Top Reasons to Attend the Community Picnic During Inauguration Celebrate President Matt Parlow’s inauguration with food, friends and Chapman pride.

This year, students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members are coming together to celebrate the inauguration of Matthew J. Parlow as the University’s 14th president. One of the best ways to join in the celebration is at the community picnic, taking place Friday, Oct. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Attallah Piazza. 

Here are a few reasons to attend:  

Connect with fellow Panthers  

This picnic is more than just a meal – it’s a chance to see familiar faces and meet new ones. Whether you’re sharing a table with classmates and friends, catching up with colleagues, or getting to know other community members, the event offers a relaxed setting to build and strengthen connections.  

Free Lunch (and gift) 

A complimentary lunch is also part of the celebration. Come hungry and enjoy a tasty meal on campus before heading into the rest of Investiture Day. Don’t miss the chance to grab a meal and join the fun! Guests will also receive a special Chapman inauguration gift to mark the occasion.  

Soak Up the Chapman Atmosphere 

While you enjoy lunch and refreshments, take time to soak in the beauty of Chapman’s campus. With its vibrant greenery, historic architecture, and the feel of fresh fall in the air, it’s the perfect backdrop for a community celebration.

Celebrate a Historic Chapman Moment 

Most importantly, the community picnic is a moment to celebrate a historic milestone together. A presidential inauguration marks an exciting new chapter for Chapman, and the picnic offers a meaningful way to welcome Parlow into his new role. It’s a chance to share this milestone for the university. Chapman has a proud and time-honored tradition of its presidents serving long tenures, so investiture days are even more meaningful at this university. 

So, bring your Chapman spirit, gather your friends and co-workers, and be part of a celebration that blends tradition, community and pride.

Due to space constraints, some inauguration events, including the investiture ceremony, will require tickets. Other events will be open to the public.

Free parking is offered for all ticketed events, subject to availability. Attendees may register for free parking by following the parking link on individual event pages, accessible through RSVP links in the event listings below. Short-term permits are also available for purchase on-site.

Be sure to check out the full slate of inauguration events taking place across campus:

Wednesday, Oct. 8

Panel on Adverse Childhood Experiences with Keynote from California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos
2–2:30 p.m. Reception | 2:30–4:15 p.m. Panel and Keynote | Campus Center at Rinker Great Room (9401 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, CA 92618)
A panel of leading experts—Laura Glynn (Chapman), Dan Cooper (UC Irvine), Michael Weiss (CHOC), and Pete Simi (Chapman)—will explore the impact of adverse childhood experiences on health and society. The discussion will be moderated by Kelli Fuery, Chapman Faculty Senate president, and will conclude with a keynote address by California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos.

Thursday, Oct. 9

Chapman Faculty Mixer
1:30–3:30 p.m. | Marvin W. Meyer Faculty Athenaeum
Faculty are invited to a casual gathering to connect with one another and President Matt Parlow.

Friday, Oct. 10

Interfaith Service
10 a.m. | Fish Interfaith Center
Religious leaders from across the region will join the Chapman community in a service of reflection and unity, honoring the tradition of marking a new presidency with interfaith prayer.
RSVP to this event.

All-Campus and Community Picnic
11:30 a.m. | Attallah Piazza
Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members are invited to gather for a celebratory picnic featuring lunch, refreshments and Chapman giveaways.
RSVP to this event.

Investiture Ceremony
3 p.m. | Musco Center for the Arts
The official installation of Matthew J. Parlow as Chapman University’s 14th president will take place in Musco Center, followed by a reception on the Aitken Arts Plaza.

Tuesday, Oct. 14

Palmer Luckey in Conversation with President Matt Parlow on Leadership in Business
Inventor and entrepreneur Palmer Luckey—best known as the founder of Oculus VR and creator of the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset—will join President Parlow for a conversation on innovation and leadership in business.