October 18, 2018

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

Lecturer advocates Christians to participate in civil discourse

When people cannot conduct discourse courteously in a public setting, it is not just tragic but actually dangerous for society, Dr. Rick Langer told a California Baptist University audience on Oct. 16.

Langer spoke as part of the Leadership Seminar Series hosted by the Dr. Paul & Annie Kienel Leadership Institute at CBU. Langer is a professor of biblical and theological studies and the director of the Office for the Integration of Faith and Learning at Biola University. He is also one of the authors of the book “Winsome Persuasion,” which won the Christianity Today 2018 Book of the Year Award of Merit for Apologetics and Evangelism.

Langer said he co-authored the book, which was released in June 2017, with a sense of urgency. Langer said there is a need for Christians to understand how to communicate when there are deep differences on social issues.

“Christians can be considered counter-public, meaning that Christians may not share the prevailing views of the public,” Langer said.

Langer argues that through modern communication theories along with biblical principles, Christians can offer engagement that is meaningful and respectful.

Langer presented several examples of individuals and organizations advocating for peaceful dialogue. He highlighted the nonprofit group Better Angels that aims to reduce political polarization in the U.S.

Langer noted he is scheduled later in the month to moderate a discussion on political dialogue for Better Angels at the University of Southern California for individuals who identify as political conservatives or liberals.

“Honestly, I hear the words of Jesus say, ‘Blessed be the peacemaker.’ I just want to be a peacemaker,” Langer said. “My goal [in a conversation] is to plant a few seeds about what we can do to make things a little bit better in the times and places and situations.”

 

Dockery suggests re-envisioning Southern Baptists’ future

The future will bring new opportunities of partnership and collaboration for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), Dr. David Dockery told a California Baptist University audience on Oct. 16.

Dockery, president of Trinity International University, spoke as part of the School of Christian Ministries Lecture Series. Dockery is also an author and editor of more than 35 books and has served as chair for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

“The Southern Baptist Convention stands at a pivotal moment in need of re-envisioning the days ahead,” Dockery said. “A new spirit of trust, mutual respect and humility will be needed to serve together.”

Dockery mentioned several areas he envisioned Southern Baptists developing in the future.

“We must be an international people,” Dockery said. “Southern Baptists must come to grips with where they find themselves in a global world and must serve the global church in a new way, becoming more connected and involved internationally than ever before.”

Interagency collaboration is also needed, he said. Southern Baptists cannot continue to duplicate ministry on the association, state and national levels, Dockery added.

Interconnection also will be necessary, he continued.

“Finding ways for Southern Baptists to hold hands with other believers who are committed to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment will be essential,” Dockery said.

Further, Dockery said, Southern Baptists will need to become intercultural. The denomination must be intentional in how it thinks about engaging the culture in an intercultural and multiethnic way. This will involve finding ways for men and women to maximize their gifts for service in the churches and SBC entities, he added.

Southern Baptists also must stress their commitment to become an interracial convention, Dockery continued.

“There are 10,000 churches whose membership primarily consists of ethnic minorities across Southern Baptist,” Dockery said. “This progress is to be celebrated. But more work will be needed throughout the life of the entire convention.”

Finally, it is essential that Southern Baptists be intergenerational, he said.

“There will be a need to respect differences in style, priorities, emphases represented among the multiple generations that now make up life in the SBC,” Dockery said. Those in the denomination must continue to develop in these matters, he said.

“Southern Baptists need to trust God to bring fresh a fresh wind of his spirit, to bring renewal to confessional convictions and to revitalize the churches while relating to one another in love and humility,” Dockery said.

 

SAE club at CBU revving up on the racetrack

Tyler Carlisle had one sentiment pop into mind when he finished a test run for his team’s race vehicle: fast!

“The car is really fast and thrilling to drive,” said Carlisle, a student member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) club at California Baptist University. “Having the opportunity to experience how the car feels and how it reacted to certain driver inputs has given me vital knowledge in improvements that can be made in the future.”

Students from SAE club at CBU took to the Adams Motorsports Park in Riverside over the weekend to conduct trial runs. The team continues to prepare for the SAE International race competition that will be held in June 2019.

Prior to the trial runs, the team worked to ensure the vehicle was up to par by changing tires, tightening bolts and lug nuts and ensuring appropriate gas levels were met. They also attached GoPro cameras, which will help the drivers evaluate their and the car’s performance. These practices add valuable insights as the team moves forward with its design for a new car they are creating for the national competition this year.

The purpose of the trial run was to make sure everything on the car was functioning correctly and that all the drivers are adjusted to the vehicle, said Spencer Judy, mechanical engineering senior.

The Lancer team is scheduled to compete in the SoCal Shootout at the Adams Motorsports Park on Oct. 20. Several SAE teams from Southern California that competed in the previous SAE national competition will participate in the event.

Judy said the upcoming race will allow the team to pinpoint design elements to develop on.

“The more hours we put on the car, the more we know we need to improve on,” Judy said.

During the upcoming event, team members who oversee various design components for the vehicle also will have an opportunity to present to judges their concepts and work.

Katie Mast, a mechanical engineering junior, is the lead on the ergonomics design that includes the vehicle’s brakes, pedals and steering.

“All the leads will be tested on how well they know last year’s car and how well they know their own subsystem. They will gain experience presenting their knowledge to the judges while also learning what the judges are expecting from them,” Mast said.

 

“Lost in Yonkers” opens 2018-19 theatre season at CBU

The theatre arts program at California Baptist University brings comedy to the Wallace Theatre with “Lost in Yonkers,” which opens the 2018-19 season.

The Pulitzer-winning play by Neil Simon follows two teenage brothers in Yonkers, New York, set in 1942. After the death of the boys’ mother, their father decides to go on the road as a traveling salesman. He sends his sons to live with their stern grandmother, an adult aunt who is mentally unstable, and an uncle, a small-time hoodlum.

The story is a coming-of-age tale about the boys surviving their “crazy family,” said Frank Mihelich, assistant professor of theatre and the play’s director.

“There is a lot of heart and a lot of thought-provoking stuff going on in this play in the midst of all of the laughing,” Mihelich said. “The big theme is how family molds us and affects us.”

Isaiah Torres, a theatre freshman who plays one of the sons, said the production reminded him of the importance of family.

“I really hope the audience connects with the characters and the story,” Torres said. “Not only should the audience expect to laugh but prepare to cry.”

Emily Feaster, a theatre senior who plays grandma, said she learned about grief and the various paths people take to cope through her character.

“To explore the character of someone who has been through so much trauma and portray the effects of that in someone’s life has been so fascinating and heartbreaking,” Feaster said. “It has caused me to reflect on my own life and circumstances and examine how I handle those situations.”

Alexis Safoyan, public relations senior, said through her character—Aunt Bella—she has learned to get to know people before judging them. Once audience members understand Bella, they realize why she behaves the way that she does, Safoyan added.

“I hope that the audience recognizes that all families are broken but all families should be valued,” Safoyan said.

When: Oct. 18-20 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 20 at 2 p.m.

Where: Wallace Theatre, 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

 

LinkedIn Seminar helps students understand networking site

An estimated 200 students at California Baptist University learned ins-and-outs of LinkedIn, the employment-oriented social networking site, at a seminar hosted by the Career Center on Oct. 10.

Kayla Masters, career counselor, and Lisa Singer, associate director of employer relations, led the seminar. The speakers stressed the key components that go into developing a strong profile such as a professional photo and a concise summary of one’s talents and skills.

Mike Bishop, senior director of the Career Center, said that using LinkedIn effectively could be an important part of a job search. He encouraged students to recognize what professionalism means online.

The seminar also featured a Q&A session followed by an opportunity for students to have a photographer take professional headshots for their LinkedIn profiles.

 

Office of Student Success marks National Tutoring Week

The Office of Student Success at California Baptist University treated its tutors to a breakfast in honor of their contributions to the CBU community. The office coordinated the acknowledgement in conjunction with National Tutoring Week (Oct. 1-5).

This week is centered on appreciating tutors for dedicating their time to help students achieve their academic goals, said Michael Osadchuk, coordinator of the Office of Student Success at CBU.

Student Success has more than 70 tutors available for students. All the tutors are themselves students who have passed the classes they tutor in with a B+ or higher.

“A big part of being a tutor is the ability to communicate conceptualized information, and the majority of tutors at CBU come highly recommended by the professors,” Osadchuk said. “I really want students to see our office and tutoring as a way to get them to their academic goals and not just to keep them out of the depths of failure.”

Student Success offers students a variety of services including one-on-one tutoring, study groups, exam proctoring, academic success workshops and academic guidance. Students can call the office to schedule an appointment or walk in to see if a tutor is available.

Katelyn Hancock, a kinesiology freshman, said since she began using the tutoring services, her English grades have gone up.

“They provide a wide range of subjects you can ask tutoring in. They are very knowledgeable and helpful,” Hancock said. “Having someone there to critique is very helpful.”

Marissa Gonzalez, a health science freshman, uses tutoring services to help with her science courses.

“Since I have been coming in here, I’ve been doing better on my quizzes, so it’s been really helpful. I feel like a lot of students don’t know about [the services offered] or don’t know where to start, and I suggest they come in because it helps,” Gonzalez said.

Alondra Cano, a Student Success tutor, said she believes tutoring can help students become more self-assured in their abilities.

“It is a confidence boost and they come away feeling they can do this if they set their minds to it,” Cano said.

 

Taste the Nations event at CBU celebrates cultural diversity

The varied aromas of many cultures permeated Harden Square at California Baptist University on Oct. 2 as students sampled a variety of international foods during “Taste the Nations,” a popular fall campus tradition.

Leslie Shelton, director of International Student Services, said the event is designed to introduce students to unique national cuisines.

“Something we want to do for our campus is to create cultural awareness. We are a globally minded university and a lot of people get to go overseas, but we also want people to know that there is a lot of culture represented here on campus,” Shelton said.

Hundreds of students lined up at different food and drink booths to try options such as stroopwafel (waffle cookie) from the Netherlands, navrattan (vegetables and nuts) from India, maamoul biscuits (pastry) from Lebanon, and curried crickets from Asia.

Angelique Rougeau, a sociology freshman, tried a chocolate malt drink filled with vitamins called Milo, a popular drink in the Oceania region.

“There are different cultures we get to experience and different things we can try that nobody has tried before,” Rougeau said. “It broadens our horizons in different ways.”

Josiah Paul, a pre-nursing sophomore, tried several sweets. He was interested in learning about the preparation that went into each treat.

“I learned that in Europe sweet is not sugary like in the U.S.,” Paul added.

Shalom Wanyonyi, a freshman nursing student from Kenya, volunteered at the West Africa booth. She enjoyed seeing how the event brought people together.

“I felt like people were visiting my country and it just reminded me of home,” Wanyonyi said.

 

Students document event for Keep Riverside Clean & Beautiful

Members of the Environmental Science Club at California Baptist University helped document activities associated with a project coordinated by Keep Riverside Clean & Beautiful (KRCB) on Sept. 29.

Thirteen CBU students took photos and conducted interviews for the Santa Ana River Watershed Cleanup Beautification Project that will be used in future social media campaigns for KRCB.

“Being on the social media team helped CBU students become connected with the community,” said Dr. Bonjun Koo, professor of environmental science and the Environmental Science Club advisor.

Through the process, students learned how the environment is important to others, Koo added.

The Environmental Science Club at CBU has a history of volunteering with KRCB. In 2016, KRCB initially requested help from CBU for its beautification projects, said Koo. Since then students have helped in various ways, including adopting Monroe Street to conduct monthly street cleanups.

Mariah Vertulfo, a global community science sophomore, was tasked with taking photos of the event and interviewing volunteers.

“It was thrilling to hear from passionate people as well as people who joined just for fun,” Vertulfo said. “There were many hard-working individuals that had their own stories, all inspired by the idea of helping the environment with their community.”

Maile Pang, a biology and environmental science junior, said she enjoyed meeting people who are enthusiastic about cleaning the environment. Pang said she joined the Environmental Science Club at CBU because she wants to help the environment.

“I am passionate about conserving biodiversity and protecting habitats, so this club really allows me to participate in volunteer events like the Santa Ana River cleanup,” Pang said.

The Environmental Science Club aims to connect students who share interests in the natural sciences, outdoor activities and sustainable biodiversity, Koo said.

“The club is committed to connecting students and the community with the common goal of enjoying and caring for God’s Creation through responsible stewardship,” Koo said.

 

CAVAD hosts exhibit that connects the CBU design community

The College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design (CAVAD) at California Baptist University hosted a Faculty and Alumni Exhibition on Sept. 28. The exhibit displayed more than 30 pieces of photography and graphic designs created by CBU instructors and alumni.

The event was held in the CAVAD photography and graphic design studio at Adams Business Park, a half mile south of the main CBU campus.

Christopher Kern, assistant professor of photography, said the exhibit aimed to bring together the CBU photographic and design community and connect students with alumni.

“As CAVAD continues to grow, build new programs and facilities, it’s important to not lose sight of our true resources—our alumni and current students,” Kern explained.  “This exhibit is an opportunity to celebrate God’s gift to create art and continue to work as a faith-based community in a very secular world.”

Jessica Castellano, (’17) a wedding photographer, said she discovered her passion for photography at CBU.

“There were amazing professors that taught valuable business skills you actually need,” Castellano said. “They really prepared you to go out in the real world and do full-time photography and not just as your hobby.”

Hannah Overeem (’17), a landscape photographer, said she enjoyed reviewing the artwork at the exhibit.

“It’s really cool to see other people’s work and to see how much they progressed. It motivated me to want to do better as well,” Overeem said.

The graphic design program at CBU began in 2007 with nearly 20 students. This semester more than 130 graphic design and 45 photography students are enrolled in the related programs.

“The program has grown in both quality of content and reputation,” said Michael Berger, program director for graphic design and photography. “We have built an award-winning reputation in the area and the second largest faith-based design program in the country. Graphic design is in our DNA. We are not a fine art program that leans toward design. We are all working designers in our fields and really love what we do.”

 

Olympic medalist says God needs to be at the heart of work

God can do more through us than we can imagine when we honor Him, Leah O’Brien-Amico told a California Baptist University audience on Sept. 27.

Amico spoke as part of Faith & Enterprise series hosted by Robert K. Jabs School of Business at CBU.

“At the end of the day, you can inspire people all you want, but without Jesus Christ it ends up being meaningless. When He’s at the heart of it, it changes lives forever,” Amico said.

Amico, who grew up in Chino, California, is an inspiration herself. She earned three Olympic Gold Medals as a member of U.S. Softball team in consecutive appearances: 1996, 2000 and 2004. Amico is now a motivational speaker, a softball analyst and an instructor at softball clinics around the country.

Amico recalled her pounding heart as it beat nervously during her first time playing in the Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1996.  She was able to calm her nerves by focusing on all the preparation she had done to get to that point.

“I remember thinking, ‘it’s the same thing you’ve played since you were a little girl. Do the little things. It doesn’t matter the stage,’” Amico said.

When you are in a situation that seem bigger than what you are comfortable with, remember the training and talents that have gotten you there, Amico told the students.

Amico relayed her experience at her first speaking engagement. She managed to address the audience for only 20 minutes out of the 60 she was given. She never wanted to speak again, Amico said. However, a coach encouraged her to view first time experiences as a learning exercise.

“I encourage you to be OK with struggling, or with having a really bad first experience or maybe even a second experience,” Amico told the students. “You’re not going to get better if you never try.”

Amico said she was thankful that God has combined her passions for softball, speaking and sharing His truth throughout the country.

“No matter what we’re doing, no matter what business we’re entering, no matter what company you run someday, God wants to be at the heart of it,” Amico said. “When we honor Him, in my experiences, He’s taken me places I never could have gone apart from Him.”

 

Fall 2018 CBU enrollment tops 10,000 for first time

Fall 2018 enrollment at California Baptist University set another record with 10,486 students, an increase of 5.5 percent over the previous year, President Ronald L. Ellis announced today.

The increase numbered 545 more students than the record 9,941 enrollment in 2017, Ellis said. He noted that the 2018 full time equivalent (FTE) enrollment figure of 10,647 is 606 FTE’s or 6.6 percent greater than the 2017 figure.

Ellis announced the latest record enrollment at the regular fall meeting of the CBU Board of Trustees. He told trustees the triple-digit enrollment growth in 2018 follows three years of 600-plus increases (610, 698, 618) one four-digit upsurge (1,113), and four more triple-digit increases (813, 584, 616 and 784).

“Add the current year increase of 545 and over the last nine years CBU enrollment has grown 6,381 on a base of 4,105 in fall 2009—a 155 percent increase in nine years,” Ellis declared.

During its 68-year history, California Baptist University has seen 18 triple-digit or greater year-over-year increases—all of them occurring since fall 1995.

Since Ellis became president in November 1994, CBU enrollment has grown by 9,678 students. This year’s 10,486 enrollment is 12.98 times greater than the 808 students enrolled in 1994.

“Fall 2018 is another record breaking enrollment increase on top of a sustained 24 years of significant increases,” Ellis told the trustees. “It puts CBU ahead of schedule to attain the 12,000 by 2025 goal,” Ellis observed.

Founded in 1950, CBU is a private comprehensive Christian university located in Riverside, Calif. and affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention. CBU is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, and the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities.

 

College of Engineering hosts new career fair

California Baptist University hosted its inaugural Engineering Fair on Sept. 26 in an appropriate location—the new Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building. Nearly 40 companies filled the multipurpose design hall, offering internships and jobs to students and alumni.

The Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering opened its new location at the start of the 2018 fall semester earlier this month. Lisa Singer, associate director of employee relations at CBU, said the fair was a way to celebrate this achievement.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for employers to witness firsthand the growth and innovation as represented in our College of Engineering,” Singer said. “Additionally, having such a strong showing of employers benefits students by offering opportunities that align with their future goals.”

Glenn Walker, a regional human resource manager at Granite Construction, said he has had success hiring CBU students in the past. One of the company’s recent hires, Michael Bravo (‘17) also attended to represent the firm.

“Granite has a very strong core value and students from this school line up well,” said Walker, whose company was recruiting graduates in construction engineering, construction management and civil engineering.  “With values such as integrity, honesty, citizenship and environmental stewardship; the students here fit perfectly [with our values].”

Jewel Esparza, a chemical engineering sophomore, came prepared with her resume in hand.

“I’m looking for internship opportunities for the future,” Esparza said. “Right now I’m a sophomore, but it’s great to network and get myself out there.”

Elle Lowe, a civil engineering sophomore, attended the fair for the experience.

“I wanted to expose myself to different opportunities and see what’s out there,” Lowe said. “I’m learning how to talk professionally to other people and make connections.”

Following the engineering fair, employers and alumni had an opportunity to tour the new building and meet with faculty, staff and attend a mixer in Innovators Auditorium.

 

Family Updates

Dr. Robert LaChausse, associate professor of public health sciences, wrote an opinion-editorial for the Highland Community News on Oct.3. The title was The consequences of our youth on the consequences of alcohol use among teens.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ed Garrett, associate professor for sport, recreation and fitness for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the Association for Applied Sport Psychology annual conference in Toronto, Canada, on Oct. 2-6. The title was Making sport psychology practical in the corporate sector. Garrett also was one of three sport psychology consultants invited to speak on ways to work with collegiate student-athletes and athletic programs.

 

 

 

Dirk Dallas, professor of graphic design and visual experience, taught three drone classes as a CreativeLive instructor to a live audience of more than 10,000 viewers on Oct. 1. Dallas was also commissioned by Universe Publishing to release a drone calendar called Scenes From Above 2019, featuring his aerial photography.

 

 

 

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program received full accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health on Sept. 7. The MPH program, which began in 2014, has 74 students enrolled across two concentrations—health education and promotion, and health policy and administration. The accreditation approval extends through Dec. 31, 2023.

 

 

Dr. Jacob Chao-Lun Huang, assistant professor of sociology, presented at the 2018 International Forum on Taichungology: Fusion, Connection and Co-Prosperity at Tung-Hai University in Taichung City, Taiwan, on Oct. 7. The title was The Luce Memorial Chapel and Citizen Identity in Taichung City.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Darla Donaldson, associate professor of finance and social entrepreneurship, presented at the Inland Empire Startup Week in Riverside on Oct. 2. The title was Social Enterprises—A Combination of Profit, People, and Planet within Communities. She also took part in a panel presentation at the Christian Business Faculty Association in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Oct. 5. The title of the presentation was Love: The Redemptive Power of Business.

 

 

 

Dr. Joshua Knabb, associate professor of psychology, had a book published. The title is The Compassion-Based Workbook for Christian Clients: Finding Freedom from Shame and Negative Self-Judgments (Routledge, Sept. 14, 2018).

 

 

 

 

Dr. David A. Hernandez, adjunct professor of public administration for Online and Professional Studies, successfully defended his dissertation for a Doctor in Public Administration from the Online and Professional Studies on Aug. 21. He became a fire battalion chief with the City of Victorville Fire Department on Sept. 10. He will assist in designing the department as it takes over emergency operations from the San Bernardino County on March 30, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, professor of communication, presented at the Public Relations Society of America’s Educators Academy Super Saturday in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 6. The title was Business Literacy for PR Students.

 

 

 

 

Kelly Tinker, administrative support specialist for physician assistant studies, was named employee of the month for October. Her nomination included the following statements: “Kelly communicates with our community affiliates and CBU colleagues with the utmost professionalism. She is direct, compassionate and proactive. Kelly is an excellent ambassador for our program and CBU.”

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jeffrey Gage, professor of nursing, co-authored an article published in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (May 2018). It was titled The psychological salience of religiosity and spirituality among Christian young people in New Zealand: A mixed-methods study.

 

 

 

Dr. Bruce Prins, professor of biology, hosted a lab tour for high school students from Arrowhead Christian Academy Upper School/Redlands Christian Schools on Oct. 1. Dr. Nate Heyman, professor of biology, assisted the students in a hands-on demonstration of the Anatomage table, a virtual library of human cadavers, as well as a clinical diagnostic tool by visualization of medical CT, CBCT or MRI scans.

 

 

Journalism and new media students visited the Riverside Historic Courthouse on Oct. 9 to learn about the courts system and how the news media can cover it. Judge John Vineyard described how civil trials are conducted and how the courthouse was renovated in the 1990s. The class also observed a civil trial in progress.

 

 

Dr. Kristin Mauldin, assistant professor of psychology, and CBU graduate student Keisha Hart presented a poster at the Association for Applied Sport Psychology annual conference in Toronto, Canada, on Oct. 2-6. The title was The Personality and Mindset of the Marathon Maniac.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Andrew Herrity, professor of entrepreneurship and business, presented a paper at the Christian Business Faculty Association Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Oct. 6. It was titled Kainos as Innovation in Business: Developing a Christian Worldview on the Diffusion of Things New. He also served as moderator/discussant at a multi-presentation forum on best practices for teaching business in Christian higher education.

 

 

 

Dr. Linn Carothers, professor of mathematics, received a grant of funded allocation and access to the 16 supercomputer grid of the National Science Foundation-funded Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE). Carothers will do interdisciplinary research with Dr. Jinxiang Xi, associate professor of bioengineering, in which XSEDE will provide resources to simulate, model and predict biomechanical depositions of particles within lungs.

 

 

 

The Veteran Resource Center marked the 243rd birthday of the U.S. Navy on Oct. 15. Traditionally, the oldest and highest ranked person and the youngest in that branch who are on campus cut the cake at a celebration. Dr. Allan Bedashi, professor of physician assistant studies and a retired lieutenant, and Samantha Payne, a pre-nursing sophomore and former petty officer third class, filled the roles.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates