Chapman's Founders

From its earliest days on the American frontier, the religious movement now known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was zealous in the establishment of institutions of higher education.  The leading visionary among early Disciples was Alexander Campbell who established the earliest Disciples-related school, Buffalo Seminary, in 1818.  Anticipating many of the reforms of Horace Mann, Campbell’s educational philosophy stressed the importance of educating the whole person—intellectually, physically, socially, and spiritually.

The first Disciples-related college opened on November 10, 1836.  Originally named Bacon College in honor of Francis Bacon, the school’s legacy lives on today (through merger and name changes) in three institutions:  University of Kentucky, Transylvania University, and Lexington Theological Seminary.

The first Disciples-related college in California, Hesperian College, began classes on March 4, 1861, timed to coincide with the inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln.  Established in the northern California town of Woodland, Hesperian admitted students of both sexes and all races—an uncommon educational concept at that time.

In 1920 C. C. Chapman offered $400,000 to establish a college in Los Angeles if local Disciples would match his gift.  In a matter of months Chapman’s matching offer was over subscribed as 4441 “founders” contributed to make the long-cherish dream a reality.  After absorbing the assets of Hesperian College, California Christian College began classes September 9, 1920 in the Wilshire Boulevard Christian Church while the campus was being built on North Vermont Avenue.

C. C. Chapman served as chairman of the board of trustees until 1938, and it was largely through his generosity that the school survived the lean years of the great depression.  In the spring of 1934 during an extended absence due to serious illness, the board of trustees renamed the school in his honor—Chapman College.

During World War II, Chapman College shared the campus of Whittier College when the U. S. Navy leased Chapman’s facilities for a school of engineering.  Soon after returning to the Vermont Avenue campus, the need for a larger location became apparent.  After researching several sites, Chapman College purchased the old Orange High School property on April 6, 1954.

On September 10, 1991 Chapman College became Chapman University.  Enabled by the visionary leadership and generosity of many committed and caring individuals, Chapman University has developed into “a preeminent university engaged in distinguished liberal arts and professional programs that are interconnected, reach beyond the boundaries of the classroom and work toward developing the whole person:  the intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual dimensions of life.”