Dear Colleagues,
I hope that this email finds you well. Today, I am pleased to announce an impactful gift to the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts that supports our students and advances Inspire: The Campaign for Chapman University. The Dhont Family Foundation has made a transformative $1.5 million gift to establish the Dhont Family Innovation Hub at Dodge College, while also continuing their support of the Community Voices: Global Stories program.
The Dhont Family Innovation Hub, a new state-of-the-art facility, will enhance our students’ cinematic storytelling in exciting ways. It will house a 180-degree wraparound LED screen, a professional soundstage, and a suite of virtual production capabilities that integrate cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools. The Innovation Hub is envisioned as a space where students experiment freely, push boundaries, and develop the technical fluency needed to succeed in an ever-evolving industry.
This gift also extends the Dhont Family Foundation’s support of Community Voices: Global Stories, led by Professor Sally Rubin. This distinguished program merges social activism with documentary filmmaking. It also enables students to travel across the U.S. and internationally to capture stories that span cultural empathy, creative vision, and global citizenship.
Over the years, films created through the Community Voices program have proudly earned a place on the international stage. Projects have been screened at festivals such as Cannes, Tribeca, Big Sky, and Doc NYC, and aired on platforms including PBS, KCET, and Argo. The program has launched graduates into careers with CNN Films, Netflix, National Geographic, and other major outlets, and many of these alumni continue to amplify social issues through cinematic storytelling.
I want to thank Andre Dhont and the Dhont Family Foundation for believing in the dreams and creative abilities of our Chapman students and community. This gift will reinforce Dodge College’s position at the top of the list for talented storytellers who aspire to work alongside the gifted students, faculty, and staff at Dodge College.
I also want to thank each of you for your work and commitment that drives the success of our Inspire campaign, which today exceeds $403 million. It is wonderful to be part of a community that cares so deeply for our students.
Best,
Matt