In this issue…
Current News
Second wave of volunteers departs for global service
California Baptist University sent out 11 more volunteer teams May 13 through 20. The groups, which are participating in International Service Projects and Summer of Service programs, are serving in multiple locations in Asia and the United Kingdom.
The teams join 16 others already at work in Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Poland, Spain, Thailand and the United Kingdom. More than 370 participants will serve this summer on 42 teams in 16 countries. The teams also will include the 4,000th participant in the 19-year history of ISP/USP/SOS.
Before they leave the campus, each team gathers to pray at the Kugel, a granite globe that floats on a base inscribed with the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20).
The teams asked for prayer as they serve each other, the fieldworkers and others they meet.
Kristen White, director of global mobilization, told family and friends that the burden falls on them to pray.
“I ask you to band together in prayer, that you would be as resolved or more so than my friends going,” she said. “The real work will be done on your knees here. So my prayer for you is that the Holy Spirit would help you figure out your time, how to pray for each one of them.”
CBU graduate runs half marathon in Japan
Jacqueline Lutz crossed the stage May 2 to receive her master’s degree in education from California Baptist University. A week later, she ran in the streets of Sendai, Japan.
Lutz was one of two runners representing the city of Riverside in the Sendai International Half Marathon on May 10. Riverside and Sendai are sister cities. Runners included those from Sendai’s other sister/friendship cities, such as Rennes, France, and Minsk, Belarus, and world class runners. More than 10,000 runners participated.
“The experience of running with athletes from all over the world is just so exciting and such an honor to be lined up on the start line with them,” Lutz said.
Lutz also was chosen to run in the half marathon last year. This year she was joined by Michael John Stanley as the men’s runner and Adrian Aros as the delegation leader. She finished 79th in the women’s group with 1 hour, 36 minutes and 51 seconds, which was more than 3 minutes faster than her time last year. While in Japan, the team also met with the sister city athletes, visited a mausoleum, a Buddhist temple and the Sendai International Center.
“I was really excited with the results and just being able to meet the new sister city athletes and coaches and also the returning athletes and coaches,” she said.
Lutz, who received her bachelor’s degree from CBU in 2012, was a member of the Lancer cross country and track team as a 5k and 10k runner. Her biggest challenge last year was training. Since she no longer was part of the team, she had to determine what worked for her, she said. To prepare this year, she ran several half marathons as well as a 5k and 10k.
She was thankful she had the opportunity to run in the event twice and would like to apply to go again.
“For me, what comes to mind, is how much of an honor and a blessing it is to be chosen to represent the city of Riverside, and along with that, representing California Baptist University, and most importantly the Lord,” she said. “I’m just very grateful that He allowed me to run again.”
CBU wins third PacWest Commissioner’s Cup
For the second year in a row, California Baptist University has won the PacWest Commissioner’s Cup by a good cushion, according to an announcement by the PacWest Conference May 7.
Since joining the conference during the 2011-12 season and winning their first Commissioner’s Cup, the Lancers have won the Cup three times, becoming the first program to do so. CBU is also just the second school to take home back-to-back awards after claiming the Cup last year and has never finished outside of the top two in the standings.
“Winning the Commissioner’s Cup for the third time in four years is a big accomplished for our student athletes, coaches and staff members,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Micah Parker. “We’ve had to continue to improve as a department because the PacWest has become so much stronger than when we won this for the first time four years ago. This accomplishment reflects the hard work of our coaches who are recruiting the right student athletes for CBU and then developing them each year. I’m proud to work with so many people who want to Honor Christ through excellence in athletics.”
CBU ended the year in the top spot in the race for the Cup, finishing the year with a score of 12.682, over the Azusa Pacific University Cougars’ 11.091 mark.
The PacWest Commissioner’s Cup was established in 2007-08 to honor the athletic program with the best overall performance in that academic year. The competition is based upon average finish in PacWest sports. Each school’s points are totaled and then divided by the number of PacWest athletic programs it offers, giving an overall average finish for the school. Since not every team in the conference sponsors the same sports, the PacWest Commissioner’s Cup Standings are based upon average finish instead of point totals. Each school’s points are totaled and then divided by the number of PacWest athletic programs it offers, giving an overall average finish for the school.
Distinguished Professor, Scholar and Staff member honored
From left: Dr. Elizabeth A. Morris, Dr. Andrew Herrity and Robert Shields were honored at the faculty and staff banquet.
California Baptist University honored two faculty and a staff member on April 30 during its annual faculty and staff awards banquet.
CBU’s board of trustees each year selects the Distinguished Professor and Distinguished Scholar award recipients.
Dr. Elizabeth A. Morris, professor of education for Online and Professional Studies (OPS), was named Distinguished Professor, a faculty member who has established a record of distinguished service to CBU.
“I was honored and humbled,” she said. “Many of the names who have been given this award before me were my professors, mentors, administrators and friends. I think that is a great testament to those who are part of where I am today.
Morris has been at CBU for 17 years and has taught various math courses, childhood core courses and education courses at the master’s level.
“I am thankful every day for the gift of teaching that God has given me,” she said. “I continually pray for the opportunity to make a difference for my students, to ease math anxiety, to empower my students to succeed, and to inspire those who want to be teachers.”
Dr. Andrew Herrity, professor of business and entrepreneurship, was named Distinguished Scholar. His proposal is to research and write a book that would address two related challenges: few students in business flourish in Christ and few business graduates flourish in Christ in the first years after graduation.
Herrity has taught at CBU for 22 years and his classes have included business policy and entrepreneurship.
“The recognition from the university affirms that the book project is a good direction, and that encourages me,” he said. “My hope is to help every student in my courses develop in his or her God-given talents for thriving in work and contributing as problem-solvers.”
Robert Shields, online learning systems administrator for OPS, was named Employee of the Year. CBU’s Executive Council selects the Employee of the Year recipient from those staff members who have been named employees of the month during the year. Any employee may submit a nomination for employee of the month to that employee’s supervisor.
Shields’ job includes providing support and training for the Blackboard learning management system and providing help desk support for students, faculty and staff in OPS.
“Technology changes so quickly, and everyone has different needs when it comes to using technology,” Shields said about his job and helping others. “I don’t think there’s a really one size fits all when it comes to providing technology support. I try to listen to what the needs of each person are and provide a solution that best fits the situation based on a person’s business needs and skill set.”
Family Updates
Second-graders from Stokoe Elementary School in Riverside visited CBU May 18 in association with the No Excuses University Program.
About 100 second-graders from Stokoe Elementary School in Riverside visited CBU May 18 in association with the No Excuses University Program. The program is designed to encourage kids at an early age to consider going to college. Dr. Doreen Ferko, professor of special education, Dr. Ricardo Cordero-Soto, assistant professor of mathematics, Dr. Helen Jung, associate professor of civil engineering, Dr. Grace Ni, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Dr. Rebecca Meyer, assistant professor of nursing, talked to the students about their respective fields.
From left: Dr. Creed Jones and Dr. Matthew Rickard
Dr. Creed Jones, professor of software engineering, and Dr. Matthew Rickard, associate professor of bioengineering, presented their paper, Scleral strain near the limbus using digital microscopy of natural features in porcine eyes at ARVO 2015, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology’s annual conference, which met in Denver on May 3-7. More than 11,000 attendees participated in the event, which included clinicians, scientists and engineers. CBU undergraduate engineering students (all recent graduates) also co-authored the paper, including Jonathan Cox, James DeVore, Alma Castro and Jonathan Brannen.
Joni B. Hannigan
Joni B. Hannigan, adjunct professor for public relations for Online and Professional Studies, received the Frank Burkhalter Award for news writing at the 51st annual Wilmer C. Fields Awards Competition held by the Baptist Communicators Association in San Francisco on April 15-18. Hannigan submitted a news package she had written about disaster relief ministry for illegal immigrant children in Brownsville, Texas, who had come from South and Central America. She also won a first place award for a single article within the package and a third place for a photograph.
Dr. Michael Roe, adjunct professor of education, wrote an article titled Connecting Learning to Career Pathways, published in the May/June issue of Leadership Magazine. He also presented research for CBU’s Leadership Series on Organizational Tactics on April 23.
Noemi Hernandez Alexander
Noemi Hernandez Alexander, lecturer of political science for Online and Professional Studies, presented research on the Dimensions of Social Capital and Latino Political Participation at the 2015 Western Political Science Association Conference in Las Vegas on April 1.
Dr. Daniel Prather
Dr. Daniel Prather, professor of aviation science, taught a four-day airport certified employee – operations course to 37 airport professionals in Seattle on May 4-7.
The School of Christian Ministries developed a new lecture series webpage with videos of recent speakers Dr. Timothy George, Dr. George H. Guthrie and Dr. Steve Wellum. The School of Christian Ministries Lecture Series provides an opportunity for students, faculty, pastors and guests to learn from leading evangelical scholars who combine their academic expertise with service to the church.
Dr. Dan Wilson
Dr. Dan Wilson, professor of biblical studies, was elected as chairman by the board of trustees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary at its spring meeting April 14-15.
From left: Cecily Dussel, Scott Sandy, Dr. Nathanael Heyman, Dr. Daniel Szeto, Dr. Bonjun Koo, Brittany Appleby, Amairani Villa, Gisele Shema, Daniella Munezero
Dr. Bonjun Koo, professor of environmental science, Dr. Daniel Szeto, associate professor of biology and biochemistry, and Dr. Nathanael Heyman, associate professor biology, along with several of their student researchers attended the 40th annual West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference on April 25 at Point Loma Nazarene University. Brittany Appleby, Koo’s student, presented the results of her research in a talk titled Seedling Response and Spoil Characteristics on Surface Mine Land-Carbon Sequestration. Szeto’s students Gisele Shema, Monica Sangco, Daniella Munezero and Cecily Dussel presented the results of their research in a poster titled Gene Regulation in Lateral Mesodermal Progenitor Cells of Zebrafish. Heyman’s students Spencer Arnold, Gabriela Lumagui and Amairani Villa presented the results of their research in a poster titled Investigation of the Effects of Energy Drink on Zebrafish.
From left: Representative of the Republic of Ecuador; Billy Munoz, consul of the Republic of Guatemala, and Dr. William Flores
Dr. William Flores, associate professor of Spanish, represented CBU as an honored guest at the dedication ceremony of the new Guatemalan consulate in San Bernardino on April 18. The formal ceremony was attended by foreign representatives of the Central American country in the United States and invited guests. Flores spoke about the California DREAM Act and the diverse ways in which CBU is providing service to the local Hispanic community.
Dr. Cammy Purper
Dr. Cammy Purper, assistant professor of early childhood studies for Online and Professional Studies, recently successfully defended her dissertation, A Study of Early Childhood Teachers’ Use of Federally Funded Websites that Disseminate Information About Evidence-Based Practices at Claremont Graduate University. As a result, she has earned a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in special education.
From left: Ashley Huckaby, Gabby Casango, Lilia Valdez, Dr. Dawn Gilmore and Athalia Ayuco. Justina Dreschler is next to Gerald Longerbeam.
While on tour earlier this month, the Women’s Choir met a former CBC professor, Gerald Longerbeam, at Brookdale Redmond, a senior living community in Redmond, Ore. Longerbeam taught at CBC in the 1950s. On May 10, the Women’s Choir was hosted at Trinity Baptist Church in Livermore, Calif., where CBC alumni Donna and Merrill Smoak and John Raymondi attend. Merrill Smoak is the minister of worship and music.
From left: Dr. Ronald L. Ellis and Lupe Solano
Lupe Solano, administrative assistant for university advancement, received her bachelor’s degree in sociology during CBU’s commencement ceremonies on May 2.
Dr. Patrick Schacht
Dr. John Higley
The department of natural and mathematical sciences held its annual Forensic Science Day on May 4 for students from the Law Enforcement and Protective Services Academy at John W. North High School in Riverside. Dr. John Higley, associate professor of criminal justice, helped the students process a mock crime scene and collect evidence, which the students analyzed in the chemistry lab, assisted by Dr. Patrick Schacht, assistant professor of biochemistry, and several chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology majors.
Dr. Bruce Stokes
Julie Goodman
Dr. H. Bruce Stokes, professor of anthropology and behavioral sciences, and Julie Goodman, assistant professor of anthropology, attended the Southwestern Anthropological Association (SWAA) meetings at the Queen Mary in Long Beach May 1-3. They participated on a panel presentation of fieldwork in anthropology. Goodman, who serves as the secretary of SWAA, also held a session for students interested in graduate school in anthropology.
Faculty and staff who were recognized for their years of service at the Faculty and Staff Awards Banquet on April 30 included:
5 years of service: Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, Christopher Bates, Dr. Mark Blincoe, Mollie Bohrer, Dr. Torria Bond, Dr. Lisa Bursch, Monte Capps, Dr. Linn Carothers, Shelley Clow, Morgan Cox, Jane Craig, Dr. Khamla Dhouti-Martinez, Tamarin Fleming, Sandy Frazer, Sean Gaynor, Dr. Trevor Gillum, Erin Guerrero, Sean Henning, Dr. Tran Hong, Kyle Howlett, Dr. Francois Jacobs, Kendra Johnson, Jason Larkins, Sonya Lopez, Anita Martinez, Dr. Neal McBride, Candyce McCloud, Dr. Rebecca Meyer, Marta Morrison, Lynnae N. Nagel, Dr. Monica O’Rourke, Dr. Joseph Pelletier, Dr. Frederick Pontius, Dr. David L. Poole, Charles Ramos, Dr. Victoria Randazzo, Dr. Matthew Rickard, Merritt Robinson, Dr. Chuck Sands, David Savolainen, Gregg M. Schroeder, Kipp Smith, Kyle Smith, Zelotes Smith, Sheri L. Torelli, Stacey Toro, Nancy Ward, Erin Wellington, Kelli Welzel and Amy Wright
10 years of service: Pam Bailon, Mike Berger, Dr. Eric Brook, Debbie Coppers, Jeffery Couto, Dr. Kenya Davis-Hayes, Dr. William Flores, Kristina Gibeault, Robert Griffin, Dr. John Higley, Heather Hubbert, Rachel Keys, Dr. Bonjun Koo, Mike Marse, Dr. Jane McGuire, Theodore “Ted” Meyer, Julie Moulton, Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, Samantha Sonke, Dr. Sean Sullivan, Dr. Laura Veltman, Dr. Deron Walker, Kristen White and Jeremy Zimmerman
15 years of service: John Engelschall, Julie Fresquez, Jose Hernandez, Irina Renfro, Lupe Solano, Dr. Jennifer Tronti, Dr. Tracy Ward and Dr. Jonathan Parker
20 years of service: Dr. James Lu, Dr. John McCarthy, Kris Smith and Dr. Amy Stumpf
30 years of service: Dr. Tim Luther
The board of trustees approved the following faculty promotions:
Promotion from assistant to associate professor: Michael Berger, Dr. Nathanael Heyman, Dr. Susan Jetton
Promotion from associate professor to full professor: Dr. Dirk Davis, Dr. John Reinebach, Dr. Keith Walters
Promotion from associate librarian to librarian: Dr. Steve Emerson
Granted tenure: Michael Berger, Dr. Dirk Davis, Dr. Keith Hekman, Dr. Susan Jetton, Dr. Jennifer Newton, Dr. Juliann Perdue, Dr. John Reinebach, Dr. Keith Walters, Dr. Marc Weniger, Dr. Natalie Winter, Dr. Xuping Xu
Granted tenure continuation: Dr. Anthony Chute, Dr. Beverly Howard, Dr. Richard Mobley, Dr. Susan Studer
Brendan Provance
Brendan Provance, son of Dr. Brett Provance, associate professor of humanities for Online and Professional Studies, was the honorary bat boy at the Angels baseball game on Cinco de Mayo. This was facilitated by University Advancement as part of the Angels baseball game night for CBU. Brendan met most of the players and a number of the coaches and is pictured in the official uniform issued to him that night.
Personnel Updates
