We are delighted to invite you to Chapman’s Baccalaureate Service for graduating students, and their families, of all faiths or philosophies. Join us Thursday, May 19, 7:00 pm in the Fish Interfaith Center. This is a more intimate gathering than the weekend commencement ceremonies, including words from graduates themselves, and an personal message to each graduate in attendance. We want to celebrate you and offer you our deepest blessings!

For the past decade, the Fish Interfaith Center has sponsored an innovative, inspiring Baccalaureate Service featuring dynamic speakers telling their stories to graduates, including Max Greenfield, Justin Simien, Amber Tamblyn, Justin Baldoni, Valarie Kaur, and Rainn Wilson. This year we are thrilled to feature Jack Horner, Palentologist, who was consultant and inspiration for Dr. Alan Grant in all the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World movies, and inspiration for a main character in the movies.

Jack Horner is a world renowned dinosaur paleontologist.  He attended the University of Montana for 14 semesters without receiving a degree, due to severe dyslexia.  He has since received two honorary doctorates of science and a plethora of awards including a MacArthur Fellowship.  Jack spent his first 7 years at Princeton University as a Research Scientist in Geological Sciences, and 34 years as Curator and Regent’s Professor of Paleontology at Montana State University in Bozeman.  He has more than 300 publications, including a dozen popular books. He was the technical advisor for all of the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World movies. Jack has been teaching in the Honors Program here at Chapman for the past 5 years. He encourages students and learning different (LD) mentees to challenge their preconceived ideas and follow their dreams. You won’t want to miss what he has to share with graduates at this year’s Baccalaureate talk, “A Jurassic Journey”!

Graduating students will robe up and process – please RSVP at interfaith@chapman.edu. Family members and guests are welcome – come early as seating is limited. We look forward to seeing you there!