May 21, 2021

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

SAE club revving up for Formula competition

When the driver of the Formula car made a pitstop, students from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) club circled around. Some changed the tires, a couple worked on the brakes and others were checking the electronics.

On this track day in April, the California Baptist University students were testing tires and checking the decibels at certain RPMs among other assessments. Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside gave the team permission to use part of its parking lot for its track days. The students were preparing for the Formula SAE International Competition set for Las Vegas in June.

“We usually are never this far ahead in our design,” said Katie Mast (’21). “Typically, we are testing after we are done with school for the semester.”

Previous years, the team would scramble to complete the car in time to test it before the competition. The rules only require a new chassis for every competition, but the majority of the car is rebuilt in order to further improve the car’s performance and reliability, Mast said.

When the pandemic shut everything down in March 2020, the car was about 65 percent complete, Mast said. Last fall, the students were able to go back to the shop in the Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building and complete it. The team was aiming for about 25 hours of testing this year, which is more than double than what they normally have, Mast said.

“This was a 2-year car, which was a benefit to us to have that extra time,” Mast said. “Next year, the goal is to condense the design schedule in order to maximize our build time and testing time. The goal every year is to get more testing time to improve reliability.”

Mast had no experience with cars when she joined the Society of Automotive Engineers student club as a freshman. By her senior year she was the club president and the design lead on the driver controls. She is now working at SpaceX.

“My involvement on the team was a highlight of my time at CBU, and I would encourage anyone interested to get involved,” Mast said. “From all disciplines of engineering to business and graphic design majors, SAE provides a platform to gain real-world experience and reinforce the lessons that we are all taught in classes.”

The SAE competition includes presentations on cost and design as well as dynamic events such as acceleration and autocross. The presentations have been held virtually the past few months.

When Mast joined the club, it had about 10 committed students, she said. Now there are about 30, and the club has different positions and structure to transfer knowledge, Mast said. Each subsystem, such as ergonomics, power train and electronics, has a senior design lead, a junior lead who will take over the next year and younger students as interns.

Jordan Fabbrini, a mechanical engineering senior, is the incoming president and the senior design lead for powertrain. The club has taught him about problem-solving.

“I’ve learned technical, hands-on skills along with project management, team structure, staying scheduled and keeping people accountable,” Fabbrini said. “I think that’s been the biggest thing, learning how other people work and trying to get a group of people to work toward a common goal.”

Josh Bigley (’21) is one of the drivers.

“Being a young college kid, I was thinking I’m just going to go as fast as I can. But you have to find that balance, it’s about slowly increasing speed,” Bigley said. “It’s a really strong car, our best one yet. For racing, there are no creature comforts, but it’s fun. It drives really well.”

He is also the senior design lead for the electronics.

“There is a lot of cool technology on the car. It’s just trying to get it all to work in time,” Bigley said. “I’ve learned nothing ever goes the way you think it will. I have this big plan in my mind when I plug everything in, and it doesn’t go the way you expect it to, but you can try to get as close as possible. It’s always problem-solving.”

Dr. Philip van Haaster, club advisor and department chair of aerospace, industrial and mechanical engineering, said academic training is critical to developing the theoretical understanding of physical interactions and interdependence. But real-world events require engineers to be practitioners of theory and spontaneous contributors of innovation.

“Anyone involved with Formula SAE will be exposed to both of these demanding situations,” van Haaster said. “They will analyze vehicle dynamics and apply powerful and proven engineering solutions, while reacting to unforeseen track conditions during the competition that may require the team to pivot and re-evaluate solutions in a matter of hours. Intense? Absolutely! Fulfilling? Undoubtedly!”

Lindsay Monroe, a mechanical engineering sophomore, wants to work on roller coasters in the future. She worked as a driver control intern.

“I was really interested in being a part of an opportunity that allowed me to have hands-on experience, especially my freshman year because I knew it would get me ahead,” Monroe said. “SAE is a very real-world application. We also get to learn things we’ll study later in our years so we’re kind of ahead of our class, which is pretty cool.”

 

Dr. Chris Morgan named 2021 CBU Distinguished Scholar

California Baptist University has named Dr. Chris Morgan, dean of the School of Christian Ministries, as Distinguished Scholar for 2021.

Morgan’s project, titled “Christian Theology: The Biblical Story and Our Faith,” earned him the distinction awarded annually by the CBU Board of Trustees.

“‘Christian Theology: The Biblical Story and Our Faith’ is a textbook for theology courses. It shows how the major doctrines of the Christian faith flow from the biblical storyline of creation, fall, redemption and new creation,” Morgan said in his proposal.

The textbook has a companion dictionary, “A Concise Dictionary of Theological Terms,” that defines the key terms at the end of each chapter in the textbook. Its entries range from “Abrahamic covenant” to “Zwinglian view of Lord’s Supper.”

Morgan, who is also a pastor, has taught courses in theology for 22 years. He has authored or edited 25 books and co-edited the “Systematic Theology Study Bible” and a church history study Bible.

The textbook is being recognized as a standard textbook in many universities and seminaries, including many in Africa, Morgan said. The textbooks are used in classrooms, churches and denominational groups. The volumes also assist university faculty and staff in understanding theology to integrate faith and learning.

“They show how the doctrines and their order flow from the biblical storyline of creation, fall, redemption and new creation. They frame the doctrines in light of the biblical story, biblical exegesis and biblical theology,” Morgan said. “They relate the doctrines to our identity, mission and God’s glory. Finally, they incorporate voices from church history and the global church, highlighting that we study theology in community with the whole people of God.”

 

Dr. Trevor Gillum earns 2021 Distinguished Professor award 

California Baptist University has named Dr. Trevor Gillum, professor of kinesiology, as the Distinguished Professor for 2021.

The CBU Board of Trustees each year selects a professor who has established an impressive record of service to receive the award.

“Dr. Gillum’s demonstrated talent in scholarship surely guides and inspires his teaching, and the record of student achievement and satisfaction he has influenced is commendable,” said Dr. David Pearson, dean of the College of Health Science.

Since his master’s thesis was published in 2006, Dr. Gillum has been lead or contributing author on 28 peer-reviewed publications, 23 peer­reviewed presentations, and many other academic and professional projects. He has led numerous student projects that have been accepted for presentation and/or publication.

Additionally, Gillum has excelled in professional service, which has included reviewing student abstracts, reviewing grant applications and serving on the American College of Sports Medicine national committee.

Gillum has been and continues to be one of CBU’s finest academic scholars and has made substantial contributions in his field of exercise physiology, Pearson said. Given his credentials and accomplishments related to research, Gillum was recently selected by the provost to chair the search for a dean of research at CBU.

Gillum’s professional accomplishments have established him as a wonderful example and mentor to the younger faculty in the Department of Kinesiology as well as the many graduate students who aspire to make their mark in research and teaching, Pearson said.

“The comments from students on Dr. Gillum’s course evaluations are remarkably consistent over his 10 years at CBU,” Pearson said. “Most comments spelled out Dr. Gillum’s ability to make hard content feel attainable and bring comfort to students when they come to him seeking help.”

Gillum has served the CBU campus as a member of the Institutional Review Board as well as on three kinesiology faculty searches. Additionally, he serves outside of CBU, teaching Sunday school at Orangecrest Community Church in Riverside.

Gillum is “a faculty member who displays the indispensable professional characteristics and selfless approach required to be one of the very best at CBU,” Pearson said. 

 

Shayda Hernandez honored as 2021 CBU Employee of the Year 

Shayda Hernandez, a financial aid technician at California Baptist University, has been named Employee of the Year for 2021.

Hernandez was nominated by her supervisor and named CBU Employee of the Month for November 2020. She then was chosen as Employee of the Year by CBU’s Executive Council, which selects the Employee of the Year recipient from among staff members chosen as Employee of the Month during that academic year.

The 2021 Employee of the Year honor recognizes the professional service Hernandez, who started working at CBU in February 2019, provides in Financial Aid.

According to the nomination form, Hernandez strives to understand why something is done, rather than just understanding the process. This allows her to have a foundation on what is happening and to help create more efficient processes. Since her promotion to technician in early 2020, she reviewed and completed over 4,250 FAFSA verifications, which is a record in a single year.

 

Architecture student places in top 10 in design competition

An architecture student from California Baptist University is among the winners of a competition held by the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment.

Andriani Sugianto, an architecture graduate student, was named one of winners in the 2021 AIA COTE Top Ten for Students Competition. The competition is open to students at any program that is a member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. This year, it received 800 submissions.

Of those 800, the competition recognized 10 projects that integrated creative and innovative design strategies. The competition challenged students to provide design solutions that protect and enhance the environment.

Sugianto placed for her Fairmount School of Art and Ecology entry.

“I am ecstatic about this accomplishment,” Sugianto said. “As I have grown over the years as an architecture student, I have sought to dedicate everything I do for the glory of God and to include Him in my creative process. The more I allow God to be a part of my architectural journey, the more He has blessed me. I certainly could not accomplish anything without His guidance, creativity and strength.”

Her entry is an elementary school that features an artfully scientific design and enhanced learning environments while maintaining high sustainability standards, Sugianto said. The project includes an understanding of ecology, water usage, energy consumption and user well-being. For example, the school uses timber instead of concrete and steel construction, which reduces carbon emissions.

Sugianto said sustainability is a crucial consideration for architecture.

“Sustainability is vital to protect the environment and preserve human flourishing,” Sugianto said. “This establishes an exceptional level of responsibility for the architect to take care of Earth. At the root of it, sustainability stands essential because God desires humanity to nurture His creation and foster healthy lives.”

Caleb Walder, associate professor of architecture, said winning the competition is one of the highest levels of recognition a student of architecture can receive.

“It places our program among excellent and well-established programs from across the country who are equipping students to be leaders in the design of architecture,” Walder said. “It is a tremendous testament to the way God has blessed the CBU architecture program as it has developed over the past several years. The increased recognition of this win will contribute to the positive momentum in the program as it continues to develop.”

Sugianto is excited about the opportunities that may arise from the competition for herself and for CBU, she said.

“This accomplishment indicates the quality of the architecture program in CAVAD and their diligence in teaching and mentorship. Professor Walder provided his guidance throughout this entire project and played a profoundly prominent role in my success,” Sugianto said.

 

CBU celebrates 2020 graduates with in-person ceremonies

Carolina Saucedo earned her Master of Arts in Leadership and Organizational Studies from California Baptist University in 2020. On May 10, she took advantage of the opportunity to celebrate in a live commencement, with her two young children watching in the crowd.

“I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to walk across the stage. I wanted my kids to see that so that they understood what all the hard work was for,” Saucedo said.

CBU held commencement ceremonies to give the 2020 graduates an opportunity to walk across the stage. Due to the pandemic, the graduates had been celebrated in December with a virtual commencement. More than 780 graduates took part in the four ceremonies on the Front Lawn on May 7 and 10. This was after four days of ceremonies for the 2021 spring graduates.

In his commencement address, Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, acknowledged the difficulties the graduates faced and their perseverance through a pandemic.

“Even though sacrifices were made, your true character was exemplified, and the relentless pursuit of your educational goals was steadfast. You manifested what it means to Live Your Purpose,” Ellis said. “We congratulate each one of you! The faculty and the entire university family join me in saying we are proud of you and we pray God’s blessings upon you.”

Ellis encouraged the graduates to lean on the lessons learned at CBU in the future.

“May you move forward with the same resolve that has guided you to this joyful day of celebration,” Ellis said. “May your CBU experience and your CBU degree serve as solid building blocks in a sturdy foundation for all your ambitions and dreams.”

Mariah Despyne earned a Master in Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and is working as a human resources administrative assistant.

“Obviously, I know I finished school and I have my degree but being able to walk across the stage and hear my name while wearing the cap and gown really finalizes everything,” Despyne said.

Francesca Vallejo, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, works as a mental health counselor at a psychiatric hospital. She said she had to overcome obstacles and trials along the way to getting her degree, so she was grateful for the chance to walk.

“The classes that I took intertwined with the Christian faith and the professors were outstanding. They helped me every step of the way,” Vallejo said. “It gave me not only experience but the tools I needed to be successful, do my job properly and serve the community the way that they should be served. I feel like I am serving my purpose.”

During the ceremonies, CBU recognized the efforts of several students who achieved excellence in their academic accomplishments. Lauren Oliver received the Outstanding Online and Professional Studies Student of 2020 Award. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. Henry David Leon Du, a student from Guatemala, received the Min Sung Kim International Student Award. This award is presented each year to a CBU international student who has made outstanding contributions to the CBU community. Du earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Michaela Marie Miller was the recipient of the 2020 Outstanding Senior Award. Miller graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a 4.0 GPA.

Additionally, Ellis presented honorary degrees to the family a faculty member who passed away earlier this year. The family of Daniel Robinson, assistant professor of education, received a Doctor of Humane Letters.

 

Students win President’s Award for Excellence in Writing

Laura Farley, a graduate student in education at California Baptist University, is the winner of the 2021 President’s Award for Excellence in Writing.

Farley’s research paper, titled “Establishing an Understanding in Contrastive Rhetoric: Why Is It Important?,” looks at cross-cultural communication.

“This piece begins with a story that draws the reader in and helps make clear why the topic matters — because people and their learning matter. The work is thorough, interesting, informative and also personal,” Dr. Amy Stumpf, professor of society and religion and member of the selection committee, wrote of the paper. “Any teacher could benefit from this project because it offers a thought-provoking theory that is applicable in classroom situations, and it highlights the best of what it means to be a global citizen ready to serve neighbors well.”

Farley received a certificate and a check for $600.

Chandler Broadbent, a doctoral student in clinical psychology, was awarded first runner-up for her paper, “Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy: A Brief Theoretical Overview.” The essay explores a method of caring for mental health including how the Christian faith can be a part of it. Broadbent received a certificate and a check for $360.

Anna Compton, an early childhood studies junior, received second runner-up for her paper, “The Special Project.” Her paper highlights the struggle and blessings of those with special needs and the families and friends who care for and learn from them. The paper also advocates for a scriptural perspective. Compton received a certificate and a check for $240.

A six-member faculty selection committee used a formal voting process to choose the winning entries.

 

CBU concludes 2021 spring commencement ceremonies

California Baptist University wrapped up four days of celebration this week for spring 2021 commencement ceremonies held on the Front Lawn. Graduates received cheers in front of friends and family members at eight ceremonies May 3-6.

Combined applications for graduation for spring 2021 commencement ceremonies included four candidates for doctoral degrees, 624 for master’s degrees and 1,169 for bachelor’s degrees for a total of 1,797 applicants.

In his commencement address, Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, said the ceremonies were an opportunity to celebrate the students’ hard work.

“It would be difficult to argue the fact that we are celebrating an exceptional group of graduates –– not only for California Baptist University, but for all time. For more than a year, the very definition of ‘normal’ has been reshaped and redefined repeatedly as you adapted in real time,” Ellis said.

Ellis said the graduates were well prepared to make the most of their CBU experience in their next step in life.

“Graduates of this institution are challenged to become individuals whose skills, integrity and sense of purpose glorify God and distinguish them in the workplace and in the world,” Ellis said. “Those we honor today were uniquely challenged during these times. But all have met that challenge by continuing to develop their knowledge and skills with integrity.”

Madeline Kozelchik earned a Bachelor of Arts in Photography.

“CBU definitely helped me to fulfill my purpose by connecting me to likeminded individuals who will help me, as I will help them, to fulfill our dreams and the purposes that God gave us,” Kozelchik said.

Cheyenne Schoenfelder earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

“CBU got me in the mindset of doing God’s work,” Schoenfelder said. “I grew up in a Christian home, but faith was reiterated with all the classes. I feel like I’m better prepared to serve other people. As a nurse that’s really important.”

Nina Schlesinger, who earned a Master of Social Work, will work for the Office of Refugee Resettlement, working with unaccompanied minors. Previously, she had earned her Master of Arts in Counseling Ministry from CBU. The programs provided her to have a global perspective, she said.

“It prepared me to be the hands and feet of Jesus,” Schlesinger said. “I’m able to work with the vulnerable and oppressed populations at the micro level but also the macro level. We’re ready to go out there and help in every way that we can to work with marginalized populations.”

During the ceremonies, CBU recognized the efforts of several students that achieved excellence in their academic accomplishments.

Ane Olaeta, an international student from Gernika, Spain, received the Min Sung Kim International Student Award that is presented to an international student who has made outstanding contributions to the CBU community. Zackary Kessler of Chino, California, was the recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Senior Award. Kessler earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a 4.0 GPA. Amy Payne, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies graduate within the Division of Online and Professional Studies, earned the division’s Student of the Year recognition. Payne graduated with a 4.0 GPA.

Additionally, Ellis presented honorary degrees for two faculty who had passed away during the spring semester. The family of Richard “Rick” Muchow, an instructor of music, received a Doctor of Music degree. The family of Dr. Carla Thornton, assistant professor of social work, received the Doctor of Humane Letters.

 

Family Updates

Dr. Robert Pate, associate professor of psychology, gave a sermon at The Mission church in Redlands on May 2. It was titled It’s Okay Not to Be Okay: Mental Health and the Church.

 

 

 

 

The Lancer Media Group received several Evangelical Press Association Awards. The Banner newspaper received two Awards of Excellence for digital and print. Pursuit magazine earned four Higher Goal Awards.

 

 

 

Christopher Kern, assistant professor of photography, served as a professional reviewer for the American Society of Media Photographers NY Commercial Portfolio Reviews on April 27.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Mark Kling, associate professor of criminal justice, and Dr. Linda-Marie Sundstrom, associate professor of public administration, both for Online and Professional Studies, had an article published in the PA Times on April 15. It was titled Police, Sentencing and Prisons: Maximizing Impacts of Criminal Justice Reform.

 

 

 

Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, co-wrote a paper that was published in the Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment (May 2021). It was titled The Best Intentions: An Examination of Current Practices in Short-Term International Service Trips Intended to Benefit Vulnerable Children and Youth.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Dennis K. Bideshi, professor of biology, was elected to serve on the Animal DNA Viruses and Retroviruses Subcommittee – Ascoviridae Study Group section of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. The group provides updates on the basic biology, nomenclature and classification of a novel group of large double-stranded DNA viruses.

 

 

 

Andrew Cress, director of special projects in the Office of Educational Effectiveness, co-presented at the 2021 WASC Senior College and University Commission Accreditation Resource Community Conference on April 30. The presentation was titled Using Data for Advocacy.

 

 

 

Jessica Alzen, adjunct professor for Online and Professional Studies, was the lead author on a paper published in Innovative Higher Education (April 27). The title is Academic Coaching and its Relationship to Student Performance, Retention, and Credit Completion.

 

 

 

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, professor of communication, presented at the PRSA national APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) boot camp for certification candidates on April 28. The event is an intensive course to help candidates prepare for the APR examination. The title of her presentation was Ethics and Public Relations.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Erin Smith, associate professor of psychology, was selected to serve as a science advisor for Portland Seminary as part of the Science in Seminaries project run by the Dialogue on Science, Faith, and Ethics, a program of American Association for the Advancement of Science. The appointment runs through October 2022.

 

 

 

Dr. Chris McHorney, professor of political science, and Dr. Chase Porter, assistant professor of political science, helped create the Stratus index, which aims to help the global church accomplish the Great Commission by knowing where to allocate its resources. They worked with Radical, started by David Platt to help equip the church to bring the Gospel to the nations. To create the index, McHorney and Porter compiled and documented over 220 indicators from 39 sources, such as the Joshua Project and the World Bank. Additionally, the two presented at the 2021 Western Political Science Association Annual Meeting on April 1. The presentation was titled Religions, Denominations, and Social Capital.

 

Two architecture graduate students Celeste Batz and Ian Kirkpatrick won Best of Show in the national 2021 Design Village Competition hosted by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Additionally, Joshua Greene (’19) won first place in the student category of the 2020 Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, Northern California Chapter, Julia Morgan Awards.

 

Dr. Ian Clary, adjunct professor of Christian Studies for Online and Professional Studies, had a chapter published in a book, Understanding Andrew Fuller: Life, Thought, and Legacies (May 2021). His chapter is titled “The centre of Christianity — the doctrine of the cross”: Andrew Fuller as a Reformed Theologian.

 

Dr. Elizabeth Rebozo, adjunct professor of music, successfully completed her DMA Recording Project on April 19. She earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from Claremont Graduate University. Her DMA recording project was titled Frederic Chopin: The Recording Project.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Julie Goodman-Bowling, associate professor of anthropology, completed a training module and workbook with Meghan Lacey (’20) titled Cultural Anthropology: Core Concepts for Trail Missions Missionaries in Zambia. Lacey will use the training course this summer to help train long and short-term missionaries serving with Trail Missions, a Christian missionary organization aimed at reaching rural communities in Zambia, Africa.

 

 

 

Dr. H Bruce Stokes, professor of anthropology and behavioral sciences, co-taught a four-week course for the Messianic Jewish Theological Institute during May 2021. The course was titled Chavurot and House Churches as Household Spirituality. It addressed the historical use of household gatherings and small house churches as providers of spiritual formation and maintenance in Judaism and Christianity.

 

 

 

Philip Breitenbucher, assistant professor of social work, presented a session at the North American Association of Christian Social Workers –California chapter conference on April 24. The session was titled Treating Families and Infants Affected by Prenatal Substance Exposure: A story of hope and resilience.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ash Melika, professor of archaeology and anthropology, had a chapter published in the book An Excellent Fortress for His Armies, a Refuge for the People: Egyptological, Archaeological, and Biblical Studies in Honor of James K. Hoffmeier (2020). The chapter is titled The Founding of the Temple in Ancient Egypt: Ritual and Symbolism. Melika also earned a Master of Theology in Old Testament from Gateway Seminary this month.

 

 

 

The communication sciences and disorders undergraduate student club, NSSLHA CBU Chapter, was awarded Gold chapter honors by the national Speech Language Hearing Association for its involvement and contribution to the community.

 

 

Kathy Jenkins, student accounts assistant, and her husband, Bob, welcomed their fourth grandchild on April 20. Avery Ann Zajac weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 21¾ inches. Her parents are Kevin & Katy Zajac (nee Robinson ‘12).

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Riste Simnjanovski, associate professor of public administration for Online and Professional Studies, and his wife, Dr. Lauren Gutenberg, welcomed a daughter on March 30. Elle Elise weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 18.5 inches. She joins brother Uriah, 23 months.

 

 

Personnel Updates