After 13 years of artfully sharing Chapman’s news with the world, Mary Platt has taken on a new role at the University, one that connects with another of her areas of expertise. She is the new director of the Hilbert Museum of California Art.
Most recently director of communications and media relations at Chapman, Platt “has nearly always had a passion for the arts,” said Chapman Provost Glenn Pfeiffer, Ph.D., in announcing the selection.
Platt holds a master’s degree in art history from Michigan State University, where she also taught art history as a graduate assistant. In addition, she studied art and cultural history overseas at the University of Florence and in Germany. She held MSU’s Calder Scholarship in art history and was selected to Phi Beta Kappa, the prestigious academic honorary.
“The Hilbert Museum is unique in that it showcases a spectacular collection of paintings, drawings, illustrations, animation and movie art by California’s top artists, whose works portray everyday life as our state grew and changed,” Platt said. “Among my plans are to initiate a robust programming schedule, enhance its educational mission for Chapman students as well as K–12 students, and initiate creative partnerships, exhibitions and collaborations with other arts institutions around the state and the nation.”
Platt arrived at Chapman in 2004 as editor of Chapman Magazine and was promoted to director of communications in 2006. In that capacity she managed the University news office, served as PR advisor to the president and senior leadership, and was the University’s media spokesperson and liaison.
Along the way, she wrote and edited two award-winning books published for Chapman’s 150th Anniversary in 2011: The Chapman Collections (on Chapman’s art collections) and Chapman University (the anniversary history). What’s more, she has served on the advisory board of the Escalette Permanent Collection of Art and on Chapman’s Phi Beta Kappa committee.
“I am excited to see how Mary will use the combination of her PR skills, immense creativity and passion for art to build the reputation of the Hilbert Museum and to make it one of higher education’s finest art facilities,” said Sheryl Bourgeois, Ph.D., executive vice president for university advancement. “There is no doubt, its future is very bright with Mary at the helm.”
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