December 18, 2017

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CBU concludes commencement ceremonies at Events Center

Fall commencement at California Baptist University wrapped up two days of celebration as the Fall Class of 2017 held the first commencement ceremonies at the Events Center. Students received recognition in front of cheering friends and family members on Dec. 14 and Dec. 15.

An estimated 8,000 individuals attended the three ceremonies at CBU.

This fall 806 students were eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies—a significant number considering the total enrollment was 808 students in 1994, the year Dr. Ronald L. Ellis became president of the university.

In his commencement address, Ellis noted that the ceremonies in the Events Center were an example of the many components CBU has assembled over the years that benefit students.

“During the past year, a number of important building blocks have been put in place or further reinforced to enhance the CBU experience for the members of this year’s graduating class and for those who will follow in the years, even generations to come,” Ellis said in his commencement address. “A prime example of campus development is this wonderful new Events Center. Since its opening this fall, the center has hosted student orientation activities, banquets and chapel services. It is the new home of Lancer men’s and women’s basketball. And thanks to this venue, for the first time in years, commencement ceremonies are proudly back at home on the CBU campus.”

During the ceremonies, Ellis commended the students and their families for their commitment to education. In that spirit of pursuing academic excellence, Ellis separately honored Assembly Member Jose Medina and state Sen. Richard Roth with “Champion of Students” awards.

Ellis said that their yearlong advocacy on behalf of students to continue funding Cal Grants was a significant commitment to higher education.

“By fully funding financial aid, you help keep the promise alive for California students and help the state meet its workforce development needs,” Ellis said when presenting the awards.

Ellis reviewed a number of achievements at CBU during the past year including growth in academic programs, athletics and other areas. He also cited significant campus improvements, such as an engineering building currently under construction and more projects now being planned.

“Soon, work is scheduled to begin in Lancer Plaza to expand the athletic training center and build CBU’s first multi-level parking structure. The five-level car park is designed to accommodate more than 1,450 vehicles and scheduled to come online in the fall of 2019,” Ellis said. “The project is part of a multi-stage development plan for Lancer Plaza that also features a new main entrance into the campus from Adams Street.”

Drawing a parallel from CBU’s strategic growth model, Ellis encouraged students to use their educational experience as a foundation for continuing personal growth.

“May your CBU experience and your CBU degree serve as rock-solid building blocks in a strong foundation for your future goals and dreams.  And May the Lord continue to bless!” Ellis said.

 

CBU fall graduates encouraged to pursue their purpose in life

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of California Baptist University, encouraged fall commencement candidates to “lean into this new beginning with genuine Lancer zeal.”

“May you live your purpose with passion and with the same determination that has guided you to this joyful day of celebration,” Ellis said. “May your CBU experience and your CBU degree serve as rock-solid building blocks in a strong foundation for your future goals and dreams.”

Ellis delivered the fall commencement address—the first ever held in the Events Center—to a packed arena where more than 260 Online and Professional Students participated in the ceremony on Dec. 14. CBU held two additional commencement ceremonies on Dec. 15 for traditional undergraduate and graduate students.

The 9:30 a.m. ceremony on Dec. 15 also featured the first doctoral students graduating from CBU. Three students received the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

Ellis said the graduates’ hard work at CBU was an important part of developing in life.

“Graduates, your experiences at CBU have given you an important foundation and helped to equip you to figure out where you will go from here—personally, professionally and perhaps most important, vocationally,” Ellis said. “In addition to excellent academics, the spiritual focus at CBU has been an important part of your preparation, whatever future activities you intend to pursue.”

Ellis encouraged students to stay in touch as they forge new experiences.

“Wherever you are, we want you to keep us posted on your progress. The CBU experience was designed to help all of you become Biblically Rooted, Academically Prepared, Globally Minded and Equipped to Serve,” Ellis said. “So as you step into the future beyond CBU, be sure you let us know where and how you are continuing to ‘live your purpose.’”

More than 800 students were eligible to participate in the 2017 fall commencement ceremonies at CBU.

 

Student returns from abroad to attend OPS commencement

Jenna Johns eagerly greeted her family and friends after the Online and Professional Studies (OPS) commencement ceremony at California Baptist University on Dec. 14. Amid the radiant smiles and warm embraces, Johns sighed, took a deep breath and rubbed her eyes a bit.

It was mid-afternoon in Riverside, but back home she would still be in bed.

Johns, a newly minted Master of Counseling Psychology graduate, is a resident of London, England. But she is no stranger to CBU. Johns lived in Southern California during her undergraduate years, completing a Bachelor of Psychology degree through OPS in 2012.

After her first CBU commencement, Johns met Teo, an English national. The two married and moved to his native London. Her family jokes with her that she even picked up a British accent along the way.

Despite having moved thousands of miles from Riverside, Johns said she wanted to continue her educational journey at CBU.

“They tailor the programs online to the working adult,” Johns said. “The educational experience is amazing. I enjoy how each class is opened in prayer and how they incorporate biblical principles into the coursework.

“The instructors are down to earth and I have earned so much from them,” Johns added.  “I’ve also made many friends through the program. It was nice to get to see many of them at commencement.

Johns currently works as a therapist in London. With her new degree, she hopes to move toward a marriage and family therapist role. For the moment, however, she enjoyed being back on familiar turf.

“It was nice to have the ceremony on campus this time in the beautiful Events Center in front of so many supportive people at CBU,” Johns said.

 

CBU Master’s hooding ceremonies celebrate achievements

Hundreds of master’s degree candidates at California Baptist University celebrated their academic achievements at hooding ceremonies the week of Dec. 11 leading up to commencement ceremonies on Dec. 14-15.

Colleges and schools conduct individual hooding ceremonies to recognize their candidates and also give students their distinctive colored hoods to wear at the commencement ceremony. The ceremonies also provide the students’ families an opportunity to meet faculty and staff.

Nearly 300 master’s degree candidates are eligible to participate in CBU’s three fall commencement ceremonies at the Events Center. The largest group of master’s candidates comes from the Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education with 42 candidates. The Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business has the second-largest group with 32 candidates. Additionally, through its various programs, the Online and Professional Studies had 141 master’s students who applied for graduation this fall.

At the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences hooding ceremony held Dec. 13, Dr. Nathan Lewis, professor of psychology, encouraged students to pursue Godly wisdom to aid with their academic training.

“You gained theoretical and practical knowledge that lays the foundation and framework for a competent professional practice—always value that,” Lewis said. “Pursue more knowledge and more importantly, pursue Godly wisdom.”

 

Distinguished students ring in CBU commencement tradition

As more than 800 students of California Baptist University prepared to walk during the three fall commencement ceremonies on Dec. 14 and 15, they heard the ringing of the bell, which was carried out by several notable Lancers.

CBU tradition calls for the ringing of the bell to kick-off each commencement. Each toll represents one decade of the university’s existence. The bell rang six times at each commencement to commemorate more than six decades of academic excellence. CBU was established in 1950.

Graduates from among the highest-ranking students were chosen for the honor this fall.

Megan Nichols, graduating with a master’s degree in education with a specialization in early childhood studies, rang the bell at the Online and Professional Studies ceremony on Dec. 14. Dayanara Ramos, who received a bachelor’s degree in accounting, rang the bell at the Dec. 15 morning ceremony and Stephanie Davis, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in health science and a concentration in pre-physician assistant, rang the bell at the Dec. 15 afternoon ceremony.

Nichols said she was elated to be involved in the prestigious tradition of ringing the bell at CBU. Nichols, who has a current 4.0 GPA said she desires to start a career in the field of early childhood education after graduation.

“Through my time at CBU, I have gained valuable information about the development of children which has shaped my career goals,” Nichols said. “Spiritually, CBU has allowed me to grow in my relationship with God. I feel blessed to have been taught by brilliant men and women who have a passion for God and learning.”

Ramos, who currently maintains a 3.96 GPA, has a job as a tax accountant waiting for her after graduation.

“I have been able to meet lifelong friends [at CBU] that encourage me in my faith and pray for me,” Ramos said. “My journey at CBU has been the biggest blessing. I am so grateful for all that I have learned and the people I have met during my time at CBU.”

Davis, who has a current 3.98 GPA, is currently serving in an internship role at St. Joseph Hospital of Orange. Davis will continue her educational endeavors in the physician assistant studies program at CBU after she earns her undergraduate degree.

“CBU has prepared me for the future,” Davis said. “My professors have been great mentors. They have really guided me and laid out a path for me to follow to my chosen profession as a physician assistant.”

 

Students pause studies for finals to enjoy a late-night breakfast

Students took a short break from finals preparation to enjoy a traditional late-night breakfast served by California Baptist University faculty and staff on Dec. 11.

The breakfast, served from 9-11 p.m., gives faculty and staff an opportunity to encourage and serve students during finals week. Students were offered a hot spread of eggs, French toast, bacon, Tater Tots and Krispy Kreme doughnuts at the Alumni Dining Commons.

Madelyn Bradley, an exercise science freshman, came out for the food and community.

“The food gives me energy, and energy equals brain power,” Bradley said.

Sage Zbinden, a graphic designs freshman, said he appreciated the evening.

“I really enjoyed the faculty and staff serving us and putting our needs first,” Zbinden said.

Dr. David Pearson, dean of the College of Health Science, enjoys taking part in the tradition at CBU.

“This event gives me a great opportunity to spend time with students who I normally wouldn’t get to interact with,” Pearson said. “As a dean, it’s really cool to surprise students by doing things like serving them or picking up trash. I love seeing their smiles.”

 

Engineering students display their “Robots’ Talent”

Engineering students put their robots’ unique flair on display Dec. 5 during a “Robots’ Got Talent” event hosted by the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering at California Baptist University. The annual event featured the top eight teams in a semester-long competition to construct robots designed to perform specific functions.

Teams of undergraduate students enrolled in Introduction to Engineering courses (EGR 101) used design kits consisting of LEGO pieces, controllable motors and sensors to construct robots from scratch. The aim was to satisfy the twofold criteria of creativity and functionality, said Dr. Matthew Rickard, professor and chair of bioengineering at CBU.

“The purpose of the project is for engineering students to gain exposure to group projects, in a very free format, and to gain technical abilities in a multi-disciplinary competition that touches on a wide variety of disciplines such as conventional engineering, construction and software,” Rickard said.

Members of the winning team—Alisa Kidwell, Nathan Botello, Shaun Cary and Ashley Bretado—designed and programmed their robot to play the xylophone.

Other teams in the competition presented robots that performed tasks such as moving objects, opening soda cans and drawing, as well as a jukebox robot that played programmed songs with a synchronized color show.

“Each year we are pleasantly surprised by the creativity and technical demonstrations from our EGR 101 teams,” Rickard said.

 

Student musicians herald the Christmas season in chapel

Sounds of Christmas filled chapel at California Baptist University on Dec. 5 as musicians from the Collinsworth School of Music performed a mix of seasonal music.

As students arrived for the traditional School of Music chapel, the Jazz Band, conducted by Dr. Guy Holliday, kicked the gleeful gathering off by performing songs such as “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

Throughout chapel, musicians brought joy and cheer to the occasion. The Symphony Orchestra played “Christmas Festival” and “Trepak” (Russian Dance) from “The Nutcracker Suite.” The Wind Ensemble performed the musical score for “The Night Before Christmas,” while Dr. Joseph Bolin, dean of the School of Music, narrated.

Afterward, the University Choir and Orchestra performed “Sing We Now of Christmas,” “The Bells” and “Let Us Be.”

Holliday said this time of year people can have personal struggles for various reasons, but Christians have a hope beyond circumstances.

“We are encouraged by the fact that we know the living Savior,” Holliday said. “We have a job to do—to share the light of Jesus that is inside of us.”

The audience was invited to sing along to “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “The First Noel.”

John Montgomery, dean of Spiritual Life at CBU, read the Christmas story from Matthew and Luke and encouraged students to consider ways to make Jesus the center of the Christmas season.

The musicians concluded with “Little Drummer Boy,” accompanied by CBU’s new Drumline.

 

CBU volunteers to serve in 25 countries on 34 teams in 2018

Hundreds of eager students at California Baptist University filled Magnolia Church pews in Riverside on Nov. 30 for Team Reveal – a time when the Office of Spiritual Life reveals which volunteer teams the students will serve on.

“Our training is not in focusing to get you overseas, our training and focus is to get you ready for something that needs to be happening here and now,” Jeff Lewis, director of mobilization, told the students. “It is not about what we are doing this summer, but what we are doing for the rest of our lives and live in the context of the rest of our lives in the calling of Christ upon us.”

This upcoming summer will mark the 22nd year of global outreach by students, staff and faculty members at CBU. In 2018, nearly 300 students and team leaders will comprise 34 engagement and immersion teams for International Service Projects (ISP). Engagement teams will serve an average of three weeks, and the immersion groups will serve five to 10 weeks. Students will depart for 25 countries to offer various forms of service.

The theme for 2018 ISP is “Advance,” with the theme scripture passage from Philippians 1:12-13.

Lewis said when deciding on the theme, he felt led to a continual need to emphasize the gospel in service.

“We used a verse that relates to the advancement of the gospel,” Lewis explained. “We can focus on gospel development and the idea that as a follower of Christ, we’re to be strategic participants in the advancement of the gospel.”

For Jeremy Duket, a sociology sophomore, the 2018 ISP trip will be his first. He was motivated to participate in an ISP by a discipleship class that inspired him to pursue mission trips, Duket recalled.

Elyse DeFoe, a graduate assistant in Spiritual Life, will lead a team to Southeast Asia. DeFoe, who has served previously on ISP teams to Southeast Asia and Africa, enjoys the transformational experience the trips offer.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the students grow and see them encounter other cultures and to have their eyes opened, to see them be burdened with a heart for the nations,” DeFoe said.

 

Art students create sculpture for Riverside’s Festival of Lights

Twelve students, enrolled in Advanced Art (Art 300) at California Baptist University, worked diligently this fall semester to turn a sketch art concept into a sculpture just in time for Riverside’s annual Festival of Lights.

The sculpture, titled “The Ship,” is a collection of symmetric cones that weave and extend to the sky with Christmas lights adorning its journey. The teal color represents the cool water that the ship will face on its voyage. The sculpture now resides outside the Riverside Art Museum, located on the corner of Lime Street and Mission Inn Boulevard in downtown Riverside, where it is scheduled to remain into March 2018.

Each participating student sketched an idea for the art project and the class then narrowed it down to one, said Kristi Lippire, associate professor of visual arts at CBU. The students then had to decide what materials to use to create a sculpture within an assigned budget.

“They had to make design choices together as a team, make alterations as they progressed, learn how to be flexible and deal with change,” Lippire said. “There’s a lot of problem-solving on the way, and they had to brainstorm together and come to agreement.”

The students settled on wire mesh covered with paper mache to create their art sculpture.

Michaela VanSant, a visual arts junior, said she enjoyed the planning and discovery phase of the project.

“It’s not just making what we want. It’s understanding what does the public want,” VanSant said. “How can we embody the spirit of this event in our sculpture while still keeping our ideas and our vision?”

The project gave the students valuable real-world experience, Lippire said.

“It’s important to do community outreach, to get ourselves out of the classroom as much as possible, and think about what people will want to see as they walk around the city,” Lippire said.

 

Family Updates

John Pate, assistant professor of communication, was a finalist in the 2017 Beverly Hills International Book Awards. His novel, Tears Of Gaduhav, was in the Historical Fiction category. The novel recounts the tales of what happened to the Confederate gold and the people involved in that great mystery surrounding it, during and after the Civil War.

 

 

Dr. Jinxiang Xi, associate professor of bioengineering, was co-author of Snoring Sounds Provide Insight for Obstructive Airway Disorders. The paper was presented at the American Physical Society’s Division of Fluid Dynamics conference Nov. 19-21 in Denver. It was also one of eight selected from 3,000 presentations to be a press release by the division.

 

 

 

Moses Sun, adjunct professor of guitar, has released a Christmas CD. Glory and Peace is a mix of rock, orchestral and acoustic styles.

 

 

 

Dr. Derek Updegraff, associate professor of English and creative writing, published three articles in The Encyclopedia of Medieval Literature in Britain (Wiley-Blackwell, 2017): The Gifts of Men, The Fortunes of Men and The Rhyming Poem. He also published four short stories in the fall 2017 issues of the following literary journals: North Dakota Quarterly, Raleigh Review, Yemassee and Storm Cellar. He was a finalist for the 2017 Force Majeure Flash Fiction Prize and a finalist for the 2017 Iron Horse Literary Review single-author chapbook prize at Texas Tech University. His collection of short stories, The Bull from Kelp Forest, was a finalist for the 2017 Sunshot Prose Book Prize and a semi-finalist for the 2017 Elixir Press Book Award for fiction. Updegraff also took part of a creative writing panel and chaired a session on Old English literature at the Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association Conference Nov. 10-12 in Honolulu.

 

Dr. Namhee Kim, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders, and students Miguel Garcia-Salas, Jessica Wegrzyn and Melissa Gonzalez had research presented at Southern California Conferences for Undergraduate Research Annual Conference at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona on Nov. 18. The posters were titled The Relationship of Parent-Child Conversational Turns and Child Vocalizations in English and Spanish Speaking Families and Caregivers’ perceptions on client needs in the United States and in South Korea.

 

 

 

Dr. Dominick Sturz, associate professor of public health for Online and Professional Studies, was recognized Oct. 29 for his work on the executive planning committee for the Binational Health Week (BHW) and Binational Health Fair in San Bernardino. BHW seeks to improve the health of wellness of underserved Latino populations living in the U.S. and Canada and has evolved into one of the largest collaborative health mobilization efforts in the Americas.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Gary Steward, adjunct professor of history for Online and Professional Studies, presented a paper at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society Nov. 16 in Providence, Rhode Island. The paper was titled Jonathan Edwards’s Reception and Alteration of Sola Fide.

 

 

 

Dr. Carol A. Minton-Ryan, professor of sociology, presented research at the 2017 Linguistics Association for the Southern African Development Community Universities conference Sept. 14-15 in Zomba, Malawi. She conducted the research with graduate student Jackson Brown, Mary Sorola (‘10), adjunct professor of ASL for Online and Professional Studies, and Dr. Pamela Perez (‘08). The presentation was titled A Lexicostatistical Study: Phonological Similarity between American and Malawi Sign Languages.

 

 

Dr. Robert LaChausse, associate professor of public health sciences, presented a paper at the American Evaluation Conference on Nov. 9 in Washington, D.C. The paper was titled How to Measure Implementation Fidelity to Understand Prevention Program Impacts.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jeffrey Gage, professor of nursing, co-authored a paper that was published in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (December, 2017). The paper was titled The psychological salience of religiosity and spirituality among Christian young people in New Zealand: A mixed-methods study.

 

 

 

Dr. Shawn Wilhite, assistant professor of Christian studies for Online and Professional Studies, presented To Which of the Angels did God Ever Say?’: Filial Language and the Angelic Polemic in Hebrews 1–2 at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting Nov. 18-21 in Boston and at the Evangelical Theological Society Annual Meeting Nov. 15-17 in Rhode Island. He also presented a writing seminar titled The Process of Writing a Dissertation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary on Dec. 1 in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

 

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences assisted Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Services hold a harvest festival on Nov. 18 for residents of Casa Blanca, a neighborhood in Riverside. Jennifer Costello, assistant professor of social work, and Kenya Robins, Jaylee Trumbo, Esteban Sanchez, Megan Banks and Darshell Bryant, all Master of Social Work students, helped Magnolia Church serve tamales. Dr. Krystal Hays, assistant professor of social work, Dr. Charles Lee-Johnson, assistant professor of social work, and Costello, and the students also helped run games and provided information to residents about programming offered at Casa Blanca Home.

 

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and the Master of Social Work (MSW) program distributed more than 100 coats to children Dec. 5-6 at the Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Services in Riverside. Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Jennifer Costello, assistant professor of social work, Dr. Krystal Hays, assistant professor of social work, and Jan Stanfield, assistant professor of social work, along with Kenya Robins, Jaylee Trumbo and Esteban Sanchez, MSW students, helped hand out the coats.

 

Students from the College of Engineering participated in outreach events, promoting the program and STEM—science, technology, engineering and math. Clairemargaret Pamintuan, Teo Harlan and John Haggerty gave a Nao robot presentation to students at Highgrove Elementary School on Nov. 29. Pamintuan and Julianna Zoccola also presented the engineering program and a Nao demonstration at Terrace Hill Middle School to approximately 250 students on Nov. 30.

 

 

Dr. Thomas Schneider, assistant professor English for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association Conference on Nov. 11 in Honolulu. The title was Introducing Beowulf to the General Reader.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Todd Bates, professor of philosophy, presented a paper at the Evangelical Philosophical Society’s annual meeting Nov. 15-17 in Providence, Rhode Island. The title was Calvin and Plato on Human Finitude and Pleonexia.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Pennee Robertson, assistant professor of nursing, presented a poster at the American Association of Colleges Nursing conference Nov. 15-16 in Atlanta. It was titled Leadership development for simulation lab accreditation.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Vance Nichols, adjunct professor of education, co-presented at the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Professional Development Forum on Nov. 20-21 in Anaheim. The presentation was titled From Surviving to Thriving: Developing Strategic School Actions to Grow and Thrive in the Midst of Cultural Change. Nichols recently completed a three-year term as commissioner and chair of the ACSI Southern California Regional Accreditation Commission.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Greg Cochran, associate professor of applied theology, presented the introductory message for the 2017 California Southern Baptist Convention Pastor’s Conference on Oct. 23 in Riverside. The title was Contend for the Faith. He also presented a paper at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society Nov. 15-17 in Providence, Rhode Island. The paper was titled Persecution and Ecclesiology in Biblical Context.

 

 

 

Dr. Joel Bigley, assistant professor of business, Dr. Andrea Scott, dean of the School of Business, and 26 MBA students visited three cities in China—Shanghai, Beijing and Xi’an—Nov. 6-17. The students were from the Global Management (Business 545) classes taught by Bigley and Dr. Tad Hove, adjunct professor of management. The group visited cultural sites including the Terracotta Army and the Great Wall. The group also took tours and heard lectures at various businesses, including Microsoft, the American Chamber of Commerce (business advocates), Haworth (office furniture), JLL (real-estate management) and Mazars (finance auditing).

 

Elizabeth Brandt Flater, collection development librarian, and her husband, Drew, welcomed their daughter on Sept. 7. Louise Antonia Flater weighed 7 pounds, 3.5 ounces and measured 20 inches long.

 

 

 

 

Shauntel Woods (’11), call center admissions specialist for Online and Professional Studies, and Christopher Mcfarquhar were married Nov. 18 at the Indian Hills Golf Club in Riverside.

 

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates