Cristine Hall
They decorated their mortarboards, struck poses for photos by Schmid Gate, and pulled parents into long, tearful embraces. On Friday evening, Chapman University’s Class of 2026 gathered under the bright lights of Wilson Field to celebrate Commencement, and by the end of the night, there were fireworks.
More than 2,700 graduates from all 11 of Chapman’s schools and colleges — including more than 750 earning advanced degrees — gathered with family and friends under sunny skies at Wilson Field, part of Commencement Weekend May 22–24. As the evening settled into a clear Southern California dusk, Matt Duffer ’07 and Ross Duffer ’07, the twin creators of Stranger Things, took the stage to deliver the keynote.
The Duffer Brothers, the filmmakers behind one of the most-watched streaming series in history, received honorary doctorates at Chapman’s first Commencement presided over by President Matt Parlow.
The scariest things in life, they told the crowd, don’t come from the “Upside Down,” the terrifying parallel dimension at the heart of Stranger Things. They come from playing it safe.
The Dodge College of Film and Media Arts alumni drew on their own journey from rejection to success to argue for risk-taking, authenticity, and the courage to stay weird in a world that rewards conformity. Central to their message was a warning about a world increasingly shaped by social media and artificial intelligence — forces the brothers said push everyone toward sameness.
“Your individuality is the most valuable thing you will ever own,” Ross Duffer said. “Don’t you dare flatten it.”
The brothers credited Chapman, and Dodge College in particular, with helping shape the filmmakers they would become. It was, in some ways, a full-circle moment: after being rejected by the University of Southern California, they enrolled at Chapman, where they say their experience changed the course of their careers.
Taking turns at the podium, the brothers urged graduates to avoid pursuing the safe path simply because it appears easier. They shared how taking creative risks and trusting their instincts ultimately led to the creation of the global Netflix hit Stranger Things. They encouraged graduates to persevere through rejection, resist pressure to conform in an age of social media algorithms and artificial intelligence, and to keep reaching even after disappointment.
“Keep reaching. Take risks. Stay weird. Find your party. Grab your swords. And get out there and start slaying,” Matt Duffer said.
In his remarks, President Parlow offered the Class of 2026 three pieces of advice in his first formal Commencement address as president: dream big and work hard, give back to the community, and lean on the support of others.
“Whether you stay here in Orange County or put down roots elsewhere, make sure to take time beyond work and family to give back and strengthen your community,” Parlow said. “Help those less fortunate and live out Chapman’s mission of global citizenry.”
The celebration concluded with Chapman’s traditional President’s Toast, followed by a fireworks display that lit up the night sky above campus. The festivities were just the beginning. College-specific degree ceremonies continued throughout the weekend, offering graduates an intimate send-off with fellow students, faculty, and families.
