In this issue…
Current News
X-Men producer to speak at CBU’s Christ and Culture Lecture series
Ralph Winter
Motion picture executive producer Ralph Winter will be guest speaker at California Baptist University’s Christ and Culture Lecture series Feb. 27 and 28.
Winter will speak on how the gospel is represesnted in modern film.
He has produced more than 25 full feature films—including the first three X-Men films and “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” Working with 20th Century Fox Films, Winter has produced five of their top 10 movies, with worldwide box office grosses of $2 billion.
The Christ and Culture Lecture series is designed to challenge students, faculty and staff to wrestle with and understand the implications of the Christian faith in light of their academic and life work, and how “loving God with all your heart, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself” might look in practice.
The series begins with chapel services at10 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Van Dyne Gym and continues with a formal lecture in the Innovator’s Auditorium from 11 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. That lecture will be followed by a response from a faculty panel from several disciplines.
CBU dedicates new recreation center
The new recreation center features a running track and a soccer field covered with synthetic turf.
Students, faculty and staff at California Baptist University gathered Jan. 14 to dedicate the new 40,682-square-foot Recreation Center. The ceremony preceded the official opening of the facility, which has been eagerly anticipated for more than a year.
“It’s always a good day to be Lancers,” said Kent Dacus, vice president for enrollment and student services, “but on a day like today, we’re especially fortunate.”
Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, said the dedication was the culmination of work that began in 2005.
“We acquired the property in this former shopping center with the idea that we would one day convert the space to use for student facilities,” he said. “The dedication of the Recreation Center is one of the first steps in making that dream a reality.”
An athletic performance training center opened next door to the Recreation Center last August to train CBU’s student athletes. Both facilities are located in Lancer Plaza, formerly a shopping center on Adams Street.
The recreation center features a two-story rock climbing wall plus a changeable court space that allows for two intramural basketball courts, a collegiate basketball court or three volleyball courts. In addition, the space includes lounge areas, racquetball courts, workout rooms, men’s and women’s locker rooms and a cheerleading practice space. Even the roof is usable, with a running track and a soccer field covered with synthetic turf.
Hours for the center will include Monday through Thursday: 6 a.m. to midnight; Friday: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday: 1 p.m. to midnight. CBU students, faculty and staff will be admitted with a CBU identification card affixed with a current semester sticker.
FedEx donates Boeing 727 to CBU aviation science program
The Boeing 727 arrived at the Riverside Municipal Airport under a water arch constructed by the Riverside Fire Department in honor of the plane’s last flight.
FedEx Express has donated a Boeing 727-200F to California Baptist University for use by its new aviation science program. The cargo jet made its final taxi today after landing at the Riverside Municipal Airport. The aircraft will be on permanent display at the airport and will provide a working laboratory for aviation science students.
“Although this aircraft has reached the end of its useful life in commercial service after 33 years, it is beginning a new life here at the Riverside Municipal Airport as a working lab for CBU aviation science students,” said Dr. Daniel Prather, founding chair of the CBU aviation science department. “CBU could not be more pleased with this generous donation from FedEx and appreciates the role of Women in Aviation International in making it possible.”
Before its final flight, the aircraft with registration number N266FE provided FedEx with 20 years of service, transporting packages to destinations throughout the United States. The plane is the 60th donation of a Boeing 727 aircraft to various organizations for educational purposes. Prior to its service with FedEx, the aircraft served as a passenger plane for Air Canada.
“FedEx is always proud to give back to the communities where we live and work, and this donation of a 727 from our fleet is a good example of the company’s community spirit,” said David Sutton, managing director of Aircraft Acquisition and Sales for FedEx. “This marks the 60th aircraft we have donated coast to coast, reflecting the community pride shared by all FedEx employees in support of educational endeavors.”
Prather expressed his gratitude to FedEx, and to Women in Aviation International, who opened up this opportunity to its members. “Starting a program with a B727 already on hand is more than I could have ever expected,” Prather said. “Thank you, FedEx, for making this a reality!”
Click here to watch a video of the 727 landing at Riverside Municipal Airport.
Family Updates
Dr. Ronald L. Ellis welcomed a delegation of 20 Chinese educators who came to CBU’s campus Jan. 14 to discuss educational partnerships. The group came from colleges and universities across China’s Zhejiang province.
Dr. Matthew Emerson, assistant professor of Christian Studies, wrote an article titled Victory, Atonement, Restoration and Response: The Shape of the New Testament Canon and the Holistic Gospel Message,” which was published in Southeastern Theological Review, 3/2 (2012): 177-194.
Dr. Fred Pontius, CBU associate professor of civil engineering, presented a paper titled Climate Impacts on Small Water Systems: Science, Policy, & Practices at the 2012 Water Quality Technology Conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Nov. 7. A manuscript of the paper was published in the conference proceedings.
Dr. Charles D. Sands, dean of the College of Allied Health, and Dr. Mark Bateman of Samford University gave a presentation titled Creating, Expanding, and Developing a College of Allied Health: Reflections from a Founding Dean at the Hawaii International Conference on Education on Jan. 7. He also spoke on the topic Healthcare and Health Professions Outlook in the Inland Empire on Jan. 18 to Leadership Riverside, which is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Melissa Wigginton, assistant professor of health science, presented original research titled Influence of strategic planning on children’s physical activity behaviors at the American Public Health Associations 140th annual conference on Oct. 29 in San Francisco. Wigginton also got married at CBU on Oct. 13.
Dr. Sean Sullivan, chair and professor of kinesiology, published a book chapter titled 1930s Boarding School Sport in Albuquerque and Santa Fe in The Native American identity in sports: creating and preserving a culture by F.A. Salamone. The book was published by Scarecrow Press.
Dr. Franco Gandolfi, dean of the School of Business, presented a paper titled Employee downsizing of the banking sector in Portugal at the Prague International Academic Conference, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences in Prague, Czech Republic. Gandolfi also chaired a session in business and economics at the conference.
Dr. Kathie Chute, director of communications, received notification Dec. 19 that her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) has been renewed for another three years by the Public Relations Society of America.
The Natural and Mathematical Science faculty represented CBU at the Joint Mathematics Meetings, held at the San Diego Convention Center on Jan. 9-12. The meeting is the largest mathematics meeting in the world and features talks and workshops by mathematicians representing the a vast range of sub-fields. Faculty members who attended included Dr. Lisa Hernandez, Dr. Linn Carothers and Dr. Ricardo Cordero. CBU students Kevin James Cotton, Bryan Douglas Jarboe, Jacqueline Hernandez, Matthew Martin Gibbons, Joseph Daniel Gemignani, Shawna Marie McCollom, Kevin James Cotton, Tara M Harris and Sarah Elizabeth Hunnel were also present.
CBU’s School of Music has announced its spring calendar. View the dates for concerts, performances and tours by clicking here.
Dr. David Pearson, professor of kinesiology, gave a presentation at the 2013 NCAA Convention in Grapevine, Texas titled Initiatives of Faculty Athletics Representatives and NCAA Division II Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
Dr. Hyun-Woo Park, associate professor of biology, supervised a study that resulted in a published article in the Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 23:88-91. The research was performed last summer by two biology students, Brent Pino and Ryan Oliverio; a health science student, Switzerlyna Chong; and a nursing student, Erika Hafkenscheid, under the supervision of Park and Dr. Dennis Bideshi. They collaborated with Dr. Brian Federici at the University of California Riverside. The article is titled Cyt1A from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis enhances mosquitocidal activity of B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-1 against Aedes aegypti but not Culex quinquefasciatus.
Keanon Alderson’s Retailing and Merchandising class worked on a case study to help Target promote awareness of their smaller stores. The students worked on the project all semester and presented it to Target’s regional manager and the corporate recruiter, who selected the winners. CBU came in first place and won $700. The winning students are (from left) Lecia Rdzak, Stephanie Armstrong, Caitlyn Tadlock, Tracy Pallares and Dayana Ramirez. Alderson is assistant professor of business.
Dr. Riste Simnjanovski, assistant professor of education in Online and Professional Studies, wrote a chapter titled American Military-Education Convergence: Designing the Failure of Public Education in the textbook SCADS: State Crimes Against Democracy – Political Forensics in Public Affairs, published by Macmillan. Simnjanovski also gave two presentations with Dr. Dirk Davis, academic dean for Online and Professional Studies, and Dr. Elizabeth Morris, assistant academic dean for Online and Professional Studies, titled Effective Course Design: Moving Backwards to get Ahead: one at the Maui International Education Conference meeting Jan. 3-5 and the other at the Hawaii International Conference on Education that met Jan. 6-9.
School of Christian Ministries students and faculty invited Dr. Paul House, president of the Evangelical Theological Society, to address them Jan. 10 on the topic of New Creation in Christ. Focusing on the Apostle Paul’s “new creation” language, House demonstrated how such imagery was drawn from the Book of Isaiah, thus providing a complementary view of the Old and New Testaments. He also encouraged students to use biblical theology as a resource for comforting hurting Christians. House, professor of divinity at Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala., is the author of several books including Old Testament Survey (B&H Academic), Old Testament Theology (IVP Academic), and Lamentations (Word Biblical Commentary).
Anita Martinez and Kristina Gibeault, both secretaries in Enrollment Services, participated in the World Vision Half-Marathon in Los Angeles on Jan. 13th, and both finished in less than three hours. Together, they raised enough money to provide more than 16 people in Uganda with clean water.
Carter John Condron, son of Ryan Condron, web developer in Online and Professional Studies, was born at 6:28 a.m. on Dec. 28, weighing 6 lbs. and measuring 18.5 inches. The baby is pictured with brother Kaden.
Micah Jamison Antonio, son of Dr. Melissa Antonio, assistant professor of biology, was born Dec. 29 at 12:54 p.m. The baby weighed 6 lbs. 10 ozs. and was 20.1 inches long.
Elizabeth Viola Kay Travis was born Dec. 30th to Erika Travis, assistant professor of English, and Jeffrey Travis ’03. Big sister and brother Anna and Adam Travis welcomed their sister to the family.
Brynn Olive McWhorter, daughter of Jon McWhorter, community life program director, was born on Sept. 27, 2012. Brynn also is the first granddaughter of Gail Cloud, secretary in Campus Life.
Personnel Updates
| DATE | DEPARTMENT | POSITION | NAME | STATUS |
| 1/2/2013 | Facilities & Planning Services | Maintenance Technician II-Alternate Shifts | Clifton Barnes | New Hire |
| 1/2/2013 | Facilities & Planning Services | Maintenance Technician II | Brett Henderson | New Hire |
| 1/2/2013 | Campus Store | Cashier | Adam Alexander | New Hire |
| 1/2/2013 | Recreation Center | Group Exercise Coordinator | Kristi Calhoun | New Hire |
| 1/2/2013 | Recreation Center | Fitness Coordinator | Joseph Fix | New Hire |
| 1/2/2013 | Marketing & Communication | Web Development Specialist | Daniel Akers | New Hire |
| 1/4/2013 | Recreation Center | Facilities Program Coordinator | Brandon Byrd | New Hire |
| 1/1/2013 | Conference & Events | Director of Conference and Events | Coreylon Polk | Change |
| 1/1/2013 | Online & Professional Studies | Enrollment Team Manager | Merritt Robinson | Change |
| 1/1/2013 | Recreation Center | Assistant Director of Recreation Center | Kyle Smith | Change |
| 1/16/2013 | School of Education | Administrative Assistant | Lisa McDonald | Change |
| 1/16/2013 | Institutional Advancement | Administrative Assistant I | Lupe Solano | Change |
| 1/16/2013 | Residence Life | Residence Director | Adam Cook | Change |
| 1/16/2013 | Enrollment Services | Undergraduate Admissions Counselor/Recruiter | Katelyn Johnson (formerly Kiefer) | Name Change |
| 1/2/2013 | Global Initiatives | International Admissions Recruiter | Dionne Butler | No Longer Employed |
| 1/2/2013 | Enrollment Advising | Academic Advisor | Jessie Quan | No Longer Employed |
| 1/4/2013 | Tahquitz Pines | Bookstore/Campus Ministries | Kay Nysse | No Longer Employed |
| 1/11/2013 | Department of Health Sciences | Associate Professor/Director, Physician Assistance Program | Vasco Deon Kidd | No Longer Employed |
| 1/9/2013 | Enrollment Advising | Academic Advisor | Brittany Stoneburg | New Hire-TEMP |
| 1/3/2013 | Enrollment Advising | Academic Advisor | Jessie Quan | Re-Hired-TEMP |
| 1/14/2013 | Registrar | Office Assistant | Kelly Marley | Re-Hired-TEMP |
| 1/15/2013 | Registrar | Office Assistant | Shelli Rappaport | Re-Hired-TEMP |