Building Character Articles

Associate Professor, Wilkinson College, Department of Sociology

99 - Aug / Sep 20

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...

Nancy Brink, M.Div.

Director of Church Relations

98 - Mar / Apr 20

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...

Amir Raz, PhD

Director, Institute for Interdisiplinary Brain & Behavioral Sciences

97 - Jan / Feb 20

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...

Carol Jue

Women’s Head Basketball Coach

96 - Nov / Dec 19

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...

Matt Parlow

Dean of Fowler School of Law

95 - Sep / Oct 19

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...

Helen Norris

Vice President & Chief Information Officer

94 - Jul / Aug 19

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...

Blas Villalobos, DSW

Director of Veterans Affairs

93 - May / Jun 19

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...

Thomas Turk, PhD

Dean of Argyros School of Business & Economics

92 - Mar / Apr 19

Thomas Turk, PhD Given the fact that Thomas Turk’s work is based on attention to details, he finds it ironic that he didn’t have a plan when he chose his college major. “Like many 18-year-olds, I didn’t give much thought to picking my... Read More →

Thomas Turk, PhD Given the fact that...

Naveen Jonathan, PhD

Chair, Department of Marriage & Family Therapy

91 - Jan / Feb 19

Naveen Jonathan, PhD As a kid, Naveen Jonathan found himself drawn to being a good listener. He would lend an ear when friends wanted to talk and could be counted on for encouragement. So when he ultimately decided to go into the field of... Read More →

Naveen Jonathan, PhD As a kid, Naveen...

John Benitz

Chair, Department of Theatre

90 - Nov / Dec 18

John Benitz You know those movie scenes when the star meets someone or makes a discovery and just knows that destiny has arrived? John Benitz has experienced this at least twice in his lifetime. “The first time I knew ‘this is it’ occurred... Read More →

John Benitz You know those movie scenes...