THE CROWD:

It was an evening of grand style supporting a goal of significant importance, raising much needed funds for student scholarships.

Chapman University’s American Celebration 2007 attracted the best and brightest of Orange County society for an evening that showcased the spirited and multidimensional talents of Chapman students in a performance that rivaled any professional theatrical production.

The crowd, including a large contingent of Newport-Mesa support, arrived at the Chapman campus in Orange on a recent Saturday evening. Guests were escorted to an al fresco cocktail reception prior to converging on Memorial Hall for the show created by William Hall, a 26-year veteran of conducting the American Celebration orchestra. Hall is the dean of the new College of Performing Arts.

It is said that any organization or institution takes its lead from the top. Chapman University, in the hands of Jim Doti with unbridled support from prominent members of the Orange County family, has transformed into a formidable university attracting national attention.

Doti is, simply put, a remarkable leader.

Along with his wife, Lynne Doti, who is also an accomplished educator and community leader, Jim’s intelligence, warmth, and his leadership style have inspired the big-money donors as well as the average Orange County citizen, and a diverse cross section of faculty and students who have come together to pursue what Doti is proud of calling a “value-oriented education.”

He is not preaching any particular ideological set of rules and regulations but rather in the spirit of Chapman’s connection to the late Albert Schweitzer, whose statue graces a central courtyard on campus, it is simply the values of human decency, cooperation, respect, and the advancement of the human condition and society as a whole that are forefront in the goals of people who believe in Jim Doti and his leadership.

The list is long, and it is impressive: George and Julia Argyros, Zee Allred, Nancy and Jim Baldwin, Marta and Raj Bhathal, Kristina and Larry Dodge, Daranne and Paul Folino, Mike and Ellie Gordon, Dan and Danni Good, Dee and Doy Henley, Lula Halfacre, Donald and Dorothy Kennedy, Joann Leatherby and Greg Bates, Dick and Bo Marconi, Suki and Randy McCardle, and major honorees of the 2007 American Celebration Marybelle and S. Paul Musco. And this is only a partial list.

Paul and Marybelle Musco entered the stage at the invitation of Jim Doti as he was making introductions of the many important university associates and sponsors, including co-chairs of the evening Jim and Kelly Mazzo, Mike Robinson, Chuck Adams, Don Crevier, and Al Parajeckas.

Following a video introduction of the Muscos, the couple proceeded to share an emotional thank you with the crowd for their honorary recognition in association with Chapman University.

Paul Musco told the story of presenting a terminally ill young girl with a strand of pearls. The young child thanked Musco telling him that it was the most beautiful gift that she had ever received.

Paul broke into tears as he told the crowd of nearly a thousand guests in black tie that the young girl passed away shortly after their meeting but that he had never forgotten the importance of giving. It was the message of the night.

Following a Broadway-caliber student musical production, another honored guest of the evening was introduced. The legendary “triple threat” Tony-, Emmy- and Oscar-winning performer Rita Moreno took to the stage and took no prisoners delivering a candid and heartfelt thank you for the Lifetime Achievement award.

The crowd was escorted out of Memorial Hall, down its turn-of-the-century concrete steps and into a dinner tent that was as elegant as any party given by Jay Gatsby. The theme was black and white with crystal chandeliers hanging over a massive dance floor.

The orchestra played as a gala dinner was served, beginning with a Mediterranean shrimp, avocado and eggplant salsa, followed by a filet of beef Rossini with fois gras and shaved black truffle. For dessert a banana crème brulée paired with a chocolate dipped macaroon. Guests raved about the quality of the dinner which was prepared by the campus catering company Sodexo.

Also in the crowd were Stacy Nicholas, Milan and Milena Panic, Libby Pankey, Pam and Malcolm Paul, Aiden and Ann Raney, Joan Riach, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Gail and Ron Soderling, Ralph and Sue Stern, Steve and Mary Lavin, and Twyla and Chuck Martin.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.