The Orange County Register
THE STAR'S TURN: Carol Channing returns applause of students and faculty, including Chapman University President James Doti, standing, and Myron Yeager, right, School of Arts and Communications dean, at a fundraiser Friday. "After performing 65 years in live theater without stopping, I want to share some of what I know," Channing said.

Career highlights 
• Born 1921 in Seattle. Raised in San Francisco.
• Makes her stage debut in the chorus of "No for an Answer" (1941).
• Makes her breakthrough in "Lend an Ear" (1948), where she plays a kooky chorus girl in a parody of '20s screwball musicals. Wins her first Tony.
• First signature role: Lorelei in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1949). She introduces one of her classic songs, "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend."
• Succeeds Rosalind Russell in "Wonderful Town" (1955).
• Introduces the world to her most famous role, Dolly Levi in "Hello, Dolly!" (1964). Wins her second Tony. Appears in two Broadway revivals of "Hello, Dolly!" (1978 and 1995-96).
• Wins a Special Achievement Tony in 1968.
• Wins a Lifetime Achievement Tony in 1995.

ORANGE – Carol Channing smiled her million-dollar smile, opened her mouth and began to sing in her instantly recognizable quaver: "Hello, Doti, well, hello, Doti. It's so nice to have you here where you belong..."

Chapman University President James L. Doti looked like a man who had just won the lottery. How many others can say they've been serenaded by a Broadway legend with a personalized version of her signature song?

Doti and his campus had landed something far better than a mere lottery win. Chapman is one of the first universities in the country to receive a Carol Channing and Harry Kullijian Foundation Scholarship for the Arts. Channing was visiting Chapman's main campus Friday to meet faculty and students, receive an honorary doctorate and perform a brief solo concert. Proceeds from the event provide the money for the fund, which will award one annual scholarship to a student enrolled in Chapman's School of Arts and Communication. Channing and her husband, Kullijian, are planning similar visits to selected university arts programs around the state.

"After performing 65 years in the live theater, I want to share some of what I know. I want to pass something on to the students," said Channing, who turned 85 earlier this week. "There's so much I want to tell them: Less is more; let the audience feel it!"

The Tony-winning star of such classics as "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and "Hello, Dolly!" started her day at Chapman being interviewed by Doti for his TV show, "Dialogue with Doti," broadcast on KOCE several times a week. She and Kullijian - childhood sweethearts who rekindled their romance in 2003, almost seven decades after its junior-high beginnings - spoke passionately about their belief in the importance of the arts in education.

"The arts shouldn't be an option in our lives," Kullijian said. "(They're) an absolute necessity. We're losing the very values of America by not acknowledging the richness of the arts."

Channing's visit was conceived by James VanArsdale, a former Chapman science professor and an acquaintance of the actress. He and drama professor Michael Nehring organized the daylong event, which included lots of face time with students and a lengthy question-and-answer session in Chapman Auditorium.

Myron Yeager, dean of Chapman's School of Arts and Communication, said $25,000 was needed to establish the Channing scholarship fund. "I have every confidence that we'll be able to walk away from (Channing's performance) with the money that we need," he said.

Yeager emphasized the importance of Channing's gift.

"To my knowledge, this kind of thing is unique. Rarely has a public figure given so selflessly to us."

Chapman's arts programs, which have grown substantially in the past five years, have benefited in that time from some generous private donations.

Among them are a $20 million naming gift from Lawrence and Kristina Dodge for Chapman's well-known College of Film and Media Arts, in 2004; $5 million from Marion Knott, also for a building in the College of Film and Media Arts; and 13 other gifts of $1million or more to the College of Film and Media Arts and the School of Arts and Communication since 2000.

During her afternoon session with students and faculty, Channing talked about her life, her passions, her philosophy and her work ethic; she reminded the students several times during the day that she performed "Hello, Dolly!" more than 5,000 times.

"I've fallen off the stage. That must have been annoying for the audience. I had cancer. I was in a wheelchair. But ... I've never missed a show."

Channing imparted some of her stage secrets to the rapt crowd, which included students from five Orange County high schools. Always be in the moment. Never lose focus. Never play a character you're not absolutely in love with.

Someone asked Channing how she keeps a performance fresh, even after 5,000 times. She paused.

"Imagine there's someone in the audience who wants to hear from you. You tell it to that understanding heart." Channing flashed her ear-to- ear smile again and looked into the audience. Her husband Harry was front and center, beaming back at her. "Nothing gets created without total love," she said.