Chapman Trustee George L. Agryros
and Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Don Sodaro.

Chapman Trustee Harry Rinker and wife
Diane at the American Celebration gala.

Chapman Trustee Doy Henley and wife Dee
at American Celebration 2008.

Chapman Trustee George Argyros and Julia Argyros at American Celebration 2008.

Diane Rinker, James Baldwin and Chapman Trustee Harry Rinker at American
Celebration 2008.

Chapman supporter Libby Pankey with Don Sodaro, chairman of the Chapman Board of Trustees, at American Celebration.

Chapman Trustees Raj Bhathal (American Celebration co-chair) and Jim Mazzo
(Corporate Citizen of the Year honoree) enjoy the VIP reception at American Celebration.

Gary Babick, Chapman President’s
Cabinet member Larry Dodge and
Chapman Trustee Mark Chapin Johnson
at American Celebration 2008.

The students perform “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”

Students perform a scene from “Top Hat.”

The students perform the hilarious
“Triplets” number from the hit
movie musical “The Band Wagon.”

Chapman students evoke the spirit of
Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse in
“Dancing in the Dark.”

The student performers sing the show
finale, “That’s Entertainment.”

President Doti dances with Chapman
supporter Julia Argyros in "Cheek to Cheek."

Scene from “On the Town” in
American Celebration 2008.

Guest of honor Tommy Tune, nine-time
Tony Award winner, gets ready to do a
little tap routine in thanks for being
honored with Chapman’s Lifetime
Achievement in the Arts Award.

Chapman students dance in the show’s
closing number, “That’s Entertainment.”

The students perform a scene from “On
the Town,” the classic Gene Kelly movie.

Chapman President Jim Doti performs in
the opening number, “Singin’ in the Rain.”

Chapman President Jim Doti and Chapman supporter Julia Argyros perform a ballroom dance during the show’s tribute to Fred Astaire.

President Doti (on a step-stool!) with
Tommy Tune in the "Favorite Son" hand-clapping routine from Tune's Tony-winning "Will Rogers Follies."

President Doti stands up to 6-foot 6 ½-inch Tommy Tune: “I always looked up to you,
but I had no idea how much till now.”

The evening’s star honoree, Broadway
legend Tommy Tune, with Julia Argyros.
Tune received Chapman’s 2008 Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award.

The wait staff is ready to serve American Celebration’s signature martinis.

The artistically presented salad/soup
course: a champagne-poached lobster
salad with caviar vinaigrette and a
demitasse of lobster bisque.

The dinner tent interior sparkled with
décor that recalled a Hollywood
nightclub of the early 1950s.

President Jim Doti greeted guest Vanna White.

Chapman Ambassadors, ready to assist American Celebration guests.
 

After dinner, guests danced the night away
to a live band.

Chapman Trustee S. Paul Musco and wife Marybelle (right) with granddaughter
Gabriella David, a Chapman student, at American Celebration 2008.

Men of the hour: American Celebration’s
artistic director, Dale Merrill, associate dean
of the College of Performing Arts, and
music director Dr. Bill Hall, dean of the
College of Performing Arts.

Honorees Kelly and Jim Mazzo, who received
the Corporate Citizens of the Year Award.