Building Character Articles

92 - Mar / Apr 19

Dean of Argyros School of Business & Economics

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 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... Read More →

91 - Jan / Feb 19

Naveen Jonathan, PhD

Chair, Department of Marriage & Family Therapy

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 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... Read More →

90 - Nov / Dec 18

John Benitz

Chair, Department of Theatre

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 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.... Read More →

89 - Sep / Oct 18

Dr. Glenn Pfeiffer

Provost

Dr. Glenn Pfeiffer If you happen to look at the base of Glenn Pfeiffer’s computer monitor, you’d spy a number taped there currently at 5,059 and counting. The figure reminds Chapman University’s Provost his purpose as an educator. “The number, which keeps climbing, indicates how... Read More →

Dr. Glenn Pfeiffer If you happen to look at the base of Glenn Pfeiffer’s computer monitor, you’d spy a number taped there currently at 5,059 and counting. The figure reminds Chapman University’s Provost his purpose... Read More →

88 - Jul / Aug 18

Dr. Mark Maier

Director, Leadership Studies Program

Dr. Mark Maier At times when we’re young, we unknowingly get a glimpse into our futures. Such was the case for Mark Maier, who lived in Cocoa Beach, Florida in the early 1970s as a teen. “From our back doorstep, we’d watch the Apollo launches,... Read More →

Dr. Mark Maier At times when we’re young, we unknowingly get a glimpse into our futures. Such was the case for Mark Maier, who lived in Cocoa Beach, Florida in the early 1970s as a... Read More →

87 - May / Jun 18

Jeff Tollaksen, PhD

Director, Institute of Quantum Studies

Jeff Tollaksen, PhD At an age when many other kids were pondering questions such as whether they could talk their parents into ice cream for dessert, Jeff Tollaksen contemplated higher-level questions about the inner workings of the universe. As he walked through the forest and... Read More →

Jeff Tollaksen, PhD At an age when many other kids were pondering questions such as whether they could talk their parents into ice cream for dessert, Jeff Tollaksen contemplated higher-level questions about the inner workings... Read More →

86 - Mar / Apr 18

Dr. Margaret Grogan

Dean of Attallah College of Educational Studies

Dr. Margaret Grogan Margaret Grogan learned early on the synergistic, powerful effects of combining characteristics while working on life’s endeavors. “My father was a geneticist and researched hybrid maize in search of an improved corn for cattle feed,” says Grogan, who grew up in Australia.... Read More →

Dr. Margaret Grogan Margaret Grogan learned early on the synergistic, powerful effects of combining characteristics while working on life’s endeavors. “My father was a geneticist and researched hybrid maize in search of an improved corn... Read More →

85 - Jan / Feb 18

Dr. Patrick Fuery

Founding Director of the Center for Creative & Cultural Industries

Dr. Patrick Fuery If you have a keen ear for accents, you might be a bit baffled when you initially speak with Patrick Fuery. Chapman University’s Dean of Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences sounds British and Australian. There’s a good reason for... Read More →

Dr. Patrick Fuery If you have a keen ear for accents, you might be a bit baffled when you initially speak with Patrick Fuery. Chapman University’s Dean of Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social... Read More →

84 - Nov/Dec 17

Gregory A. Daddis, PhD

Gregory A. Daddis, PhD 1989, when Gregory Daddis joined the Army as a lieutenant after graduating from West Point and went through officer training, a centuries old book taught him the integral role history plays when it comes to war. “We were at Fort Knox... Read More →

Gregory A. Daddis, PhD 1989, when Gregory Daddis joined the Army as a lieutenant after graduating from West Point and went through officer training, a centuries old book taught him the integral role history plays... Read More →

83 - Sep/Oct 17

Lisa Sparks, PhD

Lisa Sparks, PhD Lisa Sparks, PhD Growing up in Woodward, Oklahoma—otherwise known as “Tornado Alley”—Lisa Sparks learned early on the value of effective communication. “With frequent tornadoes, we were always in crisis mode,” says Chapman’s Dean and Endowed Professor of the School of Communication. “We... Read More →

Lisa Sparks, PhD Lisa Sparks, PhD Growing up in Woodward, Oklahoma—otherwise known as “Tornado Alley”—Lisa Sparks learned early on the value of effective communication. “With frequent tornadoes, we were always in crisis mode,” says Chapman’s... Read More →