Doctors of real estate: Chapman U soon will unveil the Institute for Real Estate and Environmental Studies, funded with about $13 million so far, including $10 million from a donor whose name the institute will bear, reports Matt Padilla. Chapman appears to be leapfrogging UCI, which last week announced that Kerry Vandell, who headed a top real estate program at the University of Wisconsin/Madison, will become executive director of the recently launched Center for Real Estate at the Merage B-school; the center has raised a little more than $1.5 million to date …
Meanwhile, Concordia U reports record fund-raising,$12.1 million in gifts and pledges for the fiscal year ended June 30 …
Yes, first-term Supe Lou Correa is weighing a run for Joe Dunn’s state Senate seat next year, which puts Correa on a collision course with fellow Dem and his Assembly successor, Tom Umberg …
Dick Portillo brings his Chicago hot dog chain Portillo’s to Buena Park (and California) Oct. 8 with a private party featuring Windy City native Jim Belushi and his Sacred Hearts Band …
In addition to Chris Cox, Bob McKnight and Pat Fuscoe, another notable hails from the early ’70s USC class of Delta Tau Delts: Fullerton plastic surgeon Rob Wald. “Not so much of a public figure as the others but equally heralded by those who nip and tuck,” writes C. J. Segerstrom & Sons’ John Barganski, also Trojan but not Greek …
Farewell to longtime PR man Dick Harmon, claimed by cancer …
To the many talents of vitamin king Dick Marconi, add oil painting. Fifty of his works were on display this past Sunday at an invitation-only “art walk” on his Italian-style estate in South County. Proceeds benefited his kids’ foundation …
The OC Biz Council/Tech-Net/OCTANe debate for Chris Cox’s congressional seat has been moved back to Sept. 28. It’s the only debate sure to include frontrunner candidate John Campbell and moderator EE RR; call (949) 794-7220 …
Singer Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane fame comes down from L.A. for exhibitions of her artwork at the Wentworth Galleries,Saturday in Laguna Beach and Sunday at Fashion Island …
Speakers’ bureau: Eileen Padberg, who has spent most of the past 20 months consulting in Baghdad, addressing the UCI Center for the Study of Democracy Sept. 27; call (949) 824-2904. Chuck Martin as keynote speaker and Bruce Hallett as a panelist at the Sept. 28 “VC in the OC” breakfast at the Balboa Bay Club; call (949) 859-3646. Former Congressman Jim Rogan addressing the World Affairs Council dinner at the Irvine Marriott Sept. 27; call (949) 253-5751.
