August 29, 2019

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CBU welcomes hundreds of students from around the globe  

Nearly 150 new international students from 38 countries are being welcomed at California Baptist University from Aug. 27-30 during international orientation.

Shellyn Beltran, assistant director of international student services, said the orientation are opportunities to help students with their transition to life at CBU.

“Orientation will cover topics such as culture shock,” Beltran said. “We have them meet with different offices around campus, so they can know what resources are out there.”

Other sessions will cover CBU policies and immigration regulations for students. Students also learn about physical and mental health resources offered at the Recreation Center and the Counseling Center, respectively. Additionally, during orientation, students have social outings, starting with a barbecue dinner and then trips to a minor league baseball game and the beach.

Shail Dave, a kinesiology freshman from India, heard about CBU from friends who had attended the university.

“I am looking forward to focusing on my studies and the cultural events that happen here on campus. I’m eager to join them,” Dave said.

Danprng Gao, a graduate nursing student from China, said she wants to learn more about the U.S. and improve in her field of study.

“I wanted to be able to study here at CBU because it is in the U.S., and it’s an amazing opportunity for me,” Gao said.

Approximately 350 international students will attend CBU this fall. Throughout the year, the Office of International Student Services hosts events such as Taste the Nations, Festival of Colors and the Lunar New Year. These events aim to celebrate the cultural diversities of international students and to connect those students with the greater CBU community. Smaller events also are held, such as a cultural café, where international students prepare food or play a traditional game from a student’s home country.

Leslie Shelton, director of international student services, said the activities are aimed at fulfilling the office’s mission: serve students, share culture and connect people.

“It takes extra effort and extra patience to build those relationships because there is a cultural difference and sometimes there is a language barrier,” Shelton said. “Once you do make friends with an international student, it is really valuable because you get to learn so much and experience so many new things.”

 

Kickoff events welcome new graduate students to CBU

California Baptist University welcomed hundreds of new graduate students at a variety of kickoff events from Aug. 19-20.

“Graduate Student Kickoff is an opportunity for students to learn about the culture and mission of CBU while also learning about the resources available to them,” said Alma Salazar, director of graduate admissions.  “As they launch into their studies, we are excited to celebrate them and offer support from our staff and faculty.”

The kickoff events were program specific and began with a resource fair, allowing students to connect with representatives from various campus offices. The events also included breakout sessions, where students met with their corresponding program directors.

More than 800 new master’s degree students and more than 100 doctoral students are expected to attend CBU this fall through traditional programs and the Division of Online and Professional Studies. In total, more than 2,700 master’s students will be enrolled in more than 45 programs and more than 200 students enrolled in five doctoral programs.

Priscilla Egbe will be working on two degree programs—a Master of Arts in Counseling Ministryand a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology.

“I chose CBU because it is faith based. I think it is important for the field I am entering,” Egbe said.

Justice Comeaux, a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology student, said she was looking forward to connecting with other graduate students.

“I heard that CBU has one of the best forensic psychology programs and I wanted to learn from the best and be around the best,” Comeaux said.

Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, encouraged the students in their new endeavors at one of the kickoff events.

“Your story right now might be full of fear and doubts, hardships, failures, setbacks and certainly the unknown. Or maybe you’re that individual in a place of success and comfort in this season in your life,” Gustafson said. “No matter what your story is you were created for a purpose, and you were created to be courageous in the midst of your story.”

 

CBU celebrates record number of graduates

California Baptist University honored its latest graduates during dual summer commencement ceremonies hosted on Aug. 22.

There were 872 students eligible to participate in summer commencement ceremonies. That number, combined with graduation candidates for the previous fall and spring commencements, totals 2,920 candidates for the Class of 2019, representing CBU’s largest graduating class yet.

CBU also opened its new East Parking Structure for the first time for a commencement crowd. Many attendees arrived through the new main campus entrance off Adams Street and parked within the five-level structure that features two elevator towers and more than 1,450 stalls.

Dr. Thom Rainer, founder and CEO of Church Answers, was the commencement speaker. Rainer encouraged graduates to be “a person with a vision and become a difference maker” for God.

“Jesus tells us the only way to really follow him is not to seek to be served at the throne, but to serve,” Rainer said. “His message is clear. Do you really want to see visions? Do you really want to make a difference? Get to the end of the line. Abandon the entitlement mentality. Don’t worry about getting credit.”

Rainer also challenged the audience to trust in God.

“I do pray, however, you will hear God’s Word more than the address of a (graduation) speaker. I pray you will hear he has given you a life to live to make a difference. I pray you will ask him how you can make a difference with the plan he has clearly given,” Rainer said.

The ceremonies drew an estimated 5,400 spectators.

Krystal Louise, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies degree, was excited that 10 of her family members and friends were able to attend the ceremony.

“I give all the glory to God for this accomplishment,” Louise said. “I believe that my skillset has developed at CBU. I am a better communicator and I also believe that my leadership style has been forged.”

Elizabeth Boehling graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree through the CBU Online and Professional Division. Boehling works for the County of Riverside and choose CBU Online for its flexibility.

“I want to advance in my career field and coming to CBU was a part of my career path,” Boehing said. “The professors were a great help to me and they worked well with my schedule.”

 

Distinguished students ring in commencement ceremonies

More than 870 students at California Baptist University were eligible to participate in two summer commencement ceremonies on Aug. 22. Two graduates chosen from among the highest-ranking students began each ceremony with a CBU tradition—ringing the bell.

Each toll of the bell represents one decade of the university’s existence. The bell will ring six times at each of the ceremonies to commemorate more than six decades of academic excellence. CBU was established in 1950.

Norma Benavidez, who received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, rang the bell at the morning ceremony. Kimberly Gledhill, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, did the honors at the afternoon ceremony.

Benavidez, who graduated with a 3.82 GPA, said she was excited to learn of the recognition.

“It caught me off guard because I would have never imagined that I would have ever had this honor to play this role in such an important day in my life,” Benavidez said.

Balancing family, work and school was both her biggest challenge and success, Benavidez noted.

“For years I procrastinated going back to school, but I proved to myself that I was able to balance life and at the same time show my kids that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to with hard work and dedication,” Benavidez said. “CBU has helped me rethink my career goals now that I have more confidence in what I feel I can achieve.”

Gledhill, who graduated with a 3.97 GPA, plans to return to CBU this fall to start her Master of Social Work program.

“CBU has provided amazing academics and a great community of students and faculty that have grown me in all areas of my life,” Gledhill said.

Gledhill added that CBU broadened her perspective and worldview through providing opportunities to learn more about global cultures through classes, on-campus events and outreach.

“Studying sociology, I was thankful for the diverse population at CBU and opportunities to partake in culturally rich experiences to better understand different perspectives,” Gledhill said.

 

Hooding ceremonies highlight students’ academic success

Hundreds of master’s degree candidates at California Baptist University celebrated their academic achievements at department specific hooding ceremonies during the week leading up to commencement ceremonies on Aug. 22.

At CBU, colleges and schools hold individual hooding ceremonies to recognize their candidates and also give students their distinctive colored hoods to wear at commencement.

Nearly 490 master’s degree candidates were eligible to participate in summer commencement. Additionally, eight students received their doctoral degrees.

The College of Health Science had the largest group of master’s candidates with 93. The Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education had the second largest group with 63 candidates. Additionally, the Online and Professional division had 177 candidates for graduation throughout its various master’s programs.

The College of Nursing held its hooding ceremony Aug. 19 at Magnolia Church in Riverside. Dr. Juliann Perdue, professor of nursing, encouraged graduates to use their training to change lives for the better.

“You can change your patient’s life in a moment, with a touch or using evidence-based practice. You have the tools and you’ve already used them,” Perdue said. “You’ve all been on an incredible journey and you’re just starting a new one, so please believe in yourself and in the Lord.”

Ciara Thomas, who is already working as a nurse, will earn her Master of Science in Nursing degree.

“The faculty have shaped me to be a great, compassionate nurse,” Thomas said. “They taught me how to come alongside my patients and be with them during their time of need.”

 

Family Updates

Amber Andrade, assistant registrar-transcripts & records for Online and Professional Studies, published an article in the College and University journal (August 2019). It was titled TES-ting the Waters of Transfer Technology.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Melissa Wigginton, associate professor of health science, presented during an American Public Health Association webinar on April 11. She spoke on the topic of Physical Activity and Health.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ed Garrett, associate professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, presented at a Naval ROTC program at Coronado, California, on Aug. 1. His topic was Leading the future: Using sport psychology to develop team cohesion and dynamics that impact.

 

 

 

 

Stacy Meyer, adjunct professor of education, trained village preschool teachers and staff in Malawi, Africa, on Aug. 7-21. The training—on best practices in teaching—was the initial kick off to a pilot program called Building Understanding in Literacy Development.

 

 

 

Daniel Rodriguez, simulation technician for the College of Nursing, presented a poster at the SimGhosts USA (The Gathering of Healthcare Simulation Technology Specialists) in Miami, Florida, on July 30-Aug. 2. The title was Integrating Simple Solution with EHR Tutor Charting and Medications in High-Fidelity Simulation. Austin Hulen, technology and data management coordinator for the College of Nursing, also attended the event.

 

 

 

Robyn Glessner, adjunct professor of political science, became a Fellow of the Claremont Center for Engagement with Primary Sources on Aug. 1. She is working on the Council on Library and Information Resources Water Project to preserve and digitize historical documents related to Southern California, Nevada and Arizona water engineering projects including the Hoover Dam. The document series is held at the National Archives and Records Administration at Riverside, where she has completed one year of volunteer service in archival processing.

 

 

Dr. Melissa Croteau, professor of film studies, presented a guest lecture at the Shakespeare Summer School at the University of Verona, Italy, on July 4. The title was called Guns, Rasa, and Roses: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram-Leela (2013) and the “Desi” Romeo and Juliet. She also presented at the European Shakespeare Research Association conference in Rome on July 9. The title of the paper was “Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible / To feeling as to sight?”: Bollywood, Shakespeare, and the Crossing of Emotional and Generic Boundaries in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool and Omkara. Additionally, she was a co-convenor of the seminar Shakespearean Geographies on Screen.

 

 

Dr. Greg Cochran, professor of theology, had a chapter published in the book Distinguishing the Church. The chapter is titled Persecution, Discipline, and Rewards in Ecclesiological Perspective. Additionally, he had an article published with Crossway titled Help! I don’t know how to bring my faith to work.

 

 

 

Kristi Lippire, associate professor of visual art, spent the month of April during her sabbatical as an artist-in-residence at the Center of Creative Industries, Fabrika Projekt in Moscow. It was a research-based residency to live in a Soviet-era paper factory to do in-person research of constructivist artworks and structures. Lippire also visited the Tretyakov gallery of Moscow, the Pushkin Museums, the Garage Museum, the Moscow Museum of Art, Melnikov House and the Zuev Workers Club.

 

 

 

Dr. Mary Crist, professor of education for Online and Professional Studies, was honored for 27 years of service at CBU on Aug. 15. Crist’s academic achievement included serving as dean of the Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education, 2001-2012; receiving the Distinguished Professor of the Year in 2000; and impacting education, early childhood, and special education programs through course design initiatives. Crist will serve as adjunct professor of education for OPS and in a ministry position serving Native American populations.

 

 

Personnel Updates