Family philanthropy, when practiced with purpose, is one of the most enduring lessons parents can offer. It asks children to see giving not as an obligation, but as a reflection of who they are and what they stand for. For Orange County parents Albert and Miaad Bushala, that foundation was built early through deliberate conversations and small traditions, like a birthday fundraiser ritual that redirected celebration toward others. Philanthropy, they say, is rooted in gratitude: a way of saying thank you to the communities that have shaped their family, and showing their children that success and generosity go hand in hand.
As Chapman University parents, the Bushalas have built their relationship with the university with intention and active participation. They are inaugural members of Chapman’s Parent and Family Leadership Council, a council that asks members to contribute to scholarships, serve as ambassadors, and help welcome incoming students and families into the Chapman Family. Most recently, they hosted a Chapman Conversations event where their son Albert led a wide-ranging discussion with President Matt Parlow touching on Chapman’s future and what it means for alumni to give back. The conversation reflected Albert’s desire to carry his family’s values forward, which recently took form with a $1 million gift.
Albert graduated in May from Chapman’s Argyros School of Business and Economics, though he didn’t wait until graduation to put his education to work. While still a student, he founded The Bank, a music and event venue in historic downtown Fullerton, and continues developing the project today in addition to the family’s real estate and development efforts. That entrepreneurial spirit and love of entertainment are a family trait. Albert and Miaad Bushala have been dedicated supporters of the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts master classes, which bring celebrity talent to campus as guest speakers to inspire and impart knowledge on students. It is through their shared passion for entertainment that the family’s commitment to Dodge College took shape.
Their $1 million commitment names the Albert and Miaad Bushala Career Center in Dodge College and establishes an endowment to fund career initiatives for Dodge students and alumni. The Bushalas believe strongly in education, but equally in what comes next and how students translate their passions into meaningful careers. In entertainment, access matters. Advising, mentorships, internships, and networking opportunities give students a real foothold in a competitive industry. The fund is structured to grow and adapt so that support remains meaningful for every cohort it serves.
The Bushalas are a powerful reminder that the most meaningful philanthropy is a shared family practice, built on a foundation of presence and purpose. At Chapman, that belief is evident in every initiative they touch, from the halls of Dodge to the families they have welcomed into the Chapman Family. The career center that bears their name will serve students for generations. But the values they are passing down, that gratitude and generosity go hand in hand, may prove just as enduring.