»Founders Day
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Telling Chapman Stories
The Office of Church Relations is excited to host a reinvigorated Founders Day on March 8, 2025 featuring the first ever Chapman StoryHour in which storytellers from the Chapman community will tell real stories and draw us together as community. The theme of the StoryHour is "Oops... I did it again!" Rebecca Anderson, storytelling trainer, will help our storytellers craft their narratives in ways that will draw us in and draw us closer together. We look forward to alumni, Chapman staff, students, and community members sharing their stories. We will discover more about each other and establish a sense of shared community through the gift of hearing these voices.
Founders Day is an annual event sponsored by the Office of Church Relations which connects students, staff, faculty, and community members in a celebration of Chapman University’s founding, and current relationships with the Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ and all that it means to belong to the Chapman community.
The day will begin with a café hour where local musicians will play light music as we make new friendships and reconnect with friends who are like family. Coffee will be served to compliment the coffee house atmosphere.
Rev. Dr. Joel Brown, President of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society will preach at the morning worship service following the café hour. Chapman's Disciples on Campus students will lead the service and a number of talented musicians will invoke the Spirit’s presence, including the Chapman University Singers.
Following worship there will be workshop opportunities, including a workshop offered by DCHS President Joel Brown, and a workshop on the history of black music in the United States offered by musician and activist Angelica Rowell. Further workshop opportunities and more details to come.
During the time designated for lunch, opportunities for campus tours and a look at a showcase of items from special collections at the Leatherby Libraries will be provided.
The StoryHour will be the climax of the day, a true celebration of our Chapman community. A Disciples on Campus alumni party off-campus will conclude the day.
For the Chapman Community: the morning worship and the StoryHour event are free to Chapman students, staff, and faculty by presenting your Chapman I.D. at the door. Lunch is not included. If you would like a boxed lunch you will need to register and pay online. Donations to off-set the costs of the day will be gladly accepted.
REGISTER NOW or contact Ticketing Services at 714-997-6812. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Meet the Workshop Facilitators
Rev. Dr. Joel Brown
Workshop - TBD
Joel A. Brown (he/him) is President of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, which is located in Bethany, West Virginia, just a few steps from the home of Alexander Campbell.
The Historical Society is a general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with the special mandate to serve all three major streams of the Stone-Campbell movement: Churches of Christ, the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Historical Society preserves records and artifacts common to our traditions and foster collaboration and conversation through historical research, publications, and lectures.
Joel is a scholar of American religious history and specializes in the study of race and religion in modern U.S. history. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and is currently finishing a book titled Saving Black Metropolis: African American Club Women and Social Christianity in Turn-of-the-Century Chicago. Joel is also working on several religious biographies of Disciples figures, including James Garfield and John Muir.
Angelica Rowell
Workshop - The Evolution of Black Music: A Journey Through Sound and Spirit
Unearth and explore the Black roots of American music, tracing its origins from traditional
West African rhythms to its profound influence on the music of today. With a focus
on Negro Spirituals and gospel, participants will explore how these genres emerged
as powerful expressions of faith, resilience, and freedom.
Angelica Rowell (she/her) is a singer, actress, writer, and arts educator based in Los Angeles, California. She is adamant about the power art has to change perspectives, and strives to create works that open doors for marginalized peoples while educating others in hopes of creating a more understanding and just world.
As a creative, Angelica has sung as a session singer on the soundtrack for Avatar 2: The Way of Water and as a featured soloist for the LA Philharmonic’s centennial commision by Pulitzer Prize winner, Ellen Reid; performed in musicals and operas, including The Industry’s acclaimed Sweet Land, debuted various plays with theatre companies across Los Angeles, and co-wrote two episodes on AMC Allblk’s TV show, SNAP. She is also a member of Los Angeles’ premier women’s choir, VOX Femina and social justice choir, Tonality.
In addition to her creative work, Angelica has guest lectured at universities, led and created social justice-based workshops for adults and youth, is a founding member of the arts non-profit Black Light Arts Collective (BLAC), and serves as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant on Bay Area-based theatre company, Poison Apple. She holds bachelor’s degrees in theatre and classical voice from the University of California, Irvine.
Meet Rebecca Anderson and the Story Tellers
Rebecca Anderson, StoryHour Facilitator
Rebecca Anderson is co-pastor at two churches in Chicago. She spends Sunday mornings at Bethany UCC, a 129-year old neighborhood church, and Sunday evenings at Gilead, a queer storytelling bar church that she started from scratch with friend and colleague Vince Amlin.
Rebecca is a storyteller, weaver, gardener, fair-weather cyclist, and starry-eyed pessimist. She’s appeared on Snap Judgment (radio) and podcasts including The Broad Experience and Called to be Bad. Active in the Chicago storytelling scene, she has performed with events like Paper Machete, Outspoken, RISK!, 2nd Story, The Moth, and This Much is True.
As the founder and head honcho of Earshot she also makes storytelling events and workshops across the country and now internationally (thanks, Canada). She has created events at the Wild Goose Festival, General Synod (UCC), and General Assembly (Disciples of Christ).
Rebecca is ordained in The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She has an MDiv from the University of Chicago and a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Playwrighting from Hampshire College (Amherst, MA).
She's always looking for the least crowded forest preserves, her biscuits are unparalleled, and she knows the best places to pick juneberries.
Chapman Community Story Tellers
Rev. Sarah Averette-Phillips '12, Rev. Nancy Brink, Rev. April Lewton '01, Rev. Dan Oliver, Dr. Kevin Nguyen-Stockbridge '17, Ruthie Weeks '24, and Hannah Wells '24
Schedule
All events are in the Fish Interfaith Center unless otherwise noted.
Saturday, March 8
| 9:00 a.m. |
Check-in opens and Cafe Hour with live music begins |
| 10:15 a.m. |
Worship featuring the Chapman University Singers and |
| 11:45 a.m. |
Lunch begins with boxed meals |
| 12:15 p.m. |
Options during lunch: Special Collections tour at the |
| 1:00 p.m. |
Workshops in various rooms on campus |
| 2:30-4:30 p.m. |
StoryHour |
| 5:00 p.m. |
Disciples on Campus Alumni Party (off campus) |
Registration Fees
Directions to Chapman & Parking
Hotel Accommodations
ALO Hotel by Ayres
3737 W. Chapman Ave, Orange CA, 92868
Special Chapman University Rate of $145.00 per night plus occupancy tax (includes full American buffet breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi access).
To make a reservation, call: (714) 978-9168 ext. 0 and ask for the “Chapman Rate.”