a 12:1 faculty-to-student ratio. He also highlighted the advantages of studying in Orange County, an area rich with professional, cultural, and fun activities.  

From there, guests joined campus tours and heard from students and alumni whose stories brought the Chapman experience to life — from late-night study sessions to research opportunities, internships and lifelong friendships. 

At the Academic & Resource Fair, faculty and staff connected one-on-one with families, answering questions about programs, support services, and the university’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach. Conversations continued over lunch, where admitted students sat alongside Chapman administrators, professors and staff members, not just to gather information but to begin building relationships.  

For many attendees, the day marked the first time they could picture themselves here – walking to class, collaborating across disciplines, and finding their place in a community intentionally designed to feel both personal and expansive.  

Presidents’ Day was more than a campus visit; it was a day that future Panthers began turning acceptance into intention and starting the next chapter of their Chapman story.