A new era begins with President Parlow

Photo by Easton Clark, Photography Editor

Matt Parlow was sworn in as Chapman’s 14th president amid a week of events focused on community, leadership and civil discourse, marking the official start of his tenure.

Parlow was first appointed in December 2024, following the resignation of former President Daniele Struppa, and started transitioning into the role starting in September. 

Inauguration week, held from Oct. 3 to Oct. 10, began with a talk by Keegan-Michael Key, where he offered students advice based on his life journey as an actor and comedian. 

The weekend continued with Homecoming events, which included a series of masterclasses such as “Leadership Talents and Virtues” and “Strategies for Being a Healthy Artist.” These offered students and families lessons in what it means to effectively lead and how to thrive mentally, physically and financially while pursuing a creative field. 

There were also alumni reunions, new members added to the 50 Year Club and an alumni social where past and present students could network and connect. A wide range of alumni were present, ranging from the class of 1981 to the class of 2020.

“The goal was to meet alumni and form connections, especially within the entertainment industry,” said Shayaan Ahmed, a junior writing for film and television major who attended the social.  

Parlow made an appearance towards the end of the mixer, giving a speech to thank the alumni for coming and sharing stories of their time at Chapman. 

“The connections between classmates (and) between alumni are really special, and what I've noticed today are the relationships of different generations of alumni who have bonded because of this alumni community, and that says a lot about the Chapman family,” said Parlow. 

On Monday, a breakfast was held at the Hilbert Museum with local community leaders, including Orange Mayor Dan Slater and Congressman Lou Correa, who represents California’s 46th District, as well as other community members.

Parlow gave remarks regarding Chapman’s relationship with the Orange community and reaffirmed the university's commitment to maintaining strong community partnerships.

The week continued with talks by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad and University of California, Berkeley School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky. There was also a panel discussion at Chapman’s Rinker campus with keynote speaker Diana Ramos, the surgeon general of California.

The community building continued with a faculty mixer, where faculty members had the opportunity to speak with Parlow. An all-campus and community picnic also took place, gathering students, staff and community members for lunch and refreshments.

Parlow’s official investiture ceremony took place on Friday, Oct. 10 in Musco Center for the Arts. Among the attendees were the two previous Chapman presidents, Jim Doti and Daniele Struppa, representatives from universities across the world, Board of Trustees members, former Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti as well as Parlow’s family and friends. 

Photo by Easton Clark, Photography Editor

The ceremony marked the official installation of Parlow as president of the university. Aside from the donning of Parlow in Chapman’s presidential symbols — the university mace and the president’s medallion — the event included speeches from Parlow’s friends, family, mentors, pupils and university administrators.

Among the speakers was Garcetti, a longtime friend of Parlow’s who joked about the two sharing a love of sports and a hometown in the valley region of Los Angeles. 

Photo by Easton Clark, Photography Editor

“It feels a little too heavy in here, and we should be celebrating,” Garcetti said. “Be Matt Parlow right now.”

Themes of the speeches, which were mostly centered around Parlow and his career journey, included the former law school dean’s close connections with his students, his passion for academics and his love for Diet Coke and Los Angeles sports teams.

“In baseball terms, it feels like the bottom of the eleventh inning… Chapman could not have picked a better closer,” Garcetti said.

James Burra, chair of the Board of Trustees, echoed these statements when talking about the board’s decision to select Parlow for president. 

“Selecting a president in a moment like this was no easy task,” he said.

In the midst of attacks on higher education and the increasing need to defend academic institutions, the speakers seemed to assure the audience that Parlow will be one to do so.

“Sports fans make good leaders because they understand unconditional love,” Burra said. “Matt unconditionally loves the (Los Angeles) Dodgers, his family and Chapman, in no particular order.”

Also offering anecdotes about Parlow were one of his former law students, Faculty Senate President Kelli Fuery and his daughter, Maya.

Photo by Easton Clark, Photography Editor

Parlow also gave a speech, highlighting the importance of higher education. 

“It is an interesting time to be becoming a university president,” Parlow said, followed by a chorus of laughter from the audience. “Higher education is under great scrutiny, and there is doubt and skepticism in the public narrative around the value and wisdom of a college degree; but I couldn’t be more optimistic about Chapman’s future.” 

As a child of immigrants who worked their way towards a college education to provide a better life for their children, Parlow used his own family’s legacy as an example of why universities matter. 

“What is the difference between growing up in an orphanage or a foster home and becoming president of Chapman University?” he said. “One generation, and I would add, an education.” 

As for the future of Chapman, Parlow cited a few areas of focus that he plans to emphasize during his term. This included student-centered education, expanding the school’s research profile, embracing artificial intelligence (AI), strengthening connections with the Southern California community and remaining committed to the mission of free speech and civil discourse. 

“Let us stand together in defense of the promise of higher education, and more importantly, for what makes Chapman special, unique and distinctive,” Parlow said. “Only then can our students and alumni achieve their American dream.”