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Two-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank, left, shares a laugh with Chapman University president Daniele Struppa during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony at Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Chapman University mascot, Pete the Panther, left, celebrates with graduates Danielle Moraga, center, and Jaelynn Ledesma, both 22, before the start of the 2025 Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Graduates celebrate after the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Gianna Arenas, 22, who received a degree in graphic design & computer science, records video as she runs onto Wilson Field before the start of the 2025 Chapman University Commencement Ceremony at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Eric Hall, Student Government President, speaks during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Glenn Pfeiffer, acting provost, speaks during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Banners representing the various colleges at Chapman University are part of the procession to open the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Michelle Philo, president of the Chapman University Alumni Association, delivers the alumni speech during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Dr. Jerry Price, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, speaks during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Chapman University graduates listen to the commencement address by two-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Two-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank delivers Chapman University’s commencement address at Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
With a phone in hand, a graduate stands on a chair to wave to her family and friends in the stands during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Chapman University president Daniele Struppa delivers the opening speech during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Graduate Hannah Bauer, 21, center, poses for a group family selfie following the 2025 Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. Bauer received her degree in software engineering. Bauer received a degree in software engineering. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Chapman University president Daniele Struppa delivers the opening speech during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Two-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank, at the podium, delivers Chapman University’s commencement address at Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Two-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank waves to graduates before giving Chapman University’s commencement address at Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Graduates embrace following the conclusion of the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Graduates fill the seats during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
College of Educational Studies graduate Kaitlyn Ambriz Holl, the daughter of the late Orange City Councilman Steve Ambriz, who was killed in a car accident in 2006 when she was three years old, attends the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. In response to Steve Ambriz’s passing, then-Chapman President Jim Doti created a scholarship for Kaitlyn. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Chapman University president Daniele Struppa, left, applauds as actress Hillary Swank, right, is awarded an honorary Doctor of the Arts degree in recognition of her artistic achievements and philanthropic work, including her leadership of The Hilaroo Foundation, which connects foster youth with rescue animals during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Two-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank, at the podium, delivers Chapman University’s commencement address at Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
College of Educational Studies graduate Kaitlyn Ambriz Holl, the daughter of the late Orange City Councilman Steve Ambriz, who was killed in a car accident in 2006 when she was three years old, attends the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. In response to Steve Ambriz’s passing, then-Chapman President Jim Doti created a scholarship for Kaitlyn. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Graduates celebrate after the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Brianna Jones, 21, left, and Gillian Mistry, 21, take a selfie during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. Jones received a degree in communications studies and Mistry in entertainment marketing. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Graduates pose for a photo during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Chapman University mascot, Pete the Panther, left, is cheered by graduates after the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Graduates celebrate with the streamers fired by the confetti canon after the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
Graduates react when they see themselves on the jumbo screen following the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) -
A graduate stands on a chair to wave to his family in the stands during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony on Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Two-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank, left, shares a laugh with Chapman University president Daniele Struppa during the Chapman University Commencement Ceremony at Wilson Field at Chapman University in Orange on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chapman University kicked off a weekend of commencement festivities Friday night as guest speaker and two-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank delivered the keynote address to thousands of graduates and their families at Wilson Field.
Close to 2,600 Panthers are graduating, including 750 with advanced degrees.
The Argyros College of Business and Economics leads the way with 522 grads, followed by the Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences with 458 and the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts with 421.
Celebrations this weekend include nine school-specific ceremonies, the last of which are on Sunday.
The weekend also marks the end of President Daniele Struppa’s tenure. He’ll be returning to the Chapman faculty in the fall.
Struppa has led the university since 2016, overseeing the university endowment’s growth from $300 million to more than $780 million.
Chapman has tapped one of its own as Struppa’s successor. Executive vice president and former law school dean Matt Parlow will become the university’s 14th president and will be in place for the start of the school year in the fall.