Building Character Articles

102 - Mar / Apr 21

Vice President for Research and Professor in Schmid College of Science and Technology

Thomas Piechota, PhD Water and its accessibility are topics of great interest—especially in the western United States. For that reason, the work of researchers like Tom Piechota is valuable. Over Piechota’s career, which began in the early 1990s, Chapman University’s Vice President for Research and... Read More →

Thomas Piechota, PhD Water and its accessibility are topics of great interest—especially in the western United States. For that reason, the work of researchers like Tom Piechota is valuable. Over Piechota’s career, which began in... Read More →

101 - Jan / Feb 21

Stephen Galloway

Dean of Dodge College of Film & Media Arts

Stephen Galloway Stephen Galloway’s love of film started at an early age when he was swept up and carried away watching movies as a child in London theaters. The first picture he remembers seeing was “Snow White,” soon followed by the cult classic “The Night... Read More →

Stephen Galloway Stephen Galloway’s love of film started at an early age when he was swept up and carried away watching movies as a child in London theaters. The first picture he remembers seeing was... Read More →

100 - Nov / Dec 20

Lawrence (LB) Brown, PharmD, PhD

Vice Provost for Academic Administration

Lawrence (LB) Brown, PharmD, PhD When Chapman University’s Vice Provost for Academic Administration, Lawrence (LB) Brown, left the School of Pharmacy to take the administrative position in June 2019, he was somewhat apprehensive about the move. “Up until that point, my life had been about... Read More →

Lawrence (LB) Brown, PharmD, PhD When Chapman University’s Vice Provost for Academic Administration, Lawrence (LB) Brown, left the School of Pharmacy to take the administrative position in June 2019, he was somewhat apprehensive about the... Read More →

99 - Aug / Sep 20

Peter Simi, PhD

Associate Professor, Wilkinson College, Department of Sociology

Ask many accomplished individuals at what point they had an epiphany pointing toward life purpose, and they will often describe those moments of clarity in great detail. In some cases, those turning points occur at a young age. Such is the case with sociologist Peter... Read More →

Ask many accomplished individuals at what point they had an epiphany pointing toward life purpose, and they will often describe those moments of clarity in great detail. In some cases, those turning points occur at... Read More →

98 - Mar / Apr 20

Nancy Brink, M.Div.

Director of Church Relations

Nancy Brink, M.Div. The many students and parishioners who have benefited from Rev. Nancy Brink’s counsel over the years can thank a failed acting tryout. Intent on being a Broadway actress, at the beginning of her freshman year, she tried out for the one full... Read More →

Nancy Brink, M.Div. The many students and parishioners who have benefited from Rev. Nancy Brink’s counsel over the years can thank a failed acting tryout. Intent on being a Broadway actress, at the beginning of... Read More →

97 - Jan / Feb 20

Amir Raz, PhD

Director, Institute for Interdisiplinary Brain & Behavioral Sciences

Amir Raz, PhD Multi-talented people often experience a conundrum. With a wide variety of skills and interests, they may find it difficult to narrow down their choices in professions. While in middle school in his native Israel, Amir Raz found himself drawn to music and... Read More →

Amir Raz, PhD Multi-talented people often experience a conundrum. With a wide variety of skills and interests, they may find it difficult to narrow down their choices in professions. While in middle school in his... Read More →

96 - Nov / Dec 19

Carol Jue

Women’s Head Basketball Coach

Coach Carol Jue When coworkers heard Andrea Villanueva speaking about the coaching she receives from Carol Jue, Chapman University’s Women’s Head Basketball Coach, they asked if Jue was her life coach. “I laughed so hard, because she kind of is,” says Villanueva, who played basketball... Read More →

Coach Carol Jue When coworkers heard Andrea Villanueva speaking about the coaching she receives from Carol Jue, Chapman University’s Women’s Head Basketball Coach, they asked if Jue was her life coach. “I laughed so hard,... Read More →

95 - Sep / Oct 19

Matt Parlow

Dean of Fowler School of Law

Matt Parlow As a kid growing up in Los Angeles, Matt Parlow considered being a teacher or going into law. Chapman University’s Dean of Fowler School of Law and Donald P. Kennedy Chair in Law ended up going into both fields. “Teaching is in my... Read More →

Matt Parlow As a kid growing up in Los Angeles, Matt Parlow considered being a teacher or going into law. Chapman University’s Dean of Fowler School of Law and Donald P. Kennedy Chair in Law... Read More →

94 - Jul / Aug 19

Helen Norris

Vice President & Chief Information Officer

Helen Norris In the mid-1970s as a high school student in her native Ireland, Helen Norris had an experience that shaped her worldview and directed her future career. A nun discouraged Chapman University’s Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) from majoring in mathematics. “I... Read More →

Helen Norris In the mid-1970s as a high school student in her native Ireland, Helen Norris had an experience that shaped her worldview and directed her future career. A nun discouraged Chapman University’s Vice President... Read More →

93 - May / Jun 19

Blas Villalobos, DSW

Director of Veterans Affairs

Blas Villalobos, DSW Blas Villalobos grew up with a deep-rooted sense of community and has found that same sense of camaraderie throughout his career. That stability has stood him in good stead with his work serving veterans. Chapman University’s Director of Veterans Affairs, who runs... Read More →

Blas Villalobos, DSW Blas Villalobos grew up with a deep-rooted sense of community and has found that same sense of camaraderie throughout his career. That stability has stood him in good stead with his work... Read More →