The lobby of the MARC building at Modesto A. Maidique Campus was the scene for a holiday cocktail reception filled with red decorations, candles, and poinsettias marking the Chapman Graduate School’s first-ever alumni holiday networking party on December 7, 2005.

The event brought together Chapman School Dean José de la Torre, program managers, professors, and more than one hundred alumni from a range of classes— from recent graduates to Earl Rodney (MSM ’75), who represented the first-ever graduating class. Alumni were challenged to gather as many members of their classes to win a prize. Master of Science in Human Resources Management (MSHRM), Cohort 7 rose to the challenge and celebrated its victory with more than fifteen students present.

“This event launches what will be a series of Chapman alumni events and programs aimed at providing opportunities to reconnect with classmates and professors and to continue relationships with the Chapman School,” said Monique Catoggio (EMBA ’03), director of alumni and partner relations. “Our Chapman alumni have a special affinity to us and to each other; we want that affinity to remain strong and grow as the Chapman School continues to thrive.”