Chapman University President Doti to step down, return to teaching

He elevated Chapman University’s name around the nation, and in August, at the close of his 25 years as its leader, President James Doti says he plans to step down to return to teaching.

Doti, 69, is Chapman’s 12th president. He will be succeeded by Daniele Struppa, the current chancellor. Doti announced Monday that he will go back to the classroom and take on a fundraising job Aug. 31.

Under Doti’s leadership, Chapman surged from being a small liberal arts college of 2,200 students to a medium-sized university with more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and is ranked seventh by U.S. News & World Report among all master’s level institutions in 15 Western states.

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UC Irvine to hold celebrations for 50th anniversary

Oct. 4, 1965, was the first day of school for Mike Grayston — and for UC Irvine.

He came to campus when there were only 958 freshmen, 215 sophomores, 254 juniors, two seniors and 140 graduate students. The university owned 1,000 acres but was home to just eight buildings.

In just 50 years, the school has acquired 1,475 acres for 500 buildings, which include more than 300 residential houses and five libraries.

UCI began the last school year with 5,394 freshmen, 4,870 sophomores, 6,168 juniors, 7,893 seniors and 4,262 graduate students.

Celebrations had been planned for this weekend to celebrate the campus’ 50 years.

—Compiled from Los Angeles Times and Daily Pilot reports