President, professor of economics, Chapman University
Born in Chicago, Sept. 26, 1946
Lives in Villa Park
Dr. Yes. Has overseen can-do administration that is growing buildings, staff, students and test scores at OC’s largest private university.
Has raised in excess of $120 million in multi-year Millennium Campaign ending in 2001; under his watch since 1991 endowment has increased to more than $60 million, enrollment has grown from 1,800 to 3,800.
Economist by training, entertainer by nature; his rollicking presentation of Chapman’s OC economic forecast, done with prof Esmael Adibi, an annual hit with the business community. Hosts “Economic Journal with Jim Doti” on KOCE-TV.
Established the Leatherby Center for Entreprenuership and Business Ethics, now directed by Doti’s wife and fellow economics professor, Lynne Pierson Doti.
Has overseen growth of School of Film & Television; added football and nine other sports; began a physical therapy program and secured a $3 million endowment for the Center for Economic Research. Last October, the $25 million School of Law was dedicated (with a speech by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas); ABA accreditation could come early in 2001 (now provisional).
U.S. News & World; Report named Chapman a Best Value institution.
Chicago-bred. Undergraduate degree from University of Illinois, master’s and doctorate in economics from University of Chicago. Joined Chapman faculty in 1974, was appointed dean of School of Business and Economics in 1985. Jim and Lynne have two grown children, Adam and Cara. Hobbies: cooking, skiing, reading.
