Adibi’s replacement at Chapman named

Chapman University in Orange has appointed Raymond Sfeir as the new director of the A. Gary Anderson Center for Economic Research, filling the position left vacant by the death in April of Esmael “Essie” Adibi, who had served as the center’s director since it was founded in 1979.

The appointment is effective immediately.

Sfeir, who previously served as associate dean of Chapman’s Argyros School of Business and Economics, joined Chapman as a faculty member in 1985. He also served Chapman as acting dean of graduate studies, associate provost for academic affairs and operations, director of the executive MBA program and vice chancellor for academic administration. He has served as a research fellow in the Anderson Center since 1988.

Sfeir holds a Ph.D. in economics from UC Santa Barbara.

“I know that Raymond is the person that Essie would want to carry out his legacy,” said outgoing President James Doti, who partnered in presenting the Chapman Economic Forecasts with Adibi for 38 years. “He is also the kind of leader who will add to the national stature of the A Gary Anderson Center for Economic Research.”