In this issue…
Current News
CBU sends second wave of volunteers
California Baptist University sent 10 more International Service and U.S. Service teams to fields of service May 20-22. The volunteers will be working in South Asia, East Asia, Central Asia, Finland, the United Kingdom, Baltimore and New York.
The teams will join 16 others already at work in Thailand, East Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia and Italy. In all, 45 teams will serve in 16 countries this summer with more than 400 participants involved.
“Research shows that community and responsibility are the top two concerns that our students have,” said Kristen White, director of global mobilization. “Our faculty and staff leaders seek to connect with and invest in students to challenge them to take their next step in engaging the world. We are not just a ‘sending’ program; we are a discipleship program with a goal of investing in lives to develop followers of Jesus.”
CBU contributed nearly 35,000 service hours in 2013 through its flagship International Service Program/United States Program/Summer of Service opportunities, administered through the Office of Mobilization.
CBU repeats national ranking for Online Programs for Veterans
California Baptist University’s online programs have earned the No. 13 spot in the 2013 Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs for Veterans rankings by U.S. News & World Report. For the first time, CBU Online was also ranked 28th for CBU Online’s Graduate Business program and 34th for CBU Online’s Graduate Education degree.
CBU entered the online education market in the spring of 2010 with programs offered by the university’s Division of Online and Professional Studies. CBU now offers 158 majors/concentrations and 41 master’s degrees and serves more than 3,100 students online throughout the United States.
“I’m pleased to announce that once again we have been ranked by U.S. News as a Best Online Programs for Veterans,” said Dr. David Poole, vice president for Online and Professional Studies at CBU. “What is different this year is we were not only ranked in the Bachelor’s category (#13th nationally), but also in Graduate Business (28th nationally), and Graduate Education (#34th nationally). To take it one step further, faculty credentials and training rank was #8 for Bachelor’s and #3 for Education. This is a strong testament to the exemplary efforts of faculty who have put together exceptional programs and staff who do an outstanding job of providing superior customer service to our veteran population.”
To help veterans choose a quality online program, U.S. News has launched its annual rankings of the Best Online Programs for Veterans, according to its website. All of the ranked programs belong to institutions that are certified for the G.I. Bill and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, two federal initiatives that help veterans reduce the cost of school.
Also named by G.I. Jobs magazine as a 2014 Military Friendly School, CBU offers accelerated degree completion programs, with classes accessible fully online or in a hybrid format (virtual and synchronous) at educational service centers near some of California’s largest military bases. Courses begin every eight weeks and faculty is committed to student academic, professional and spiritual success.
For more information on the U.S. News Top Online Programs for Veterans rankings, please visit http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education.
Learning the science behind Hollywood
A science class offered this fall at California Baptist University will approach the subject of physics in a whole new way.
PHY 112 The Physics of Hollywood is described as “a study of optics, cameras, lighting, sound, analog vs. digital processes, polarization and the 3-D movie making process.” The class is designed for students in theater, graphic design, music, film studies, communications and art. It will focus on laws of physics including Faraday’s Law and Ampere’s Law in such a way to help students better relate them, said Dr. Jim Buchholz, professor of mathematics and physics. For instance, they will learn how to build speakers and microphones and how concert halls work.
“The whole class is about showing,” he said. “I want them to see it in action.”
In his 25 years of teaching at CBU, Buchholz has changed his opinion about general education classes. He said he now wants classes to be more interdisciplinary.
“I want people to walk away from science class being able to apply it to their major,” he said.
The Physics of Hollywood will offer a lecture and lab that will be almost indistinguishable, with students alternating between class and lab work.
Buchholz’s interest in Hollywood is partly a result of his involvement in the entertainment industry for many years. He started out as a stand-up comic and was one of seven finalists on the American Collegiate Talent Showcase in 1985. He has made short films that have been released at film festivals in California, Canada and Italy, and he recently finished another short. He is also on the board of the Riverside International Film Festival.
Riverside mayor recognizes CBU internship program
From left: Dr. Patricia Hernandez, Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, both of CBU’s Online and Professional Division, and Kris Whitehead, Riverside Downtown Partnership board of directors chair and owner of Curves on Main Street. Robbie Silver, of the Riverside Downtown Partnership, is speaking into the microphone.
Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey recognized the Downtown Intern Program as a Riverside Pride Mayoral Success Story in a city hall ceremony May 20. The Downtown Intern Program is a joint program between California Baptist University and the Riverside Downtown Partnership.
The Downtown Intern Program came out of a social media seminar that the partnership held in October 2013 for downtown businesses. The seminar was presented by Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, associate professor of public relations, and Dr. Patricia Hernandez, assistant professor of communication studies, both of CBU’s Online and Professional Division. Many of the downtown businesses attending indicated that having interns assist with social media efforts would be helpful. Robbie Silver (’13), communications and events liaison for the Riverside Downtown Partnership, Pearson and Hernandez interviewed students for the program.
Once students were accepted, their skills and personality were matched with the needs of specific downtown business to assist with social media, event planning, networking and communication campaigns.
The participating businesses consisted of service, non-profit, government, business associations, retail/fashion and hospitality.
The program provides the businesses with the help they need and the students with experience, recommendations and networking opportunities, Pearson said. She said the program also provides internships and mentoring, which students need.
The program also is important for the city.
“Keeping college graduates in Riverside after graduation has always been part of my vision and the hope of our city,” Bailey said. “This internship program leads the way in connecting our local university students to the right place where they can grow in their chosen career path. I commend the RDP for their plan and partnership with CBU. I hope we can use this pilot program to inspire more collaboration and placement of talent here in Riverside.”
Forum panelists identify delinquency and truancy issues
From left: Moderator Sheri Stuart with candidates for the Riverside County Board of Education: Michael Martinez Scott, Kenneth Young, Jeanie Corral, Gerald Colapinto, Lynne Craig and Wendel Tucker
Eleven Riverside County candidates for public office participated in an educational forum May 13 to discuss a variety of topics, including juvenile delinquency and truancy in Riverside County.
“Believe it or not, we still have school truancy at the university level,” said Marilyn Moore, CBU associate professor of behavioral sciences, as she introduced the program. “What we’re finding is, as students come in with that as their habit, they bring their truancy with them.”
Panel members included candidates for the Riverside County Board of Education: Michael Martinez Scott, Kenneth Young, Jeanie Corral, Gerald Colapinto, Lynne Craig and Wendel Tucker; Riverside County Board of Supervisors candidate Arthur Gonzales; sheriff candidates Chad Bianco and Stan Sniff; and district attorney candidates Mike Hestrin and Paul Zellerbach.
Moderator Sheri Stuart, executive director of One Nation Media, kicked off the discussion by quoting an Attorney General’s 2013 Report that showed elementary truancy in Riverside County during 2011 and 2012 was 23.9 percent—more than 53,000 students—which was among the highest rates in the state.
“Our kids are not engaged, and they’re finding other things to do than to be involved in school,” Zellerbach said. “Oftentimes problems start at home, and they bring those problems to school. It’s important that we collaborate. If graduation rates increased 10 percent, violent crime would decrease by 20 percent.”
The candidates identified a variety of reasons for truancy in Riverside County schools.
“The causes are complicated, but we have to tackle them head-on,” Hestrin said. “We should concentrate not on punishment but bringing them back in the fold.”
“It starts with chronic absenteeism, which then becomes truantism, which turns into juvenile delinquency,” Zellerbach added. “We have to work together, communicate with each other and get our kids back in school before they turn to criminal behavior.”
The event, which took place in Wallace Theatre on the campus of California Baptist University, was sponsored by Women Wonder Writers and co-sponsored by CBU’s sociology and criminal justice programs.
Family Updates
Dr. Jong-Wha Bai
Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, associate professor of civil engineering, has been licensed as a professional civil engineer by California’s Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists.
Dr. Monica O’Rourke
Dr. Monica O’Rourke, associate professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, served with Team Faith Racing Ministry on the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) Pro Watercross Tour in Panama City Beach, Fla., May 15-18. The group provided ministry and church services to professional watercraft athletes.
Rebecca Sanchez
Rebecca Sanchez, director of financial aid, has been appointed as a member of the Commission for Financial Aid Administrators with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU). During her three-year appointment, she will assist with the professional development, legislative issues and surveys for financial aid administrators at CCCU institutions.
Dr. Franco Gandolfi
Dr. Franco Gandolfi, dean of the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business, wrote an article titled The Significance of the Psychological Contract for Organizational Downsizing, which was recently published in The Journal of American Business Review.
From left: Stephen Rolle and Steven Hainzer
CBU ROTC cadets Steven Hainzer and Stephen Rolle were commissioned as second lieutenants in a commissioning ceremony at Claremont McKenna College on May 17. Both men majored in civil engineering and will serve as engineer officers: Hainzer in the U.S. Army Reserve and Rolle in the U.S. Army.
Ken Minesinger
Ken Minesinger, associate professor of law in Online and Professional Studies, gave a presentation on health care reform to the Inland Empire Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants on May 15.
From left: Sandy’s husband, Jeff; Ashleigh; Sandy; and Savannah Bachar. Ashley and Savannah are sophomores at CBU.
Sandy Bachar, administrative assistant for the vice president for global initiatives, received the master of arts degree in public relations during CBU’s commencement services on May 3.
Front row: Jared Dobbins, Tracy Ward, Lisa Bursch, Doreen Ferko, Kristen White, Lisa Hernandez; back row: DawnEllen Jacobs, Geneva Oaks, Rebecca Meyer, Chris McHorney, Tom Ferko
Eleven CBU faculty and staff members attended the annual conference of University Educators for Global Engagement (UEGE) held in Richmond, Va. April 10-13. The theme was Foundations of Globally Engaged Communities.
From left: Ash Melika, Julie Goodman and Dr. Bruce Stokes
Julie Goodman, assistant professor of anthropology, Ash Melika, associate professor of archaeology/anthropology, and Dr. Bruce Stokes, professor of anthropology and behavioral sciences, attended the Southwest Anthropological Association Conference held in Garden Grove, Calif. April 25-26. The theme, Imagineering the Present: Technology and Creativity attracted discussions about the growing relationship between technology and humanity. Several universities in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas were represented. Goodman chaired two sessions, including a panel for prospective graduate students and a poster session for displaying current anthropological research projects. She was also reelected to the SWAA board, this term in the office of secretary. Melika presented a paper titled The Materialization of Ancient Egyptian Kinship Ideology in the New Kingdom.
Jacquie Lutz
Jacquie Lutz, a graduate student in CBU’s Dr.Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education, competed in the Sendai (Japan) Half-Marathon, with a time of 1 hour 40 minutes. Lutz placed in the top 200 female runners out of 1,000. Sendai is a sister city to Riverside.
Dr. Mary Ann Pearson
Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, associate professor of public relations in Online and Professional Studies, recently passed the computer based exam for Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), a designation by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). To qualify to take the test, Pearson completed an oral review conducted by a panel of PRSA professionals.
Dr. Bob Namvar
Dr. Bob Namvar, professor of economics, wrote an article titled How Does a Post Keynesian Fiscal Policy Help the Sluggish U.S. Economy? which was published in the recent issue of International Journal of Economics & Social Science.
From left: Shane and Asher Kong
Bryant Kong, director of international admissions, and his wife, Hyoyung Yoon, welcomed twin sons on April 29. Shane Kong was born at 1:15 p.m. weighing 4 lbs. 12 ozs., and Asher Kong was born a minute later weighing 5 lbs. 6 ozs.
Personnel Updates
| DATE | DEPARTMENT | POSITION | NAME | STATUS |
| 5/16/2014 | Campus Store | Cashier | Keith Jizmejian | New Hire |
| 5/19/2014 | Marketing and Communication | Public Relations Specialist | Vivian Quezada | New Hire |
| 5/19/2014 | School of Nursing | Director of Nursing Admissions | Ashley Sonke | New Hire |
| 5/27/2014 | Institutional Advancement | Grants Administrator | Penny Jobe | New Hire |
| 5/30/2014 | Enrollment Services | Undergraduate Admissions Counselor/Recruiter | Taylor Allen | New Hire |
| 5/16/2014 | Residence Life | Residence Director | Heather Logan | No Longer Employed |
| 5/15/2014 | Tahquitz Pines | Camp Worker-On Call | Mariah Benson | No Longer Employed |
| 5/19/2014 | Public Safety | Bus Driver | Bruce Abbe | No Longer Employed |
| 5/19/2014 | Public Safety | Bus Driver | James Grant | No Longer Employed |
| 5/19/2014 | Public Safety | Bus Driver | Richard Matthews | No Longer Employed |
| 5/20/2014 | Athletics | Assistant Softball Coach | Taryne Mowatt | No Longer Employed |