Matt Watson
On a familiar stage, Chapman University played a central role in Orange’s annual State of the City event, hosted this year at the Musco Center for the Arts.
Chapman student Austin Elkins, a Vocal Performance major who has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House, sang the national anthem to open the event before Vice President of Community Relations Alisa Driscoll welcomed attendees.
Chapman President Matt Parlow, who frequently emphasizes the importance of community engagement, delivered remarks about Chapman’s continued commitment to the community since the university moved to Orange in the 1950s.
“Continuity matters,” he said. “It matters in a city where families build lives across generations. It matters for businesses that grow the community, and it matters for institutions like ours that are fortunate enough to be rooted in this special place we call Orange.”
Chapman has a broad impact and deep roots in the community. The university generates nearly $500 million in annual economic output for the City of Orange while supporting more than 5,000 jobs in Orange. More than 400 faculty and staff at Chapman live in Orange, Parlow said, and students contribute more than 100,000 hours of volunteer service each year across the region, plus another 110,000 hours in local schools.
Parlow gave examples of a staff member who coaches youth sports, a faculty member who takes students into the community to learn about how communities gather, and an alumna who has made Orange her home after turning a part-time job in Old Towne into a career.
“Chapman is not defined by its footprint, but by its people – people who are your neighbors and contributors to this great city,” he said.
Parlow also highlighted two cultural gateways celebrating 10-year anniversaries this year: the Musco Center for the Arts and the Hilbert Museum of California Art.
“These spaces are not simply university venues. They are shared civic spaces that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of the community,” he said. “That’s the kind of progress we’re proud of – excellence that elevates our reputation nationally while strengthening our partnerships locally.”
Orange Mayor Dan Slater opened his remarks by emphasizing that the City of Orange is open for business. His address included a presentation on the city’s vision for Orange Yards, a planned riverfront revitalization development that would include an entertainment district and an innovation hub.
“When we look around our historic Old Towne Plaza, our business corridors, and our beautiful residential neighborhoods, we see a city that doesn’t just rest on its history, but builds upon it,” Slater said.
Slater also touted public safety – crime in Orange has decreased 21% year-over-year and 28% over two years – and financial transparency as the city reckons with financial challenges. Residents can follow the city’s budget development and provide feedback about community priorities at cityoforange.org/conversation.
