History
The Center was endowed by Ralph W. Leatherby in 1995. Ralph, the founding Director of the Center, was an Orange County businessman and the patriarch of the philanthropic Leatherby family. He served as a trustee at Chapman College in the 1980s following a term as chairman of the Advisory Board of the George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics. Ralph was born in 1925 in a small farm town in Iowa and served in World War II as a member of the U.S. Army infantry. He founded the Leatherby Insurance Company in Fullerton, and later UniCare Insurance, which was at one time the largest insurance firm in the county.
The Opportunity
Small businesses are the economic engine of the Nation’s economy. Chapman University’s multi-disciplinary academic programs play a crucial part in equipping students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and the community to contribute to the economy and, complementing the academics, the Center provides the essential practicum to complete their education, training
Vision
The Argyros School of Business & Economics - Leatherby Center serves as a central hub for Chapman University’s collective entrepreneurial expertise and supports its community to address tomorrow’s challenges today.
Mission
We make real what matters. Our expertise in business strategy, financial analysis and new product-service commercialization allow us to develop our students, enrich faculty and connect alumni with idea generation.
