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    Chapman University celebrates graduates; Duffer Brothers share how to slay the monsters of life
    • May 23, 2026

    Bright futures were celebrated under the bright lights of Wilson Field as Chapman University kicked off its weekend of commencement ceremonies.

    Friday night’s all-school celebration featured two alumni, The Duffer Brothers, Matt and Ross, who in 2007 were celebrating their own graduation from the Orange university’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. You might know their “Stranger Things” series from Netflix, among other successful projects since.

    The pair started off letting the audience know they were aiming to deliver the “most nerdiest commencement speech ever,” and then walked the grads through some of the Dungeons & Dragons-style monsters they will face as adults — the game made a prominent appearance in their “Stranger Things” show.

    They encouraged the grads not to default to the safest route, because it, too, contains pitfalls; to not shy away from challenges even after they have been bitten by one; and to not allow themselves to be average.

    “You have to refuse the average,” Matt Duffer said. “You have to be yourself. That involves being vulnerable and letting your freak flag fly.”

    Allowing yourself to be vulnerable can cause hurt, Ross Duffer added, “The natural thing is to recoil, to self-sensor, but you can’t.

    “The average can never be an individual, because of that, your individuality is the most valuable thing you ever own,” he said. “Don’t you dare flatten it.”

    The brothers received honorary degrees during the ceremony.

    Diplomas weren’t handed out at Friday night’s event to the university’s more than 2,700 graduates; instead, Champan is hosting 11 college-specific degree ceremonies this weekend to more intimately celebrate members of the Class of 2026.  The last four will be held Sunday.

     Orange County Register 

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