In this issue…
Current News
CBU awarded best NCAA D-II collegiate sports title
In its last year competing in NCAA Division II, California Baptist University finished atop the Learfield Cup national standing, a first for the university.
Fifteen of the Lancers’ 18 NCAA-sponsored sports qualified for the postseason in 2017-18, with eight advancing to the D-II championships.
“Our entire athletic department is humbled and blessed to be recognized the Learfield Cup champion,” said Dr. Micah Parker, CBU director of Athletics. “We could not have done this without the support of our administration.”
Read full story here.
CBU to offer degrees in biomedical sciences, forensic chemistry
The College of Arts and Sciences at California Baptist University will add two new science degrees starting in the fall of 2018. CBU will offer Bachelor of Science degrees in biomedical sciences and forensic chemistry.
In total, the Division of Natural and Mathematical Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences offers 20 degree options.
Dr. Bruce Prins, department chair of biology at CBU, said the biomedical sciences program will prepare students for careers in biomedical areas while providing students with the pre-requisites needed to get into graduate programs such as medical, dental, veterinary or physician assistant.
The CBU program will emphasize human biology, pathobiology and pharmacology. Additionally, the program is tailored to include students with opportunities to engage in community service and leadership. Also, students will be able to engage in hands-on learning and collaborative research with faculty.
“The department of biological sciences at CBU has a history of placing students into professional programs,” Prins said. “This program, with the help of faculty who work closely with students, should be a great next step in seeing students’ dreams fulfilled.”
The forensic chemistry major will prepare students to be competitive for employment in forensic science-related positions.
The major will be interdisciplinary and include such courses as biological sciences, mathematical sciences, and history and government, said Dr. Tom Ferko, department chair of chemistry and biochemistry and molecular biology at CBU.
“This major will help students get their foot in the door to a work in positions such as in a crime lab,” Ferko said. “Students also will have a strong background in criminal justice for those who want to pursue a law enforcement career or in the sciences if they want to pursue a career as an analytical chemist or other lab scientist.
“The variety of careers that this major can lead into is a definite strength to the program,” Ferko said.
CBU students capture inmates’ stories in Angola
Alexandra Applegate, a public relations senior at California Baptist University, had a keen insight during her service trip to the Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola): there is no limit to God’s redeeming work.
“Seeing how intimates completely turned their lives around from inside prison gave me a whole new meaning to the word ‘freedom.’ These men are spiritually free despite being behind bars,” Applegate said.
In May, a group of students from CBU traveled to Angola to captured stories for Awana Lifeline, a non-profit prison ministry. CBU’s collaboration with Awana Lifeline at Angola is the fourth consecutive year students have spent time volunteering at the largest maximum-security prison in the nation.
Students from the College of Arts and Sciences at CBU worked in teams to capture testimonies of inmates. Additionally, the students documented Awana’s Returning Hearts Celebration on May 19. The event helps unite children with their incarcerated father or mother for a day of games, food, relationship building and Bible teaching.
“This is such a unique opportunity for our program as we serve as the media team for Awana Lifeline’s efforts,” said Dr. Michael Chute, director of the Journalism & New Media and Public Relations Program, who led the team of students. “Our students, faculty and staff did a remarkable job telling the stories of inmates who are serving God inside a maximum-security prison.”
For Applegate, the opportunity to use her skillset in a voluntary setting was a rewarding experience.
“It was incredible to use what I have learned in my journalism classes and working on ‘The Banner’ to serve God,” Applegate said.
Returning Hearts Celebration
Click here to view a video created by a student media team from California Baptist University.
Courtyard Shakespeare Festival returns to the stage
The third annual Courtyard Shakespeare Festival at California Baptist University opens with a performance of “The Tempest” on June 8 followed by “Macbeth” on June 9.
The theatre department at CBU constructed an outdoor theater in Stamps Courtyard to host the repertory performances through June 23.
“There is a joy that comes from sitting outside on a warm summer evening and watching Shakespeare live,” said Lee Lyons, professor of theatre and the festival’s artistic director. “We have learned that there is an audience for this. There is a charm to that courtyard.”
The festival’s rendering of “The Tempest,” takes place in the mid-1800s and focuses on a magician’s endeavors at dabbling with supernatural power. “Macbeth,” will take place in a post-apocalyptic setting. The play unpacks a murder scene and the ensuing paranoia and madness that follow the evil act.
The cast consists of CBU students, CBU alumni and community members.
Two cast members are theatre professionals, Lyons noted.
“Having those actors is a way to elevate the company,” Lyons said. “Now you have actors who have great experience and have worked professionally. Then our [amateur] actors get to integrate with them.”
Patrick Brien, executive director of the Riverside Arts Council, will be directing “Macbeth.” He has performed in previous plays featured at the CBU Courtyard Shakespeare Festival.
“The space is perfect, neatly nestled into the courtyard,” Brien said. “There’s something about performing under the night sky. It’s a shared experience between actors and audience. You can feel it on both sides of the stage.”
The Courtyard Shakespeare Festival at CBU also will include a high school Shakespeare day camp. The camp includes workshops, forums and a presentation to be featured for a Courtyard Shakespeare Festival audience.
Courtyard Shakespeare Festival
“The Tempest”
When: 8:30 p.m. June 16, 20 and 22
“Macbeth”
When: 8:30 p.m. June 15, 17, 21 and 23
Where: Smith Courtyard, California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA, 92504
Tickets or questions? Call the theatre box office at 951-343-4319 or email: mhyde@calbaptist.edu
CBU sending final waves of global service project volunteers
California Baptist University continues to send out teams of volunteers to serve on International Service Projects (ISP). Teams in the third and fourth waves (final groups) will depart from CBU throughout the month of June. Volunteers will head to South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Central Asia, Spain, Germany, Greece, France, Portugal, Eastern Europe, Africa and South America.
This summer, more than 300 volunteers, comprising 38 ISP teams, will serve in 24 different countries. The teams serve in areas such as conducting sports camps, teaching English to university students, providing healthcare and engineering skilled service, and assisting with various children ministries.
Dr. Geneva Oaks, dean of the College of Nursing, is leading a team to South Africa. Her team will be assisting in healthcare roles.
The heart of nursing is being with people who are suffering, she said.
“We get to go and be with people and make a connection,” Oaks said. “These students have the opportunity to share the love of Christ with their hands, hearts and minds.”
This is the second ISP for Sabrina Eggleston, a nursing senior.
“This time I’m looking forward to seeing what healthcare looks like in other countries and helping people,” Eggleston said.
Before departing, teams gather with their families and friends to pray at the Kugel, a granite globe that rotates on a base inscribed with the scripture from Matthew 28:19-20, symbolizing CBU’s commitment to the Great Commission.
Family Updates
Dr. Tim Luther
Dr. Tim Luther, professor of political science, presented a paper at the Oceanic Popular Culture Association Conference in Honolulu on May 25. The paper was titled Hegelian “Geist” in Eastwood Films: “Pale Rider” and “High Plains Drifter.”
Dr. Bob Namvar
Dr. Bob Namvar, professor of economics, presented at the World Business Research conference in Tokyo in April. The title of his presentation was A Better Distribution of Income Improves the US Economy. The economic paper was also published in the Journal of Accounting, Finance and Economics, both online and in the March 2018 edition.
Nickelis Vincent, Dr. Erin Smith and Dr. Kristin Mauldin
Dr. Erin Smith, associate professor of psychology, and Dr. Kristin Mauldin, assistant professor of psychology, and Nickelis Vincent, graduate student, presented a poster at the annual Convention for the Association of Psychological Science in San Francisco May 24-27. The paper was titled Repeated Exposure to Healthy and Unhealthy Images Increases Taste Expectation and Alters Food Evaluation.
Keri Murcray (’01), library assistant, Carolyn Heine, associate librarian, David Marley (’01), director of infrastructure services for Information Technology Services, and several CBU alumni—Kelly Marley (’02), Maribeth Myers (’94) and Melissa Arrieta—participated in the 4th annual Redlands Hunger Walk on June 2.
Dr. Shawn Wilhite
Dr. Shawn Wilhite, assistant professor of Christian studies for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the annual meeting of the North American Patristics Society in Chicago May 24-26. The title of the presentation was “Was It Not the Only Begotten that was Speaking Long Ago”: Cyril of Alexandria’s Christological Exegesis in His Commentary on Hebrews (Heb 1:1–2). Wilhite also had three reviews published: Scripture as Real Presence: Sacramental Exegesis in the Early Church by Hans Boersma in Evangelical Quarterly (July 2018); New Essays on the Apostolic Fathers by Clare K. Rothschild in Journal of Theological Studies (2018); Ancient Education and Early Christianity edited by Matthew Ryan Hauge and Andrew W. Pitts in Bulletin of Biblical Research 27 (2017).
Dr. Bonjun Koo
Dr. Bonjun Koo, professor of environmental science, and Jonah Lay (’18) took part on an environmental science panel for Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful on June 5. Faculty and students from colleges in Riverside discussed each school’s core curriculum, research and environmental awareness as applied to the real world and neighboring communities.
From left: Dr. Susan Jetton and Dr. Terri Thompson
Dr. Terri Thompson, assistant professor of nursing, and Dr. Susan Jetton, associate professor of nursing, presented at the National Innovative Communities Conference in Ontario, California, June 5-6. The title of their presentation was Preconception Health to Improve the Health of Future Generations, Opportunities for Résumé Building, and Community Involvement.
Dr. Joe Way, right, during rAVe Publications podcast.
Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for Information Technology Services, presented at InfoComm 2018 (professional audiovisual trade conference) in Las Vegas on June 6. His presentation was titled Creating a Campus through Classroom Standardization. He also took part on a rAVe Publications podcast, sharing about tech at CBU and trends in higher education.
From left: Jessica Folmer, Rebecca Ruiz, Cassidy Rogers and Dr. Robert LaChausse
Dr. Robert LaChausse, associate professor of public health sciences, Jessica Folmer, research associate for College of Health Science, Rebecca Ruiz, graduate student, and Cassidy Rogers, undergraduate student, presented at the National Innovative Communities Conference in Ontario, California, on June 5. Their presentation was titled The influence of social norms on teen drug use; creating a positive community.
Magnolia Joyce Machado
Marc Machado, head coach for women’s golf, and Reba Machado, adjunct professor of psychology and clinical supervisor at the Counseling Center, welcomed a daughter on May 22. Magnolia Joyce Machado weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 20 inches in length. She joins sister Melody, 2.
Personnel Updates
