September 19, 2014

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

9-11 terrorist attack remembrance nets unique photo

A California Baptist University event honoring victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack resulted in a stunning image that inspired Spencer Findley, a CBU film major.

During the day, students, faculty and staff took one of 2,977 flags, one for each victim of the terrorist attack, and placed the flag in the lawn of the Stamps Courtyard. Names of the victims were listed on nearby posters, and each name was on a piece of paper for participants to take with them. The event was sponsored by the Associated Students of California Baptist University.

At the end of the day, all the flags formed a large cross, which was lit at its edges to stand out as the sun set. Findlay used a drone to photograph the scene.

“After hearing about the 9/11 remembrance event and hearing there would be a large cross made up of flags, I immediately thought of capturing the cross from the sky,” he said. “I own a drone and this was a perfect opportunity to use it and capture a very unique image.”

Trent Ward, ASCBU executive president and a marketing senior, came up with the idea of the event, which is in its inaugural year. He hopes that it becomes a tradition.

“I want us to be a socially responsible student body, a pro-active student body,” he said. “This is another opportunity for students to express themselves.”

Jason Navarro, a kinesiology senior, placed a flag because he felt it was important to remember everyone who was lost. He was in sixth grade, and although he remembers the events, he did not understand everything that was happening.

“It’s important to let us know what we’ve risen from, how even in the darkest times, there is hope for the future,” he said.

 

CBU Marine candidate captures top fitness award

California Baptist University students do a variety of things on their summer break: get a job, travel, hang out.

But Daniel Urban spent six weeks at the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Va., and received an award for the top physical fitness candidate in his company.

Urban, an officer candidate and a CBU junior, is studying flight aviation and is a member of the varsity wrestling team. He hopes to be a pilot in the Marines.

“I wanted to be part of something that was bigger than me,” he said. “I think the military is great, that whole mentality, the lifestyle, that’s something I’ve always been attracted to.

At the candidates school, studentswere evaluated on their academics, physical fitness and leadership potential. The normal day began at 5 a.m. and ended at 9 p.m., and included physical fitness and classes on Marine Corps history, military skills, ethics and leadership.

For Urban, the toughest part was lack of sleep. Although they had eight hours of free time each night, the students also had to study and do other tasks during those hours.

“That was one of the tougher parts for me, being able to set aside time to study, when I would love to be sleeping,” he said

In order to be a top physical candidate, candidates had to perform well on the physical fitness test (which includes 20 pull-ups and a 3-mile timed run in 18 minutes or less), the combat fitness test (which includes a sprint and carrying and lifting 30-pound ammo cans), the obstacle course, and 4-6 mile conditioning hikes with 45-60 pound hiking packs. Urban had a perfect score on the physical and combat fitness test, and the top score on the obstacle course.

“I just like to work out in general, so I’m always trying to challenge myself, doing new things, trying to lift more, trying to run further, trying to run faster, always trying to keep that mentality,” Urban said.

Capt. Joshua P. Roberts is the USMC Officer Selection Officer Riverside.

“Urban is our all-around most physically fit candidate, but beyond that, he is extremely intelligent,” Roberts said. “He is always professional, enjoys a challenge, and has exceptional time management skills. Urban is a great representative of the quality of student that CBU produces. I only wish I had more candidates like him, as my job would be much easier.”

 

Coach Rick Rowland wins 500th game with the Lancers

Rick Rowland has spent the past 16 years of his life coaching water polo at California Baptist University. The Lancers leader is known as much by his success as his longevity, perhaps that was never clearer than Sept. 13 when Rowland won his 500^th game with CBU.

Ironically enough, after all the games Rowland has coached at the Lancer Aquatics Center, his 500^th win came not only on the road but on an entirely different coast, as CBU was competing in Brown University’s Bruno Fall Classic. The Lancers defeated St. Francis 10-6 in their second contest Saturday to usher in the milestone, which also includes Rowland’s wins with the women’s water polo team.

 

 

 Astronaut inspires CBU students to shoot for the stars

“If you love something, you’re going to do better at it,” Dr. David C. Hilmers told students at California Baptist University. “Find something you are passionate about and work at it as if you’re working for the Lord, not yourself.”

California Baptist University’s College of Allied Health hosted Hilmers on Sept. 15 to kick off its Distinguished Lecture Series. Hilmers is an associate professor at the Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Center for Space Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. His topic was “To Outer Space and Back: A Doctor’s View of Global Health.”

Hilmers, also a former NASA astronaut on four space shuttle missions, talked about the importance of healthcare globally, not just domestically.

“I think you become more complete as a doctor by going and serving in places you don’t feel comfortable,” he said. “In a place where you don’t have many fancy tests, you really have to rely on your skills.”

Hilmers has volunteered medical aid in more than 40 countries to combat malaria, hepatitis and malnutrition.

“Every medical provider should do a mission trip,” he said. “It will make them a better doctor.”

Prior to his work as a medical provider, Hilmers was a Marine Corps colonel, aviator and electrical engineer and a NASA astronaut.

Although he had a fulfilling career as a marine and astronaut, Hilmers wanted to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a medical practitioner. So, at the age of 42, Hilmers enrolled in medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, working as an astronaut during the day and taking classes during the night. Hilmers was training for his final trip into space aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1992.

“I finished my classes about two weeks before the start of the mission,” he said.

Following his final mission to space and after fulfilling his goal of becoming a doctor, Hilmers stayed on staff as a faculty member of Baylor College of Medicine.

“The next part of my life began as God told me it was time for me to live out my childhood dream,” he said.

 

New dining options provide students more choices, flexibility

The addition of new dining facilities at California Baptist University this fall means not only increased food options but also greater flexibility for students.

El Monte Grill and Chick-fil-A, both opened since last month, provide two more options for campus dining. The new Campus Xpress (CX) convenience story is also open for those who want to grab a quick bite to eat. The facilities, along with Wanda’s Place, Brisco’s Café and the Alumni Dining Commons (ADC), are operated by Provider Food Services.

“It gives students more flexibility,” said Kipp Dougherty, director of food services. “As the campus expands and grows, depending upon where they live, where their classes are, what their other activities are, they now have many options all over campus where they can get food.”

Senior Kayla North said she likes the variety the two new restaurants offer without having to go off campus. Junior Yaritza Salas said she frequents El Monte because of its convenience because she spends a lot time in that area of the campus. Junior Rachelle Hardin said having more options mean students won’t tire of the same food. Sophomore Bryce Hargis also liked having the nutritional information that Chick-fil-A offers, since it is a national chain.

Because there are more dining options available for students, the ADC is closed Friday nights and all day Saturday. For the first time, however, Brisco’s Café is open for breakfast seven days a week.

“Because we have a large residential population on that side of the campus, we felt that those students were being underserved having to come all the way to the ADC,” Dougherty said. “It’s a convenience for students. We now have both locations where they can eat.”

This year, the students also have Dining Dollars in addition to their meal swipes. If they just want a smoothie, a coffee or snack, they can use their Dining Dollars, Dougherty said.

“They have more options than they ever had, which is a great thing,” she said.

Meal Service Hours

Chick-fil-A and El Monte Grill

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday

10 a.m-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Closed Sunday

Brisco’s:

7:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Friday

7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Wanda’s:

7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday

7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday

8 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday

Closed Sunday

CX:

7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday

7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday

8 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday

Closed Sunday

ADC:

7-10 a.m. breakfast; 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. lunch; 4:30-7 p.m. dinner Monday-Friday

Closed Saturday

9:15 a.m.-2 p.m. brunch; 5-6:30 p.m. dinner Sunday

 

CBU advances in 2015 “Best Regional Universities” rankings

U.S. News & World Report has included California Baptist University on its list of the nation’s “Best Colleges” for the ninth straight year. CBU is ranked No. 38 in the West in the publication’s “Best Regional Universities” category for 2015, up from No. 42 in the previous year’s rankings and No.58 in 2013.

The ranking places CBU in the top tier of educational institutions across the nation.

“This year’s ranking once again reflects the improvement in quality that California Baptist University continually strives to provide in order to enhance students’ overall experience,” said Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president. “Being named a ‘Best Regional University’ in this influential ranking affirms California Baptist University for the value of the educational and related opportunities it offers and also serves to validate the choice that students make to attend CBU.”

‘Best Colleges’ rankings are featured in U.S. News & World Report each year to aid prospective students and their parents looking for the best academic values for their money. Now in its 30th year, the annual comparative listing uses a quantitative system of 16 weighted indicators of academic excellence to rank universities. Those indicators include: student selectivity, retention and graduation rates; assessment by peer institutions; faculty resources; financial resources and alumni giving.

For 2015, the category of Best Regional Universities includes 620 institutions that offer a broad scope of undergraduate degrees and master’s degrees but few, if any, doctoral programs. A full list of the rankings can be viewed at www.usnews.com/colleges.

 

Open house showcases new features in Lancer Plaza North

California Baptist University’s Lancer Plaza North opened this fall with a brand new look and welcomed students and other visitors during an open house on Sept. 5.

Before CBU acquired the 11-acre property in 2006, restaurants and retail stores occupied the shopping center that was known as Adams Plaza. Today, as an integral new part of the CBU campus, the facility offers space for university offices, student areas and a popular new dining facility.

The new occupants are Office of Spiritual Life, Community Life Office, Campus Store, Office of Leadership and Transitions and the Associated Students of California Baptist University (ASCBU). El Monte Grill, a Mexican-themed restaurant, is also located there. The offices recently celebrated the move with a grand opening.

What do the occupants enjoy most about their new location? Space.

“We love everything, the space, the storage room,” said Heather Hubbert, assistant dean of students in the Office of Leadership and Transitions.

“It’s so big, there’s room for meetings and for students to come in,” said Taylor Rilling, graduate assistant for ASCBU.

Most offices housed in the new Lancer Plaza locations moved from the Yeager Center, some from more than one location. The new offices have room for storage, room to grow and for some, the staff is now in one location.

“It’s the first time I’ve been with my staff,” said Chris Hofschroer, assistant dean of students in Community Life. Hofschroer enjoys having staff, storage and recreation rental items all in one location that includes a lounge furnished with Ping-Pong tables and sofas where students can hang out.

“It’s warm and inviting,” he said. “Our students are realizing that.”

Components of the Office of Spiritual Life (OSL) used to be located in four different offices. John Montgomery appreciates having all the staff in one location.

“Having a ‘one-stop’ location for all ministry areas of OSL should make it easier for students to find us,” he said.

Office of Leadership and Transitions was formerly the Campus Life Office. It split into the Office of Leadership and Transitions and University Card Services, which remains in the Yeager Center. The function of the Office of Leadership includes new student orientation, student leadership and the FOCUS (First-year Orientation & Christian University Success) program.

“We love the community,” Hubbert said, referring to the other offices in the complex. “We love having the space for students to visit.”

 

CBU alumni teaching around the world

Last year, California Baptist University sent five alumni to teach English at a university in China. This year, 16 are going to China and Japan.

The Teach Abroad Program (TAP) is operated through the Global Initiatives office. Bryan Davis, director of the International Center, said the program has two missions: first, it is designed to help CBU build stronger partnerships with overseas institutions; and second, it helps CBU alumni who want to teach overseas.

“We’ve learned that many CBU students that are looking to teach overseas after graduation to get some experience or because they want to go overseas long term,” Davis said. “We thought, why allow them to continue to go through other placement agencies when we can build a process here for them to teach through the university?”

Every applicant needs to be a CBU graduate, hold a bachelor’s degree and commit to at least one teaching overseas. All the participants earn a certificate for Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Predictably, the group includes a fair share of English teachers, Davis said, but it also has attracted students with majors such as journalism, criminal justice and mathematics.

“CBU is such a globally minded place,” he said. “Students here have such a passion for intercultural relationships and global work that we see [students from all majors].”

Cassandra Jo Kitchen (’14) graduated with a major in foundational mathematics and will be teaching at a high school in China. While she will be teaching English through TAP, her ultimate goal is teach math.

“I have worries or fears of not reaching my students, getting homesick, eating different foods and not knowing the language, but that is what drives me to go.” she said. “I am so comfortable in my American world that I believe a little discomfort will be good for me.”

CBU provided the group with six weeks of training over the summer including lesson planning, teaching methods and cross-cultural understanding. They also received practical experience while teaching more than 400 international students who came to CBU for language camps.

 

Family Updates

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, recently hosted Mark Takano, U.S. Representative for California’s 41^st congressional district. It was Takano’s first visit to California Baptist University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Grace Ni, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, presented a paper titled Analyzing the Nonlinearity of Binary Phase Detector in Phase-Locked Loops at the 2014 IEEE International Symposium on  Radio-Frequency Integration Technology in Hefei, China, Aug. 27-30. The paper was co-authored with Xuelin Xu, principle engineer at Luxtera Inc., who also serves as an industrial curriculum partner to Dr. Ni’s courses in electronics.

 

 

 

 

CBU students were featured in the Southern Baptist International Mission Board’s Commission Stories. The students were part of the IMB’s Face2Face summer program, which sends students overseas for two months of discipleship and ministry. To read the article, click here.

 

 

 

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, associate professor of public relations in Online and Professional Studies, presented a webinar for Give Big Riverside County on Pinterest and Instagram Sept. 5. More than 25 attendees from area nonprofits learned how to use these image based social media sites to deliver messages, gain support and raise funds. Also, Dr. Patricia Hernandez, assistant professor of communication in Online and Professional Studies, and Pearson presented a workshop on internships and social media to business owners and nonprofits in downtown Riverside Sept. 9. The meeting promoted the second year of the CBU OPS and Riverside Downtown Partnership internship program. Pearson also wrote an article titled Mentoring Online to Facilitate Internships, which was published in the Sept. 15 issue of Connect, a publication of the International Mentoring Association.

 

Dr. Hyun-Woo Park, professor of biology, co-authored a paper titled Protein crystal structure obtained at 2.9 Å resolution from injecting bacterial cells into an X-ray free-electron laser beam, which was published Sept. 2 in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Chris Morgan and Dr. Anthony Chute, dean and associate dean of the School of Christian Ministries respectively, recently had three of their books highlighted in Preaching Magazine’s The Preacher’s Guide to Best in Bibles and Bible Reference of 2014. The books included The Community of Jesus: A Theology of the Church (B&H); Fallen: A Theology of Sin (Crossway); and Why We Belong: Evangelical Unity and Denominational Diversity (Crossway).

 

 

 

The University Assessment Committee presented its Best Awards for 2013-2014 Sept. 9. Certificates were awarded included Dirk Dallas, College of Architecture, Visual Arts, and Design, Best Rookie Coordinator; Dr. Lisa Bursch, School of Nursing, Best Program Review; Dr. Steve Betts, School of Music, Best College/School Assessment Coordinator; Dr. Betsy Morris, Online and Professional Studies,  Best Overall Assessment Coordinator; Dr. Rebecca Meyer, School of Nursing, Best Program Review,  Dr. Carol Minton, School of Behavioral Sciences, Best Improved Assessment; and Dr. Susan Drummond, School of Nursing, Best Program Review.

Best Awards recognize the excellent work and achievements accomplished by the identified assessment coordinators. Annual assessment and periodic program review are vital processes designed to better serve CBU students by seeking continual improvement in all academic programs.

 

 

Dr. Daniel Prather, chair of the department of aviation science, taught a four-day airport operations course in Nashville, Tenn. to 50 airport professionals on behalf of the American Association of Airport Executives, Aug. 25-28.

 

 

 

 

The department of aviation science welcomed 55 students to campus Sept. 5 during the 2^nd Annual Aviation Science Welcome Dinner. Students, faculty and staff were treated to a Q&A session with a panel of aviation industry experts, including pilots from Skywest Airlines and Delta Airlines, the Southwest Airlines manager of dispatch standards, an aviation planner with RBF Consulting and a senior aviation maintenance technician with FedEx. Students Lacey Schimming and Jennifer Endeman were awarded the Aviation Science Chair’s Scholarship.

Students in the department of aviation science produced a video highlighting the very first year of CBU’s aviation science program. To view the video, click here.

 

Dr. Gayne Anacker, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, served as program director for the C.S. Lewis Foundation’s recent C.S. Lewis Summer Institute, which carried the theme Oxbridge 2014–Reclaiming the Virtues: Human Flourishing in the 21st Century. The conference was held July 21-31 in Oxford and Cambridge, England at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. Anacker also served as co-leader for the Great Books Seminar and presented the paper Natural Law and the Recent Turn toward Virtue Ethics in the special session of the Academic Roundtable. Dr. Scott Key, professor of philosophy, served as director of the Academic Roundtable and presented a paper titled Toward an Epistemology of Value: Wisdom and Trust in Aristotle’s Ethics and the Gospel of Mark. Dr. Toni Dingman, associate professor of English, and Dr. Angela Brand, associate professor of music, also presented papers. Dingman’s paper was titled Lewis, the Law of Human Nature and the Crisis of Modern Civility, while Brand presented Research and Presence:  Finding Virtue in Musical Manuscripts.

 

The College of Allied Health hosted its first Welcome Back Rally on Sept. 4 with more than 650 students, faculty, and staff in attendance. The event was held at the Recreation Center and included faculty introductions, academic information, social media announcements and multiple contests to win a CBU Beach Cruiser, $25 to the Apple Store, and gift cards for on-campus dining. This was a great opportunity for students within the College to connect with their faculty and department chairs, and to meet Clinical Coordinator Lori Torres. The Office of Career Services was also present, providing helpful information to juniors and seniors looking for internship and employment opportunities. Tiffany Hendricks, a freshman, won the CBU Beach Cruiser after competing in a trivia competition and mirror-dance competition.

 

Dr. Monica O’Rourke, associate professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, had her theory and research in kinesiology highlighted in a textbook titled Applied Health Fitness Psychology, published by Human Kinetics Publications.  The book includes O’Rourke’s theory of psychological motivation for lifelong fitness and her research of situational factors for exercise.

 

 

 

Dr. Linn Carothers, professor of mathematics, and Dr. Ricardo Cordero-Soto, assistant professor of mathematics, have partnered with CBU alumnus Nicholas Janzen ‘12, mathematics teacher at Notre Dame High School, to bring Notre Dame High School students to campus for a Bridge to Supercomputing program. Students will receive instruction in construction and programming of supercomputers, dynamical systems, stochastic processes, computational methods and modeling. Thirteen students attended the first session on Aug. 23.

 

 

 

 

 

Stewart Undem, adjunct professor of music, recently returned from a summer tour of Australia as lead trombonist in the Glenn Miller Orchestra. The band, one of two licensed in the U.S. by Glenn Miller Products Inc., exclusively travels overseas. The Australian tour included 57 concerts.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Kenneth Minesinger, associate professor of law for Online & Professional Studies, recently edited an article for the State Bar of California’s Business Law News titled Protecting the Tax Refunds of Consolidated Tax Filers in Bankruptcy.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. A. Abdelmessih, professor of mechanical engineering, was a delegate to the 15^th International Heat Transfer Conference Aug. 12. Abdelmessih presented an article titled Blinking and Temperature Gradients in Normal Functioning Human Eye. The International Heat Transfer Conference is the world’s premier conference for scientists and engineers in the heat and mass transfer research community, who convene every four years to exchange the latest information.  The acceptance rate for this refereed international conference was 53 percent. Abdelmessih also served as an associate editor for the International Heat Transfer Conference Proceedings.

 

 

Forty-eight faculty members from the College of Allied Health, School of Behavioral Health Sciences and the School of Nursing attended a two-day workshop on CBU’s campus titled Called2Collaborate an Interprofessional Education: A Faculty Workshop.The workshop was presented by the Called2Collaborate faculty committee consisting of Dayna Herrera (chair), Dr. Nicole MacDonald (co-chair), Dr. Jolene Baker, Dr. Kenneth Pearce, Dr. Meg Barth, Dr. Susan Drummond, and Dr. Carol Minton. This workshop provided an opportunity for university faculty to understand the national initiative on interprofessional education (IPE) and to work with multiple health related disciplines in planning IPE activities for use with students. Dr. Hewitt Matthews, vice president of health sciences at Mercer University, was keynote speaker.

 

 

Personnel Updates