Donna Cucunato Invite

Donna Cucunato Invite

On May 4th the CES honored professor Donna Cucunato for her 34 years of service to Chapman University as she prepares to retire this year. The evening was a celebration of Cucunato’s many contributions to Chapman over the years in the Dance department and College of Educational Studies from helping start American Celebration in the 1970’s to developing the dance program, to shepherding the Liberal Studies program from a small, 35-student major to a 200-student major that perpetually surpassed increasingly stringent State standards.

The evening began with a wonderful presentation of a tap dance number by a group of Chapman Students, arranged by Brandee Merchant, who taught Movement and Music for the Liberal Studies program for many years. Following that Chancellor Daniele Struppa presented Donna with the official letter from Chapman honoring her dedication with Professor Emeritus. Many other people gave remarks about Donna’s dedication and tireless work over the years including President Doti, and Dean of the CES, Don Cardinal.

Donna’s years at Chapman will forever be part of the core of dedication that has shaped Chapman into the quality institution that it is today.  In short, Donna can be described in the words of Dean Don Cardinal, “Class, dignity, grace and humor.”