Transformational $1.85 Million Gift from Samueli Foundation Inspires a Bold Vision for Civil Discourse at Chapman

In an era of growing political polarization and digital misinformation, the Samueli Foundation has made a visionary $1.85 million investment in the future of civil discourse at Chapman University. With a gift that reflects both urgency and optimism, the Foundation is supporting the founding of the Or Initiative, a groundbreaking program led by Dr. Vikki Katz, Professor in the School of Communication and Fletcher Jones Endowed Chair in Free Speech. The Or Initiative’s goal is to equip young people with the skills to engage in difficult, nuanced conversations with intellectual rigor, historical context and empathy. 

The Samueli Foundation’s support aligns with Chapman University’s deep commitment to free speech, viewpoint diversity and academic excellence. The Or Initiative follows the announcement of the Fletcher Jones Foundation’s Endowed Chair in Free Speech in November, reinforcing Chapman’s leadership in fostering intellectual inquiry and meaningful discourse.

“College campuses can be extraordinary places for innovation—not just in science and engineering, but also in fostering civil discourse,” said Samueli Family Philanthropies president Lindsey Spindle. “As a foundation, we often spend time thinking about where our investments can make the greatest impact, and we appreciate how important civil discourse is for society.  The fact that Dr. Katz is a proven leader, an innovator and piloting this work on an Orange County college campus made it a perfect fit for our investment.”

Read the full article at Chapman University