In this issue…
Current News
Aviation flight graduates to benefit from Ameriflight agreement
California Baptist University recently signed an agreement with Ameriflight LLC, that will provide additional career opportunities for aviation flight graduates.
Students who meet a list of requirements will be guaranteed an interview with Ameriflight, a regional cargo carrier based in Dallas, Texas. The requirements include completing CBU curriculum and flight training, maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA and attaining a position as a certified flight instructor.
“This agreement is another vote of industry confidence for our department of aviation science,” said Dr. Daniel Prather, chair of the department of aviation science. “Ameriflight is a well-paying regional airline with a great need for pilots.”
CBU Aviation Science program already has a similar partnership agreements with SkyWest Airlines and Express Jet Airlines.
A recent article by AINonline indicates that Ameriflight raised its pay rates by 20 percent last November, and another increase took effect recently. A senior Embraer EMB-120 captain now makes $89,000 per year and a Piper Chieftain pilot $43,000 (up from $28,000).
The company’s website describes Ameriflight as a fleet cargo service, with more than 2,000 weekly departures and 90,000 flight hours annually. The agreement also includes an opportunity for CBU graduates to land a guaranteed interview with Allegiant Airlines after three years as an Ameriflight captain.
The CBU Department of Aviation Science opened in fall 2013 with 25 students and has grown to almost 60 students currently enrolled. The program has 11 flight training aircraft and an operations center with a flight simulator. This program also operates the CBU Flight School, which provides flight training for anyone who has an interest in learning how to fly at university-level standards.
CBU Flight School reaches milestone with testing center
California Baptist University’s Department of Aviation Science recently reached another milestone. The CBU Flight School now has an approved FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Center located in the Flight Operations Center.
The onsite testing center allows students to take their FAA exam in an environment they are familiar with and is convenient for them, said Dr. Daniel Prather, chair of the department of aviation science, which had its inaugural class in the fall of 2013. Previously, CBU aviation science students had to use an off-site testing center. Aviation flight majors typically take one test each semester to earn their rating or certificate in various areas, such as instrument rating or flight engineer.
“Having the testing center in-house just helps us provide the total package,” Prather said. “Students can come into the program, learn how to fly, earn their ratings and certificates, take their FAA written exams and earn their college degree.”
The test center is available to anyone wanting to take FAA-required knowledge exams, not just CBU students. The Flight School has 11 aircraft, six flight instructors with more being hired and now a test center.
“It’s yet another piece of the puzzle that allows us to continue growing and realizing our vision,” Prather said.
PacWest TV features CBU Men’s Basketball star’s inspiring story
Two years ago, Chris Brown joined on as one of California Baptist University head coach Rick Croy’s first recruits and established himself as a key member of the team. He was named the inaugural PacWest Defender of the Year in 2013-14 and showed his leadership on and off the court. The PacWest TV showcased the senior guard and his inspiring story of heart and determination in this video.
To read the complete story, click here.
11 Lancer women make water polo all-academic team
For the second year in a row, California Baptist University produced 11 Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches All-Academic players in 2015.
In addition to the individual honors, CBU’s women’s water polo team was distinguished as a whole as its 3.27 team grade point average ranked 14th in the ACWPC, which includes NCAA teams from all three divisions. It is the fourth time the Lancers have had up to 11 All-Academic honorees in the ACWPC, matching the feat in 2011 and qualifying a program-high 12 in 2007.
ACWPC All-Academic awards are given in three tiers: outstanding, superior and excellent. Half of the Lancers were marked as outstanding by posting a GPA between 4.00 and 3.71. Superior students fall between a 3.70 and 3.41 and excellent honorees logged a 3.40 to 3.20.
To read the complete story, click here.
Family Updates
David Isaacs
David Isaacs, assistant professor of English, presented a paper, titled In Plain Sight: The Hiddenness of God in Terrence Malick’s The Days of Heaven, at the Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature at Seattle University on May 22. He also presented a second paper, Crossing Borders in Alex Rivera’s Sleep Dealer, at the Approaching Posthumanism and the Posthuman conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 5.
From left: Amy Leonard and Dr. Ronald L. Ellis
Amy Leonard, director of development — athletics, was named CBU’s Employee of the Month for July. The Employee of the Month Nomination Form included the following statements: “Amy has maintained a consistent level of production that has increased as her responsibilities have increased. I continue to get outstanding unsolicited comments from donors, parents of our students, and the athletic staff about how much they appreciate working with Amy. She has an attitude of service and it shows in everything she does.”
Dr. Guy Holliday
Dr. Guy Holliday, assistant professor of music, became the associate dean of the School of Music on July 1 in addition to being the director of bands.
Dr. Dawn Gilmore
Dr. Dawn Gilmore, assistant professor of music, attended the National Worship Leaders Conference in Kansas City, Kan., June 23-25. She led a session on The Care and Feeding of Youth Choirs. The conference was sponsored by Worship Leader Magazine. Suzie Stablein, a 1987 CBC graduate, was the conference director.
Dr. Derek Updegraff
Dr. Derek Updegraff, assistant professor of English, recently published one poem and three short stories in literary journals. His poem Setting appeared in Christianity and Literature, volume 64, number 3; his story Thursday Morning at A. R. Valentien appeared in The Sierra Nevada Review, volume 26; his story Chrysalis appeared in Bayou Magazine, issue 63; and his story Some Substantial Thing appeared in The Chiron Review, issue 100.
Dr. Jong-Wha Bai
Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, associate professor of civil engineering, conducted a seminar on seismic vulnerability and loss estimation of concrete structures for civil engineering graduate students at Seoul National University in Korea on June 22.
Tracy Ward, associate provost for administration, and DawnEllen Jacobs, vice provost, presented a paper, Visualizing Narrative: A Cross-Cultural Case Study, at the 4th Annual International Conference on Language, Literature and Linguistics in Singapore June 8-9. The paper brought together Ward’s experience working with her 2014 ISP Deaf outreach team and Jacobs’ expertise in language and linguistics, giving both scholars an opportunity to explore the intersections of scholarship, service and faith.
From left: Debbi Guthrie, Ashley Hoppes, Dr. Natalie Winter
The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce awarded Ashley Hoppes, CBU School of Business student, the Athena Scholarship of $2,000. She was given the award at the 31st Annual Athena Award luncheon at the Mission Inn on May 20. She was introduced by Dr. Natalie Winter, associate professor of marketing, and presented with the scholarship by Debbi Guthrie, senior vice president of Raincross Hospitality Corp.
Dr. Dennis Bideshi
Dr. Dennis K. Bideshi, professor of biology, coauthored a paper titled Potential use of Bacillus thuringiensis bacteriocins to control antibiotic-resistant bacteria associated with mastitis in dairy goats that was published in Folia Microbiologica (May 2015).
Dr. Elaine Ahumada
Dr. Elaine Ahumada, associate professor of public administration with Online and Professional Studies, was named as Outstanding Educator of the Year by the American Society of Public Administration Inland Empire Chapter. She received the award June 24 at the Victoria Club in Riverside. The award is presented to a person whose primary employment or vocation is in the field of education, either as a teacher, counselor, researcher or fundraiser and has made notable, positive contributions to an organization’s efficiency, morale or economics.
Dr. William Flores, associate professor of Spanish, is author of the book Ecocrítica poscolonial y literatura moderna latinoamericana (Postcolonial Ecocriticism and Modern Latin American Literature), which was recently published by the University Press of the UNMSM and has been selected to be presented at the Lima International Book Fair (FIL-Lima 2015). In his book, Flores examines the environmental crisis and its impact on the life and literature of Latin America exploring the ecological consciousness manifested in the thoughts of authors such as José Vasconcelos, Mario Vargas Llosa, Rómulo Gallegos, Gabriel García Márquez, and Rodrigo Fresán.
From left: Simeon Adgo, Jennifer Zunigha, Brian Zunigha, Moses Bewa, with a picture of Charlotte
Brian Zunigha, director of fellowship, and his wife, Jennifer, have adopted two boys from Ethiopia. The adoption of Simeon Adgo, 6, and Moses Bewa, 4, was official on June 18. The couple also have a daughter, Charlotte, 5.
From left: Greyson and Tyler Lee Stewart
Shannon Stewart, assistant to the director of Facilities and Planning Services, and her husband, Jeff, welcomed their second son on May 18. Tyler Lee weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 21 inches. His brother, Greyson, is 4.
Reagan Joy Belmont
Carson Belmont, assistant director of recreation programs, and his wife, Hillary Belmont, assistant strength and conditioning coach, welcomed their second child on July 2. Reagan Joy weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 20.75 inches. Her brother, Jacoby Titus, is 20 months old.
Personnel Updates
