THE CROWD:Grand opening scene at Chapman

The latest milestone in the phenomenal growth of Orange County unfolded last Saturday evening in Orange. Surrounded by 19th century clapboard cottages built on palm-tree-lined avenues that supported pioneer family life in this once agrarian region, a contemporary complex of architecturally handsome buildings has risen on the campus of Chapman University. There were no klieg lights chasing the night sky, no trumpets blaring. The debut of the Marion Knott Studios at the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts on the expanded Chapman University campus, though, was indeed a major milestone event in the history of this community.

Organizers fittingly called the debut the Premier. And it was just that. Hollywood celebrities, including Virginia Madsen, co-star of the acclaimed film “Sideways,” and Angela Bassett, most recently starring in “Akeelah and the Bee,” appeared in Oscar-worthy, floor-length gowns graciously accepting Chapman’s first Art of Film award and Dream Maker award, respectively. Bassett’s husband, Courtney B. Vance, of television’s “Law and Order,” joined fellow actor Tom Arnold, TV hostess Vanna White and the beautiful Oscar-nominated actress Shohreh Aghdashloo among the glitterati mixing with Orange County society to celebrate the beginning of a new era, both at Chapman and in the county at large.

Gilbert Le Vasseur of Laguna Beach, attending the black tie evening with his elegant wife, Victoria, commented, “This tremendous success is due in great part to the work of Jim Doti. His leadership and his ability to build coalitions and bring people together has forged this growth.”

Doti, a noted economist and the president of Chapman University, has presided over the expansion of recent years, raising significant dollars to not only build but also attract quality professors and students. On this Saturday evening, the results were a shining tribute to Doti.

Newport hostess and international travel writer and photographer Pat Neisser said, “This is a very proud night for Orange County.”

Indeed. The new film school will have far-reaching effects as students enter the diverse fields of the media that will dominate future communications. Those attending the Premiere shared a sense of this power, as if they were privy to some great moment of positive charge in society. Perhaps they were.

The evening was chaired by Twyla Reed Martin, who, with her husband, Charles Martin, are also major donors to Chapman University. Twyla Reed Martin presided over the affair with great care and attention to detail. She was also very much the star of the evening, wearing a $35-million diamond necklace provided by the premiere sponsor of the night, Black Starr & Frost Jewelers, South Coast Plaza. She whisked about showing off the nearly 80-carat, pear-shaped diamond drop displayed on a choker of brilliant round diamonds. It was a most elegant and extravagant debut, with the main dinner presented in a round tent centered by a jazz combo on a raised platform with large TV screens positioned overhead and broadcasting images from classic films throughout the dinner.

Twyla Reed Martin and her committee, including Kris Elftmann, Paul Folino, Pat Jones, Cyrus Makarechian and Paul Makarechian, created a party worthy of memories. Event producers from Best Events helped create an Asian theme, which dominated the main tent. Shimmering ruby red square chargers were at each place setting. Round and rectangular tables with dark wooden bamboo Chivari chairs alternated; all tables adorned with multiple varieties of bonsai topiaries. Simple, yet stunning and very impressive.

Hostesses, including Newport’s Zee Allred, Julia Argyros, Nancy Baldwin, Tricia Berns, Hyla Bertea, Lynn Booth, Olivia Abel, Sally Crockett, Daranne Folino, Maralou Harrington, Patricia Marshall, Marybelle Musco, Mindy Sterns and Valarie Wahler, to name only a select few, helped to create a spectacular evening that spilled over into after-party tents that each sported a special theme such as “Film Noir Soiree,” “Beach Blanket,” “Sitcom Blast” and “Western Hoedown.”

The party was a complement to the heart of the event, which was to introduce the new facilities at the university. The VIP crowd — including Chapman board chair and Lido Isle residents Don and DeeDee Sodaro, Newport’s Gail and Ron Soderling, Harriet and Sandy Sardhu of Newport Coast, Susan and Henry Samueli of Corona del Mar, CeCe and Randall Presley, Joan Riach, Debbie Simon, Nancy and Donald Wynne, Judy and David Threshie, Lula and Marion Halfacre, Sue and Ralph Stern, Joanne Leatherby and Greg Bates, Dorothy and Don Kennedy, and Dee and Doy Henley — entered the new Folino Theatre within the Marion Knott Studios complex to witness the first presentation of Chapman student work on film.

In Hollywood tradition, the film came to life in a segment featuring Doti and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. As the film clip ended, Schwarzenegger stepped out on stage and joined Doti in hosting the premiere. The crowd roared as the pair bantered. Doti thanked the Governator for his steadfast support and proceeded to name the major donors in the crowd, asking them to stand and take a bow. Among the distinguished guests were Kristina and Lawrence Dodge, Marion Knott, Edger and Elizabeth Pankey, DeeDee and Donald Sodaro, and Paul and Daranne Folino, who also championed the capital campaign that brought in more than $40 million in grants and pledges in addition to major gifts. Others recognized were Lynette and Michael Hayde, Sandra and David Stone, Jack and Belle Lindquist, Gary and Karen Bastien, Nancy and Jim Baldwin, Alex and Barbara Bowie and former Ambassador to Spain George Argyros and Julia Argyros.

The evening began in grand style as Fletcher Jones Motorcars of Newport Beach provided a fleet of exotic Maybach automobiles to arrive in formation escorting celebrity guests and ended with panache as some 500 donors returned to their own cars at the valet station to find $100 gift certificates, from corporate sponsor Saks Fifth Avenue South Coast Plaza, awaiting them on their car seats.