A new name on the marquee at Chapman University

B.W. COOK

Big money for higher education was the big-ticket luncheon at Shady

Canyon Golf Club in Irvine.

A capacity crowd of Newport-Mesa supporters of Chapman University

filled the dining room facing the California scenery of hills, cactus

and Shady Canyon’s course. They had come to applaud Kristina Dodge, a

young, attractive and naturally engaging Newport Coast resident, who

teamed up with husband Larry Dodge to make a $20 million donation to

Chapman University, the largest ever in the history of the

institution. As a result, the Chapman College of Film and Media Arts

is now named the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.

Chapman President Jim Doti was at the luncheon crowd to welcome

Dodge and to praise many others in attendance for their support.

Marion Knott of the Knott’s Berry Farm family was applauded for her

$5 million gift. Also acknowledged by Doti were Hyla Bertea, wife of

Newport industrialist Richard Bertea; and Ce Ce Presley, the

granddaughter of legendary Hollywood director Cecil B. DeMille.

Chapman film school Dean Bob Bassett, attending the luncheon event

with Janell Shearer, greeted the crowd with enthusiasm. Chapman plans

to make the Dodge school on par with film programs at prestigious

schools like USC and NYU.

Kristina Dodge shared some of her passion with the gathering,

saying her love of film was rooted in the communication of

humanitarian ideals. Dodge and her sister have worked together on

film projects with the documentary format close to their hearts.

Educators at Chapman will cover the gamut, bringing in major

filmmakers as faculty members and guests discussing and dissecting

everything from documentary to drama, comedy and more.

Dodge was joined by close family and friends including Joanne

Maguire, Janet Mitchell, Kaaren Parker, Betsy Rosen, Jacquelyn

Stevenson and Johnelle Zarutskie. The luncheon was chaired with

panache by OC social standout Twyla Martin, wife of financial

entrepreneur Charles Martin.

The stylish afternoon also featured a dramatic fall-winter fashion

show featuring the Escada Collection. Escada VIP Michael Walker, in

from New York, brought an exquisite line that impressed the crowd.

Kimberly Narahara of the South Coast Plaza Escada boutique joined

regional executive Ilsa Straub, well-known to the Newport society

crowd, for the presentation.

As lunch was served, the models paraded the dining room. In the

crowd were Zee Allred, Ronnie Allumbaugh, Nancy Baldwin, Cerise

Feeley, Karen Betson, Ninetta Herbert, Patricia Marshall, Irene

Matthews, Suki McCardle, Sharon McKinnon, Carol Primm, Jan Salta,

Debbie Simon and Valaree Wahler.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.