Last week, the Chapman community lost one of its greatest friends, Mr. Lawrence ‘Larry’ Dodge, at the age of 77. Larry was the namesake of our school, the Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.

Dodge was a retired US Marine, and helped form the American Sterling Corporation, which was a group of insurance, banking, real estate, and film companies.Dodge first became involved with the film school in early 2000, when he funded the Next Generation Filmmakers project. His interest in film continued, and eventually he became friends with Dean Bob Bassett.

In 2004, Dodge, and his wife at the time, Kristina, made a multi-million gift to Chapman to establish the Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. At the time, it was the largest, single, named gift in Chapman’s history.

Throughout the school’s history, Dodge remained activie in the school’s vision, and constantly talked to Dean Bassett on ways to to plan for the future of the school.

larry dodge

“Larry Dodge provided the transforming gift that laid the foundation for the international reputation that Dodge College now enjoys,” Dean Bob Bassett said in a statement. “Larry’s interest and involvement in the activities of the film school was ongoing over the years and he was particularly enthusiastic and supportive of our international programs and our feature film company.”

We are all saddened by the loss of Larry Dodge, and will forever remain grateful for his help in making Dodge College what it is today.

Please join us as we celebrate his memory on Friday, December 16, 2016 at 2 p.m.  The service will be held in the Paul and Daranne Folino Theater at the Marion Knott Studios (283 N. Cypress Street, Orange).