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E-mail your news and photos to alumni@chapman.edu or mail to: Alumni Engagement, One University Drive, Orange, Calif. 92866. Any pictures received by mail will be scanned and returned. Class Notes are subject to editing due to space. To post Class Notes and photos online, visit www.alumni.chapman.edu
1930s A Ella Lou Henshaw, B.A. sociology ’37, celebrated her 100th birthday Oct. 6 at First Baptist Church of La Crescenta with 200 to 300 family and friends, including Salli Stockton, B.A. sociology/economics ’73 (MBA ’92).
1940s B Julia Davis, B.A. physical education ’47, was among those celebrating the 50th anniversary of Beta Chi on the Orange campus of Chapman University during Homecoming and Family Weekend in October. Also attending the reunion were Barbara Post, B.A. mathematics ’65; Christine Baker, B.A. religion ’64; Salli Stockton, B.A. sociology/ economics ’73 (MBA ’92); Carleen Moore Carter, B.A. sociology ’70; and Willy Hall, B.A. home economics ’64 (M.A. education ’75).
for more than 30 years. She now volunteers as a tutor in the Clarkson Community Center for refugees.
A Steve Hopkins, B.A. sociology ’63, and Ruth (Gortsema) Hopkins, B.A. sociology ’64, celebrated their 48th anniversary in September. The Chapman sweethearts met in Spanish class Ruth’s freshman year and have been together ever since.
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F Sinan Kanatsiz, B.A. communication studies ’97 (M.A. organizational leadership ’00), is chairman and CEO of KCOMM. He and his wife recently welcomed a daughter, Arden Kanatsiz, on Sept. 7 at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.
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John Yoder, B.A. economics /business administration ’72, ran for Supreme Court justice in West Virginia and won this year. After attending Chapman University, he earned a J.D. at the University of Kansas and MBA at the University of Chicago, and went on to become a state senator and judge in West Virginia.
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1950s C James A. Todd ’58, recently came across a Chapman Dance Band photo from the 1954–55 school year, the first year Chapman was on the Orange campus. James can be seen playing the piano in the photo. He remembers going to the Chapman open house in Hollywood during his senior year in high school. His parents and grandparents were very impressed with the school. His grandfather, John Alexander Todd, made a sizable donation to help the school move to Orange, and his grandmother was a prayer warrior for Chapman. His aunt and uncle, Ned and Mandane Lewis of Anaheim, also were loyal supporters. James and his wife will be in Orange next year and are excited to see the progress Chapman has made.
1960s Sue L. Elkins, B.A. art ’68, recently retired as library media specialist for the Dekalb County schools in Georgia after working in education
1980s Loretta Sanchez, B.S. business administration ’82, recently spoke at the Emerging Scholars Conference at Chapman, as a featured presenter on the topic of bullying and the search for solutions to this widespread problem. Loretta is an eight–term U.S. congresswoman, representing the 47th District in Orange County, Calif.
Carleen Moore Carter
CHAPMAN MAGAZINE
Rebecca Martinez, B.A. liberal studies ’94 (M.A. ’00) was recently appointed principal of El Modena High School in Orange. G Erich Matola, M.A. education ’93, has been named chief information officer of Colorado State University, Pueblo. Erich has more than 10 years of CIO and director-level leadership experience at higher-education institutions. Since 2009, Erich has provided leadership and vision on technology issues for the University of Wisconsin, Platteville.
C D Alex Hayden, B.S. business administration
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’95, is executive director at Cushman & Wakefield. He brokered the recent $20 million transaction in which Chapman University acquired two buildings in Irvine, Calif., that in 2014 will house Chapman graduate programs in the health sciences. After the deal was done, Alex was inspired to make a $100,000 gift to the Chapman Fund. He is shown presenting the check to President Jim Doti and Harold Hewitt, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
2000s Tobi Becerra, BFA dance and theatre ’01, will leave her position in University Advancement at Chapman for a position in the Office of Development at Santa Clara University so she can be closer to her family in the Bay Area. Alex Hayden (center)
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E Ruth Herrera, B.A. sociology ’99, married Eric Guelcher on June 25, 2011, in Long Beach, where they reside. Alpha Phi sorority sister Kathy Camacho, BFA film and television ’98, who works as a producer for a major television news network, was a bridesmaid. Ruth also has her MSW and has worked as a social worker in Los Angeles County for 11 years. They welcomed a daughter, Lucia Michelle HerreraGuelcher, to the world Sept. 18, 2012, naming her in memory of Ruth’s mother.
H Heather Binns, B.A. communication studies/PR and advertising ’00, CPT, has been recognized by the National Academy of Best-Selling Authors for her new book Results Fitness! She is also the owner/founder of Full of Life Fitness and is certified as a personal trainer, fitness instructor and coach. I Sarah (Smith) Brands, B.A. liberal studies ’07 and a teaching credential, married Taylor Smith on June 30 at Lake Oak Meadows in Temecula, Calif. Bari Smith, BFA digital arts ’09, was their maid of honor. Sarah and Taylor reside in San Diego, where Sarah teaches fifth grade. Sarah played on the Chapman women’s basketball team 2003–06.
Heather Breen Schlossnagle, MFA film production ’07, recently joined the Chapman University Panther Productions team as an associate producer. Mike Brown, B.A. business ’06, founded ModBargains in January 2005 when he was 19. Nearly eight years later, the company is thriving and continuing to grow. ModBargains sells and installs products to make vehicles look better and go faster. On Oct. 13, Mike and ModBargains hosted a car meet at their shop in La Habra, Calif., featuring more than 200 vehicles. More information is at modbargains.com. Adriana Chavez, BFA theatre and dance ’01, is nominated for a New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Ensemble for her work in Homunculus: Reloaded, produced by Homunculus Mask Theater. The IT Awards honor artistic excellence in Off-Off-Broadway theatre. Elisha Christian, BFA film and television ’01; Jeremy Gantz, BFA film and television ’04; Olicer Munoz, BFA film and television ’03;
Efrain Solis ’11 and Professor Peter Atherton celebrate Solis’ regional victory in Los Angeles.
The Voice of Success
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frain Solis ’11 loves to test himself. And these days, he’s taking on a number of challenges with the full depth of his rich baritone voice. Recently he was named Western Region champion in a prestigious Metropolitan Opera competition, earning a berth in the national semifinals in March at the Met in New York. He now has won two phases of the competition, and if he’s one of five Grand Winners, he’ll earn $15,000. Solis’ life as a competitive performer began in earnest as a vocal performance major at the Chapman University Conservatory of Music. He learned the lessons of audition en route to roles in College of Performing Arts productions that helped him gain confidence, he said. Professor Peter Atherton guided Solís during his undergraduate days and continues to mentor him as he transitions to the life of a professional. “Professor Atherton always supports me, challenges me and provides the tools I need to succeed through all of the different opportunities,” said Solís, who’s pursuing a Master’s of Music degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. After Solis graduated from Chapman, Atherton encouraged him to reach beyond his comfort zone and audition for the title role in Eugene Onegin with Russian Opera Workshop in Philadelphia. Solís landed the role, jump-starting his career. He also has played Guglielmo in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, and Figaro in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro with Operafestival di Roma in Italy. “I love a good challenge,” he said.
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