Dear Colleagues,
I hope that this email finds you well. I write to share exciting news that will further enrich our university and expand opportunities for students across multiple disciplines. Trustee Nella Webster O’Grady and her husband, Kevin O’Grady, have made a generous $1 million gift to strengthen key initiatives in business education, the arts, and entrepreneurship. Their gift will provide critical support to the Argyros College of Business and Economics, the Hilbert Museum of California Art, and the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics.
In the Argyros College, their gift will expand immersive leadership programs that prepare students for the rapidly evolving business landscape. At the Hilbert Museum, it will support exhibitions and educational outreach, ensuring broader access to the arts. Through the Leatherby Center, it will foster entrepreneurship by equipping students and community innovators with mentorship and startup resources.
The Webster O’Grady family’s commitment to Chapman is deeply rooted in Nella’s experience as a business student in the late 1960s. One of just three women in the Argyros School at the time, she found her passion for accounting at Chapman and credits her education with giving her the confidence and skills to navigate the business world. A career-launching on-campus interview led her to a role in financial services—where she would later meet Kevin, her future husband and business partner. Together, they built a highly successful financial advisory firm, emphasizing excellence, integrity, and client-first service. In addition to their recent gift and many years of generosity, Nella and Kevin have demonstrated their enduring support for Chapman through a legacy gift, ensuring that future generations of students will have access to the same transformative opportunities that shaped Nella’s career.
This generous gift is a testament to the Webster O’Grady family’s deep belief in the power of education, innovation, and the arts. It also strengthens our momentum in the Inspire Campaign, which has now raised more than $403 million, creating transformative opportunities for students and faculty.
Thank you to Nella, Kevin, and all of you for your ongoing dedication to advancing Chapman’s mission and impact.
Best,
Matt