January 20, 2017

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

College of Health Science campus receives Beautification Award

The revitalization of the College of Health Science campus at California Baptist University has received a beautification award from the Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful (KRCB) program.

CBU received second place in the category of Exterior Reconstruction with Landscaping. Mayor Rusty Bailey and Cindy Roth, CEO of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, presented the KRCB awards after the annual State of the City address on Jan. 19. Dr. Charles D. “Chuck” Sands, CBU provost and vice president for academic affairs, accepted the accolade on behalf of the university.

KRCB is a community-sponsored program by the City of Riverside and the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce. Its mission is to foster a sense of community pride by creating partnerships that work toward the beautification of the city.

CBU’s College of Health Science project was a $17.5 million-plus infrastructure remodel of the former Riverside Christian School complex located at 3532 Monroe St. The facility now serves as the campus for CBU’s College of Health Science. It includes office space, classrooms and labs, hosting a broad range of programs including an associate degree program plus 15 undergraduate and five graduate programs. More than 1,000 students are enrolled at the College of Health Science during the 2016-17 academic year.

The 2017 award follows two consecutive first-place finishes for CBU in the Exterior Reconstruction with Landscaping category the past two years. In 2016, CBU was recognized for the remodeling project of student residences known as The Point, and in 2015 for the Lancer Plaza North project.

 

CBU Outdoor Adventures program hosts Mammoth trip

A group of California Baptist University students and staff spent part of the first holiday weekend of 2017 skiing and snowboarding the snow-covered slopes of Mammoth Mountain.

The two-day excursion was operated through the CBU Community Life Outdoor Adventures program. The program provides opportunities for students to enjoy natural wonders such as prestigious national parks, popular mountain ranges and the iconic beaches of the Pacific coast. Community Life provides, for a nominal fee, transportation, appropriate gear for the adventure and most of the food. Twenty-six CBU students and four staff members participated in the latest Mammoth excursion.

“Usually you don’t get to go with 26 other students or friends or people of your age, so there’s a common bond that’s formed,” said Tucker Carl, Community Life’s program coordinator – outdoor adventures. “It’s just a great way to make friends.”

Christina McDonald, a junior double majoring in leadership studies and business administration, made it a goal this semester to join an Outdoor Adventure to meet a new group of Lancers. She said a highlight was learning how to snowboard again from peers and staff.

“I loved the group that went. Every one [that I met] had different majors within CBU. We all came together to have a great weekend,” McDonald said.

Other Outdoor Adventures this semester includes kayaking in La Jolla (San Diego), and several five-day camping trips to Big Sur (California’s central coast) and Santa Barbara, and also to the Grand Canyon and Page, Arizona.

Community Life offers these opportunities to provide unique experiences, Carl said.

“It is a great way to create an environment in which people can interact and build relationships while enjoying God’s creation,” Carl said.

 

CBU Gallery features first alumni exhibit, “Hello Riverside”

A university art gallery may seem an unlikely place to display a children’s book, but for an exhibit now showing in downtown Riverside it makes perfect sense.

California Baptist University alumnus Mark Cloud (‘05) and his wife, Giselle, collaborated with another CBU graduate, Jessica Robyn (nee Ford ‘13), to create a children’s board book, “Hello Riverside,” that presents Riverside in a whimsical way. The team’s work is the latest exhibit at the CBU Gallery.

The Clouds wrote the book and Robyn created the illustrations. “Hello Riverside” takes children on a tour of Riverside, stopping at 12 landmarks.

Mark said the idea for the book was prompted when he and his wife began to read to their young son. With Mark growing up in Riverside and Giselle growing up in the Inland Empire, the couple developed a fondness for the city.

“The main purpose of writing this book was to introduce Riverside to its newest generation of residents,” Cloud said. “We wanted to create something for parents and grandparents to share [with children] … that would help both of them foster a love and appreciation for the city.”

Robyn said she had recently found out she was pregnant when asked to illustrate the book, which made it perfect timing.

Robyn’s enjoys producing artwork that is fun and whimsical, which can be seen in the book and other illustrations that are on display at the Gallery. Robyn admits that doing serious art in class at CBU was a challenge.

“I just wanted to doodle and have fun and create something playful and happy,” Robyn said. “I appreciate being able to make people smile.”

The book will be available for $10 at www.helloriversidebook.com by month’s end.

The exhibit is CBU Gallery’s first to feature work by CBU alumni.

Kristi Lippire, assistant professor of visual art, said the exhibit demonstrates support for alumni, promotes CBU programs and benefits current students by providing an example of how to use their skills after graduation.

The exhibit runs through March 4 at CBU’s Gallery, located at 3737 Main St., Suite 101 in downtown Riverside. The gallery is open Tuesday–Saturday from noon–8 p.m. 

 

CBU community pays tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

After a day off to observe the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, students, faculty and staff at California Baptist University returned to campus on Jan. 17 with an opportunity to pay tribute to the late iconic figure of the civil rights movement.

The event in the Stamps Courtyard was the first of several planned over the next few weeks by Community Life to honor King and highlight other influential African-American figures.

George Martin, director of cultural and commuter programs in Community Life, said these types of events educate and promote support for one another.

“It’s important to be exposed to the different cultures, different heritages and to be able to appreciate and embrace differences…so that we can have a better appreciation of one another,” Martin said.

At the tribute, people wrote on the “Dream Wall” their hopes for the future and had an opportunity to watch King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, which played on a loop throughout the afternoon. Additionally, drummers, featuring elementary students from Excel Prep Academy (Moreno Valley, California) performed at the event.

“Martin Luther King Jr. had a message that still is relevant today and not just in the ‘60s,” Vandenberg said.

On Jan. 26, a poetry slam event will be held in the Community Life lounge. Community Life will partner with the Slam Poetry Club at CBU to feature student poets and two local spoken word artists, Brandon Allen and Treesje Thomas. Additionally, historic and current African-American poets and figures will be highlighted at the event.

“Poetry—we use the term spoken word—was a major part of expression in the African-American culture,” Martin said.

On Feb. 10, there will also be a “Living Out the Dream” event in Innovators Auditorium. It will include vocal performances by students, a church choir and local recording artists Joslynn James and Leon Hawley. Students will also re-enact historical characters, such as King, Maya Angelou and Harriet Tubman.

 

CBU plans move to Western Athletic Conference, NCAA Division I

California Baptist University has accepted an invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference, paving the way for a multi-year transition to NCAA Division I status, CBU and WAC officials announced today.

CBU and WAC officials held a joint news conference and released statements expressing enthusiasm about the move that was approved at the university’s regular Board of Trustees meeting.

“This represents a great step forward for California Baptist University and Lancer Athletics,” said Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president. “We are honored to join the Western Athletic Conference and to advance CBU to NCAA Division I, the pinnacle of intercollegiate athletics. I am confident that moving to D-I as a member of the WAC will further elevate CBU’s reputation for excellence in athletics as well as academics.”

Dr. Horace Mitchell, President of California State University, Bakersfield, and Chairman of the WAC’s Board of Directors congratulated CBU on becoming the newest member of the conference.

“On behalf of my fellow WAC Presidents and Chancellors, I am delighted to welcome California Baptist University as a Western Athletic Conference member institution effective July 1, 2018,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said Ellis made “a compelling case for membership in the WAC” last November at a meeting with the full WAC Board in Denver. The previous month, Mitchell visited CBU along with Utah Valley President Matthew Holland, Grand Canyon President Brian Mueller, and WAC Commissioner Jeff Hurd.

“We were impressed by the university’s academic programs, its commitment to transitioning its athletics program to NCAA Division I and its strong desire to join the WAC,” Mitchell said.

Commissioner Hurd said several factors make California Baptist University a great fit for the WAC.

“Commitment to quality academics and athletics programs along with the extraordinary vision provided by President Ellis are at the top of the list. There is no doubt that CBU will make a smooth transition to Division I and to the WAC,” Hurd said.

CBU currently is a member of the NCAA Division II Pacific West Conference and will remain eligible for all PacWest championships and NCAA D-II postseason play through the 2017-18 season. University officials plan to apply for NCAA D-I membership in June 2018.

Click here to view the announcement.

 

Spring 2017 semester begins at California Baptist University

Spring semester at California Baptist University started Jan. 9 with freshman and transfer students moving into residential facilities and attending orientation activities.

During orientation, students attended activities and presentations such as a “purpose session” that explained CBU’s vision and also an “involvement fair” that helped connect new students to various campus resources. Later, students participated in the traditional Kugel Walk for newly enrolled students. Tradition calls for students to touch the Kugel, a floating granite globe structure that symbolizes the Great Commission, as they begin their educational experience at CBU.

FOCUS groups—short for First-year Orientation & Christian University Success—began Jan. 10 to help acclimate students to campus life. The groups will provide support and connection for students as they begin collegiate life at CBU.

Kathleen Zambrano, a healthcare administration junior transferring to CBU, found orientation helpful. 

“There was a lot of opportunity to get a lot of questions answered,” Zambrano said. “I feel a lot better about knowing where everything is and what each department does.”

Elyanna Aceres, a nursing freshman, was encouraged to hear that CBU faculty is accessible.

“They told us, we’re here to help you,” Aceres said. “You’re not only just a student, we’re here to help you outside of class as well.”

Classes began for the spring 2017 semester on Jan. 11.

 

Spring intramural season tips-off with basketball sign-ups

Sign-ups for intramural men’s and women’s basketball started Jan. 11, tipping-off the spring 2017 intramural sports schedule at California Baptist University.

Tyler Cox, director of recreation programs, anticipates close to 50 teams forming to compete in the several different basketball leagues offered at CBU. Additionally, CBU will also have a co-ed soccer season that starts sign-ups on Feb. 7.

There will also be various day tournaments that are held through the spring semester for sports such as whiffle ball and kickball.

CBU students are very competitive in intramural sports, Cox said.

“The environment allows students to be competitive but also to form a sense of community,” Cox said. “We hear back from students that they enjoy spending time with friends and doing something different on campus.”

 

Family Updates

Dr. Berniece Bruinius Alspach, assistant professor of English, presented a paper at the Modernist Studies Association 18 conference in Pasadena on Nov. 17-20. It was titled Blending Modernism, Postmodernism, and Neomodernism Through the Lens of “The Remains of the Day” and “Crooner” by Kazuo Ishiguro. She also participated in a workshop titled Teaching Modernism, which discussed her course on Transatlantic Modernism.

 

 

 

Amanda Snodgrass, an aviation flight major, successfully completed her FAA dispatch practical exam on Dec. 8. Amanda is the first CBU student to have earned her FAA dispatch certificate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provider, the food services contractor for California Baptist University, held its annual Holiday Cookie Competition in December. Seventeen students submitted recipes. The Alumni Dining Commons bakers chose four recipes to make and serve during a lunch to students, who then voted. The winner was Rebecca Lam with her Eggnog Snickerdoodles. Finalists were Disha Gandhi’s Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookie; Kaylee Foraker’s White Chocolate Peppermint Pudding Cookie; and Shelby McDonald’s Andes Mint Cookie.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Sanggon Nam, associate professor of public health, had a paper published in Geriatrics & Gerontology International (December 2016).  The paper was titled Lower body function as a predictor of mortality over 13 years of follow up: Findings from Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly. He also presented a poster at the annual conference of the Society for Social Work and Research in New Orleans on Jan. 11-15. The title was Neighborhood Characteristics, Size of Social Network and Social Cohesion, and Self-Reported Health Among Hispanics Aged 75 and over.

 

 

The Love of God, (Crossway) edited by Dr. Chris Morgan, dean of the School of Christian Ministries, was named one of the 10 best books in biblical studies for 2016 by Biblical Foundations, a website dedicated to helping restore biblical foundations for the family, the church and society.

 

 

 

 

Enrico Rojo, 29, a CBU aviation science student who died Dec. 19, was buried Jan. 6 at the Houston National Cemetery. Rojo, a Marine, was struck by a car and killed as he tried to assist a motorist who had crashed her vehicle on Interstate 10 in Loma Linda. His fiancé, Michelle Medina, is also a CBU aviation science student. There will be a Marine Corps Memorial Service in Twentynine Palms on Jan. 22.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, associate professor of public relations for Online and Professional Studies, participated in a book club for high school students at Grand Terrace High School on Dec. 7. The Colton Joint Unified School District Superintendent Jerry Almendaraz’s book club discussed the book “I am Malala” by Christina Lamb and Malala Yousafzai. Pearson is also a member of the superintendent’s community cabinet.

 

 

 

Dr. Daniel Prather, professor of aviation science, facilitated the University Aviation Association Policy Seminar with 38 collegiate aviation students from across the nation on Jan. 3-6 in Washington, D.C.  Students met with industry professionals at the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, Government Accountability Office, National Business Aviation Association and other industry associations.

 

 

Krista Wagner, adjunct professor of English, had a novel, indigo, published last month. The book is a Young Adult realistic issue-driven novel dealing with teen bullying, consequences of sin and renewal of faith.

 

 

 

Dr. Riste Simnjanovski, dean of faculty development, Dr. Dominick Sturz, associate professor of public health, and Richard Ardito, assistant professor of accounting, all for Online and Professional Studies, gave a presentation at the Clute Institute International Conference on Education in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Jan. 2-5. The title of the presentation was Personalized Weekly Overviews: A Comparison of Text and Video Notifications Measuring Student Engagement, Achievement and Misunderstanding in an Online Classroom.

 

 

Dr. Derek Updegraff, assistant professor of English and creative writing, had a short story, At the Dog Park, published in the University of Montana’s literary journal CutBank. The story was runner-up in the Big Sky, Small Prose Flash Contest. At the Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association Conference in Pasadena on Nov. 11, Updegraff read from The Butcher’s Tale and Other Stories and participated in a panel discussion on the form of the short story. Also at the conference, he arranged and chaired a session on Old English language and literature. On Dec. 1, he gave the Fall 2016 Faculty Colloquium presentation at CBU. It was titled Syntax, Rhythm, and the Poetic Line: A Poetry Reading and Craft Talk.

 

 

Dr. Nicole MacDonald, professor of athletic training, co-wrote an article that was published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (December). The article was titled The effects of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization on lower extremity muscle performance: A randomized controlled trial.

 

 

 

 

Victoria Brodie, visiting professor of public relations, was elected as the president of the Public Relations Society of America Inland Empire (PRSAIE) chapter for the 2017 calendar year. PRSAIE is the largest communications group in the Inland Empire focusing on the professional development of public relations professionals.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Heather Hamilton-Stilwell, assistant professor of journalism, made a presentation at the Religious Communication Association in Philadelphia on Nov. 9. It was titled The Construction of Young Adults’ Religious Rights Understandings: Information Sources’ Civic Voice and Influence. She also made presentations and chaired a panel at the National Communication Association in Philadelphia on Nov. 10-13. The presentations were: C.S. Lewis’ Spiritual Truths through the Art of Identification and Indirect Communication; Great Ideas For Teaching: A Culture Scavenger Hunt; Using Photos to Realize How Cultural Meanings Have Developed and Changed Over Time; and Social Influence Explorations of Familial and Media Messages on Parental Decisions to Vaccinate (co-authored with Dr. Sandra Romo, assistant professor of communication for Online and Professional Studies). The panel was Feminist Hacking, Fandom, Gaming, and Social Media Competitive Papers.

 

 

Carmela Russell, administrative secretary for academic advising, was named employee of the month for January. The nomination form included the following statements: “Carmela is customer-oriented and consistently looks for opportunities to serve. She reflects the grace, kindness and joy that God has extended to her. She maintains the highest level of professionalism in her dealings with all members of the academic community. Carmela performs all her duties with little, if any, direction, and quietly assumes a whole host of responsibilities that ultimately result in better service delivery.”

 

 

 

 

David E. Isaacs, assistant professor of English, published a chapter titled Will Smith and the White Imaginary in Science Fiction Cinema in the ebook The London Film and Media Reader 4: Visions of Identity – Global Film & Media (December 2016).

 

 

 

Morgan Cox, sales floor manager for the Campus Store, and her husband, Joel (’16), welcomed a son on Sept. 30. Logan Michael Cox weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 21 inches long. His older sister is Kennedi, 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rachael Solis, administrative assistant for Conferences and Events, and her husband, Cesar, welcomed their second son on Dec. 28. Benjamin Paul Solis weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 20 inches long. His older brother is Obadiah, 1.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates