Martins give Chapman a chair

Orange Coast philanthropists Charles and Twyla Martin have given a $2

million gift to Chapman University.

Chapman President Jim Doti made the announcement at a recent

conference held at the university campus, entitled “Women in Focus.”

The funds will benefit the university’s Dodge College of Film and

Media Arts, where a chair will be named the Twyla Reed Martin Dean’s

Chair in Film and Media Arts. The endowed chair will be held by

current Chapman Dean Bob Bassett.

The gift announcement was timed with the recent “Women in Focus”

seminar because Twyla Martin has passionately supported the new media

school, created with the unprecedented multi-million dollar support

of Newport Coast residents Kristina and Larry Dodge.

The recent conference at Chapman, sponsored by Martin and Nancy

Baldwin -- another generous Chapman benefactor and gracious Orange

County philanthropist -- brought together well-known female producers

from the world of entertainment and media to share experiences.

Appropriately, the gathering was called “Producing the Vision.”

Panelists included Ilona Hertzberg (“The Manchurian Candidate”),

Alex Rose (“Norma Rae”) and Janet Yang (“The Joy Luck Club”).

The afternoon at Chapman was moderated by Buffy Shutt, a partner

in Shutt Jones Productions at Universal Studios.

“The term ‘producer’ has become somewhat devalued,” said Shutt,

who also teaches at Chapman. “It’s not just about someone who brings

money to a project. A true producer has hands on from developing an

idea to researching locations, signing talent, overseeing the script,

and so much more.”

The guests included Newport’s Joan and Tom Riach, Lily and Paul

Merage, Marion Knott, Jillyn and Ted Verdon, Lisa Colburn, Nancy and

Jim Baldwin and Kristina and Larry Dodge, all joining the Martins for

lunch on campus. They then joined a crowd of some 400 students,

anxious to learn more about “the business”.

Twyla Martin shared her personal enthusiasm, explaining why she

and her husband made a significant contribution to the school.

“When I met Bob Bassett and saw what he was trying to do, I was

excited from the very beginning,” she said. “Bassett’s leadership and

vision will make Chapman a world class film school.”

Charles Martin joined his elegant wife in stating, “This gift

feels just right.”

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.