In this issue…
Current News
Team wins physician assistants challenge bowl for second year
For a second year in a row, California Baptist University students displayed expertise in their field by winning the California Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA) Student Medical Challenge Bowl on Aug 11. The competition was held during the CAPA summer conference in San Diego.
The physician assistant program at the College of Health Science will graduate its first students in the summer commencement ceremony Aug. 23. The CBU team competed against eight other collegiate programs, besting the University of Southern California and University of California, Davis in the final round.
“A second consecutive win for this state title further demonstrates great preparation, strategy and support,” said Mary Ann Stahovich, assistant professor of physician assistant studies. “As members of the CBU family, we are excited to share this great news with the whole CBU community.”
The winning team consisted of Jillian McCoy, Robin Atkins and Julia Hedger, who all made a commitment to practice for the competition despite being busy with clinical rotations throughout the academic year.
“Forcing myself to practice for CAPA forced me to practice board material too, which was very helpful because I’ll be taking my boards in less than a month,” McCoy said.
The students also studied the format of the competition and strategized how they should respond to questions. Teams scored 10 points for each correct answer and lost 10 points for each incorrect one. In addition, they had to take into account the pressure of the “buzzer system,” which a team could “buzz” in to answer a question before it was even finished being read.
“Winning the CAPA bowl means bringing home bragging rights. Especially because this is our second consecutive win, making us undefeated since our program’s inception,” Hedger said.
School of Music collaboration provides resources for churches
The sounds of the Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Music are now available to thousands of U.S. churches thanks to a partnership with LifeWay Worship.
In January 2018, University Choir and Orchestra recorded 10 new songs and arrangements on campus with LifeWay executives, technicians and producers from Nashville.
The new tracks are part of LifeWay’s Red Box program that ships out a quarterly “box” catalog of new musical arrangements with listening demos to more than 20,000 U.S. churches. In addition to these preview boxes, the music is also distributed online. Last year alone, 90,000 different churches purchased musical resources from LifeWay, said Dr. Joseph Bolin, dean of the School of Music at CBU.
“We in the School of Music are excited to partner with our friends at LifeWay Worship to impact thousands of churches nationwide,” Bolin said. “This year’s new CBU anthem series—featuring 10 new songs written and arranged by CBU’s worship board and faculty, recorded by our students in CBU’s own studios and distributed by LifeWay Worship in Nashville—is the genesis of a vision that utilizes the musical community of CBU to resource the church with fresh, anointed music for effective ministry.”
This past quarter, four of the new music tracks were sent out in the LifeWay box program. CBU had the No. 1 best-selling non-seasonal anthem with “I Am Resolved” and the No. 1 best-selling seasonal anthem nationwide with “A Carol Fantasia.”
Additionally, the music complements the school’s new worship degree program, Bolin said.
School of Music faculty members and the worship degree’s steering and development board wrote the songs produced for the LifeWay project.
The songs represent a broad cross-section of worship styles such as contemporary, virtuosic choir and orchestra anthems, congregational and presentational.
“The unifying factor is that it’s to the glory of God and it’s theologically accurate and done with excellence,” Bolin said. “But it’s meant to express the breadth of everything that we are and do in the School of Music.”
Don Koch, an award-winning record producer and songwriter, served as the producer of the project.
Bolin said working with industry professionals is something he wants students to experience.
“The recording sessions also provided our students the opportunity to work with industry professionals, which is a big hallmark of our vision,” Bolin said. “We want to consistently expose our students to the best in the music industry so they can be prepared to meet the demands of their own musical careers.”
Anthony Baker, a music education junior, said the students had a couple weeks to learn the music, giving them real-life experience.
“It stretches our music ability,” Baker said. “It shows us how professionals work. As a music major, it shows me what my future could be like.”
Bolin said he is grateful to CBU’s administration for the support and the vision to engage in these type of collaborations and expand the impact and influence of the School of Music.
“We’re thrilled to be walking through these substantial doors that the Lord has opened for us,” Bolin said. “The work and mission of CBU is continuing to advance and we’re so privileged to be part of its global impact.”
Lancers cheer squad earns top marks at NCA Collegiate Camp
The cheerleading team at California Baptist University continued its dominance at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) USA Collegiate Camp by earning several top marks including Best All-Around team.
The NCA Collegiate Camp pits cheer teams from across the country and divisions to compete in various categories. Top performers earn a ticket to compete at the national championship in April.
CBU is a seven-time USA Champion and six-time NCA Champion after winning the awards in consecutive years at the NCAA Division II level. This year, the Lancers will transition to D-I.
Read the full story here.
Additionally, for the first time in program history, CBU competed at the National Dance Alliance/United Spirit Association Collegiate Dance Camp — its first chance to compete since the program was created this past spring.
The Lancer teams won multiple awards and earned a Full Paid Bid to USA Collegiate Championships — the only team to get one.
Read the full story here.
Summit aimed at improving veterans’ mental wellness
A Veterans’ Mental Health Wellness Summit held at California Baptist University Aug. 9 attracted more than 400 participants, including veterans and their family members.
The event was organized by the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at CBU and the Veterans Affair Loma Linda Healthcare System. It sought to bring awareness to mental health issues veterans face and present suicide prevention options.
“It is so important for everyone to be involved. We must create a safety net for our veterans and their families,” said Melissa Conrad, interim chief of Mental Health for the Veterans Affairs Loma Linda Healthcare System.
Presenters at the summit included clinicians, veterans, veteran affairs employees and CBU faculty members. Sessions covered topics such as transitioning out of the military, mental health services for veterans, caring for women veterans, post-traumatic stress disorder and early signs of mental illness.
“This event represents a wonderful partnership as we work together to provide the best services and care for our veterans and service members,” said Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at CBU.
Jennifer Costello, assistant professor of social work at CBU, help organize the event. For Costello, the topic hits close to home as her husband is an Army veteran and her son is serving in the U.S. Marines.
The event helps veterans know what resources are available and for families and clinicians to understand how they can help, Costello said.
Ted Peterson (’11) served in the Navy and the Army Reserves. Five years ago, with the intervention of fellow veterans and his wife, Peterson got help for depression. He is now a peer support specialist with the Veterans Affairs Loma Linda Healthcare System, offering support to other veterans.
“This event breaks the stigma. It’s OK to talk about some of these things and not feel like you’re weak or broken,” Peterson said.
CBU students create Formula SAE car from the ground up
Matt Miller, a mechanical engineering senior at California Baptist University, has become a car guy thanks to the Society of Automotive Engineers student club within the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering.
Miller has received hands-on mechanical engineering training while constructing a Formula SAE car the past two years.
“The highlight for me, both last year and again this year, was the build,” Miller said. “Working on the car is fun and challenging, but the relationships and memories that occur during that time are my favorite part.”
SAE student club has worked to construct cars the past two years to race at the national Formula SAE annual competition.
The goal of the SAE club is to give students hands-on experience in engineering design, said Dr. Daniel Clark, assistant professor of aerospace, industrial and mechanical engineering and SAE advisor.
“The purpose is to take things that students learn in the classroom and develop it so they can make that jump to know what would be expected of them in the industry,” Clark said.
In general, the Formula SAE rules require that students design, construct and then race their vehicle. Additionally, there are pages of regulations to follow and deadlines to meet.
Design of the car started in September 2017, followed by the manufacturing in February 2018. The team consisted of 20 active members that worked throughout the year on the project.
“Going from having Excel spreadsheets to a finished car that does exactly what we expected it to, that was cool,” said Andrew Ricci, a recent CBU graduate.
When Katie Mast, a mechanical engineering sophomore joined the SAE club, she admits to being a novice with automobiles, tools and the engineering involved with racing. However, over the course of the year, she gained a better understanding and can now find her way around the auto shop.
“This past year included more of me observing and learning everything that goes into the build,” Mast said. “Next year I am looking forward to fully being able to apply what I learned this year and design my own components to go on the car.”
In June 2018, the team competed against 72 other universities from across the U.S. and five other countries in Lincoln, Nebraska. CBU’s vehicle placed in the middle of the pack with a 44th overall finish in the preliminaries. The team is now analyzing the results and looking to improve on their performance.
Team members want to make the car lighter and more reliable next year. They will consider different materials and plan to test various parts that will be used in the vehicle. They also are eager to construct their car in the Vehicle Dynamics Lab in the new Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building in the coming year.
“I’m looking forward to getting to use the new top-of-the-line machinery especially the welders,” said Spencer Judy, a mechanical engineering junior and president of the SAE club.
Academic center helps faculty integrate faith into curriculum
Faculty members at California Baptist University participate in an exercise at the Seminar on Faith in the Academic Profession. The seminar helps new CBU professors ground their curriculum in a biblical worldview.
Dr. DawnEllen Jacobs, director of new faculty development, wants faculty to know their teaching purpose at California Baptist University.
To assist with this goal, she oversees the Teaching and Learning Center at CBU, which aims to empower educators to use their God-given gifts and talents to develop Kingdom professionals.
“Faith integration is a huge part of what we do, and we also desire them to hone their skills as teaching practitioners in their field,” Jacobs said.
The academic center, located in Lancer Arms, serves full-time faculty in their first year at CBU. The center organizes the Seminar on Faith in the Academic Profession (SOFAP), which is a training program that spans more than 70 hours through the faculty’s first year. The seminar is aimed at helping professors ground their curriculum in a biblical worldview.
Dr. Yeesock Kim, associate professor of civil engineering and construction management, said he learned valuable insights through his time in SOFAP.
“We shared great ideas and techniques on teaching, faith integration and how to love our students,” Kim said. “I believe SOFAP promotes strong support of the CBU’s mission and vision.”
Jacobs said for some professors, learning how one’s faith translates into academia can be a new endeavor.
“We have to acknowledge God’s place in the discussion. That’s what makes California Baptist University a university committed to the Great Commission,” Jacobs said. “We can’t equip Great Commission Christians if they don’t understand how God fits into their academic preparation that will inform their service.”
Mary Ann Stahovich, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, took part in SOFAP in 2016-17.
“One facet of SOFAP that I particularly appreciated was the opportunity to regularly engage in the Christian worldview with other new CBU faculty,” Stahovich said. “Since then, I have been grateful to collaborate with some of these faculty, knowing that they, and others at CBU, could all share the Christian worldview in the classroom.”
Jacobs said the Teaching and Learning Center’s name was chosen for the acronym—TLC.
“The faculty needs TLC, and we need to care for our faculty,” Jacobs said. “This is safe space to nurture them, to help them grow and bring them together in community.”
The center also assists in the development of returning faculty by offering workshops and training in areas of integrated teaching, scholarship activities, assimilating to new technology and learning about innovations in teaching and learning. The center also coordinates learning communities for faculty who want to focus on a topic, book or prayer.
The center seeks to be interdisciplinary in the services and the training it offers, Jacobs said.
“Our God is interdisciplinary by nature. He is equally artistic and scientific, so we should break down those artificial silos of academia and think cross-disciplinarily,” Jacobs said.
CBU aviation science alumnus lands a job as a pilot
Kyle LeVesque (’16), an alumnus from the aviation science program at California Baptist University is spreading his wings this summer, training to become a professional pilot.
LeVesque (’16), a former CBU flight instructor, landed a job with ExpressJet.
LeVesque currently is undergoing training with an Embraer 145 twin jet engine aircraft for ExpressJet, a regional airline carrier. If all goes according to plan, he will transition to a first officer pilot position in September. LeVesque had received a conditional job offer in February 2016. The CBU Aviation science program has several conditional job arrangements with carriers such as ExpressJet.
LeVesque said he attended CBU because he wanted to be a part of a program that was growing.
“A lot of what I learned at CBU—from the industry concepts, the morals and the ethics—along with caring teachers, faculty and staff and fellow students, helped to build a strong foundation,” LeVesque said. “Coming to ExpressJet, I felt I was definitely prepared knowledge-wise above and beyond to make it through successfully.”
Dr. John Marselus, chair of aviation science at CBU, said it is an excellent time to seek a career in the aviation field.
“The demand is great in all aspects of aviation,” Marselus said. “It is the perfect time to begin a career in aviation and CBU has the team to prepare women and men to be professionals wherever the Lord may be leading them.”
Family Updates
Sonya Lopez and Dr. Ronald L. Ellis
Sonya Lopez, assistant director of financial aid, was named employee of the month for August. Her nomination included the following statements: “The conversion to JX (software) by student accounts has resulted in unforeseen issues for student loan processing. Sonya and her team, from time to time, have had to make massive adjustments to individual student records so that the aid for students could be processed timely and correctly. Her tenacity and attention to detail should be commended.”
Dr. Joel Bigley
Dr. Joel Bigley, assistant professor of management, had an article published in Journal of Socialomics (July). The title was Sustainable Strategic Growth through Aligned Diversification.
Dr. Ed Garrett
Dr. Ed Garrett, associate professor for sport, recreation and fitness management for Online and Professional Studies, worked with the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets from Martin Luther King High School (Riverside) in Coronado on July 22-27. He used his sport performance and psychology background to help the cadets gain confidence, establish goals and develop teamwork as they took part in a summer leadership training.
From left: Dr. Jeanette Guignard, Dr. Cammy Purper and Dr. Greg Bowden
Dr. Jeanette Guignard, associate professor of organizational leadership, Dr. Cammy Purper, associate professor of education, and, Dr. Greg Bowden, professor of education, all for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the 2018 Online Teaching Conference in Anaheim on June 19. The title was Metacognitive Journaling in the Online Classroom.
From left: Dr. Dirk Davis, Dr. Jeanette Guignard and Dr. Greg Bowden
Dr. Greg Bowden, professor of education, Dr. Dirk Davis, professor of education, and Dr. Jeanette Guignard, associate professor of organizational leadership, all for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the Association of Leadership Educators Annual Conference in Chicago on July 8–11. They presented a poster, Implementation of a Competency-based Model as the Theoretical Framework for the Redesign of an Online Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, and a paper, Using a Theoretical Framework as Infrastructure to Strengthen and Align Program Outcomes and Assessments of an Online Leadership Program.
Dr. Mary Ann Pearson
Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, professor of communication, participated in the creation of an APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) training video for the Public Relations Society of America. The video is intended to prepare accreditation candidates for the readiness review process.
Dr. Dennis Bideshi
Dr. Dennis K. Bideshi, professor of biology, co-authored a paper that was published in the journal Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek (July). The title was Regulator ThnR and ThnDE ABC transporter proteins confer autoimmunity to thurincin H in Bacillus thuringiensis.
Dr. Rod Foist
Dr. Rod Foist, professor of electrical and computer engineering, presented two papers at the 2018 FYEE (First Year Engineering Experience) conference in Glassboro, N.J., July 24-26. The papers were titled A First-Year Electronics Lab Project: Design of Basic Voltmeter plus Soldering Tutorial and A First-Year Computer Engineering Lab Project: Driving an LCD with an FPGA Embedded Processor. They were co-authored with Dr. Xuping Xu, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and three CBU students: Timothy Gage, Seth Truitt and Matthias Schmidt.
The Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2019 took part in an outreach event at a children’s summer program at the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Community Center in Highland on July 23. The CBU students shared medical simulation models and other hands-on stations including ace bandaging and blood pressure monitoring. Mary Ann Stahovich, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, and Jennifer Holman, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, facilitated the event.
Shawn Wilhite
Dr. Shawn Wilhite, assistant professor of Christian studies for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the International Society of Biblical Literature in Helsinki, Finland, July 30-Aug. 3. The title was You Must Love Those Who Hate You: The Use of Social Identity Theory, the Identity of Persecution, and Social Oppression in the Didache’s Two Ways.
From left: Bryan Curtis, Brody Yardumian, Jennifer Zamora and Brittany Borman
Jennifer Zamora, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, and three physician assistant students—Bryan Curtis, Brody Yardumian and Brittany Borman—provided school physicals at Bethel Christian School in Riverside on Aug. 6. They saw 45 junior high and high school students.
From left: Toby Baker, presenter at Clute conference, and Victoria Brodie
Victoria Brodie, visiting professor of public relations, made a presentation at the International Clute Conference in San Francisco on Aug. 5-9. The title was Thriving Through Empathy in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous World.
Dr. Jeff Cate
Dr. Jeff Cate, professor of New Testament, presented a paper at the International Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature in Helsinki, Finland, on Aug. 1. It was titled Isaiah 40 in the Manuscript Tradition of the Gospels.
From left: Megan Banks, Stephanie Lang, Anika Casillas, Kaylie Stephens, CBU students, and Jennifer Costello, assistant professor of social work
Master of Social Work students who are part of the Love Thy Neighborhood Group assisted with the Veterans’ Mental Health Wellness Summit at CBU on Aug. 9. The students helped attendees find break-out session rooms, walked people to lunch and helped with registration and welcoming guests. The student group seeks ways to serve in the community.
CBU Athletics invites all CBU Faculty/Staff members to one of its upcoming “Select-A-Seat Nights” events at the CBU Events Center. The event is free and will encompass a behind-the-scenes tour of the CBU Events Center, snacks and refreshments, and the opportunity to purchase a season ticket seat for the upcoming season. RSVP today at www.cbulancers.com/selectaseat.
Morgan Faith Vine
Jenelle Vine, regional manager – external relations for Online and Professional Studies, and her husband, Vincent, welcomed a daughter on July 19. Morgan Faith Vine was born two months early and weighed 2 pounds, 4 ounces.
Jocelyn Mae Williams
Melissa Williams, financial aid outreach coordinator, and her husband, Jonathon, welcomed a daughter on May 27. Jocelyn Mae Williams weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 19.5 inches in length.
Personnel Updates
