August 5, 2021

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

Summer camps help young musicians improve skills 

Middle school and high school students spent many hours practicing sight-reading and playing music as they prepared for a concert for family and friends during a Summer Music Camp held at California Baptist University.

CBU’s Young Musicians Program band camp in July was a collaboration with Inland Empire Musical Arts, a nonprofit that offers music classes to youth in the community. This summer, faculty led different weeklong camps for jazz, band, and strings.

Dr. Guy Holliday, associate dean of undergraduate studies and director of bands, led the band camp. He said the week provided students an occasion to grow their musical abilities.

“These camps give students the opportunity to play music together again, which is something many students have gone without since March of 2020,” Holliday said. “For middle and high school students, Summer Music Camp helps students to keep their musical chops up before their school band program starts in the fall.”

During this year’s band camp, the nearly 50 participants were put into one band. They played songs such as “An American Fanfare,” “Blessed Are They” and “The Imperial March.”

“Next year (post COVID), we anticipate having enough students to create two bands—one for middle schoolers and one for high schoolers,” Holliday said.

Steven Lees, an 11^th grader at Hillcrest High School in Riverside, asked his mom to sign him up for the opportunity to play music with other students.

“It’s been a great experience to play with other people instead of just yourself. I learned how to stay on tempo instead of going at my own pace,” Lees said.

Brody Elsey, a seventh grader at Christian Heritage School in Corona, said his favorite song to rehearse was “The Imperial March” from “Star Wars.” He also enjoyed meeting other students.

“I have really liked having the opportunity to make new friends and improve on my music,” Elsey said. “I’ve had so much fun here at CBU.”

Devon Lees, an eighth grader at Villegas Middle School in Riverside, said he was excited to be a part of the camp because he is interested in music.

“The best part has been learning all the notes and sounds and putting it all together to hear what it becomes,” Lees said.

 

MBA+ program offers new virtual synchronous-learning option 

This fall, the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business will offer a new MBA program at California Baptist University.

The program, called MBA+, is a one-year, virtual synchronous-learning option for students who are looking for flexibility and accountability.

MBA+ is a result of the changes made and lessons learned in response to the pandemic, said Dr. Tad Hove, assistant dean for graduate programs in the School of Business.

“As we have now generated an abundance of knowledge and great outcomes in the area of virtual synchronous delivery methods, it seemed foolish to just abandon the assets we have,” Hove said. “In addition, students have inquired as to this modality over the past three semesters.”

The new program is different than typical online MBA programs, which provide asynchronous lectures. MBA+ offers a synchronous model. Students log in at a specified time for a live class session, allowing for group and faculty interaction. Networking with fellow students and faculty in real time is a critical part of the MBA+ experience, Hove said.

“MBA+ is aimed at graduate learners with the desire to have a synchronous delivery and a continued networking atmosphere,” Hove said.

Additionally, the MBA+ will host a five-day, on-campus intensive during both the fall and spring semesters.

“This brings the university, the classroom and the learning experience to the student without the time commitment of the traditional face-to-face programs,” Hove said.

The program curriculum will be current with domestic and global business trends, while instruction will simulate modern, real-world work environments of virtual conferences and meetings, Hove said. Courses for the 36-unit program run Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

For more information on MBA+, click here.

 

CAVAD Academies allow high schoolers to explore careers

High school students used the Business Building at California Baptist University as the backdrop to shoot a short film. In the process, they learned about acting and filming.

The College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design (CAVAD) hosted high school students who received hands-on creative training at the CAVAD Summer Academies during July 12-16. The high schoolers had the opportunity to enroll in architecture or film production.

Keelan Kaiser, program director of architecture, said the week provided an opportunity to acquaint students to architecture as a profession.

“The Summer Academies are opportunities for high school students to learn about architecture as a discipline and career,” Kaiser said. “Many high schools do not have architecture courses since it is such a specialized field, so this provides students and their families with opportunities to learn.”

Michael Eaton, professor of film studies/film production, said students learn about filmmaking from beginning to end.

“Students will benefit from hands-on learning about film production from the start of preproduction to the finished edit as we spend the week making a short film,” Eaton said.

After filming, the students learned how to edit and then screened their film Friday afternoon.

Kayla Madrid, a junior at North High School in Riverside, said going into the experience she could not wait to learn about how to be a better editor and actor.

“I learned how to act in different situations including serious ones. It has been so fun, and I can’t wait to learn about the editing process,” Madrid said midway through the week.

Faith Kelly, a senior who is homeschooled, was surprised to learn that she was a natural at acting and enjoyed the preproduction process.

“I learned that I am not as terrible of an actor as I thought I was,” Kelly said. “I also really enjoyed coming up with the story for our short film and the brainstorming process. It was a lot of fun once we wrote everything down on paper.”

Collin Veil, a senior at Ramona High School in Riverside, has always been interested in pursuing film as a career and was excited to learn as much as he could from the summer camp.

“I have learned how to film a bunch of different shots I never knew I could film and realized it is easier than it seems,” Veil said. “But I also learned there is so much I don’t know. It’s been really fun.”

 

Architecture program featured in magazine’s virtual festival 

Academic work by students in the architecture program at California Baptist University was showcased in the Dezeen Virtual Design Festival on July 2. Ten designs by CBU students were featured in the online architecture and design magazine based in London.

“Being featured doubles as a celebration of great work from our school as well as international visibility,” said Keelan Kaiser, architecture program director in the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design.

The magazine invited academic architecture programs to participate in the festival. Kaiser asked CBU faculty to choose the most creative and distinctive works from their design classes this past academic year. The final 10 designs represent a range of work from first- through fifth-year students in the program.

Many of the designs seek to serve the public good, Kaiser said, citing examples including an urban agriculture development, a healthcare clinic, and spaces for worship.

 

CBU duo earn gold at national advertising competition

A California Baptist University student and an alumna both received gold awards for their work at the American Advertising Federation (AAF) national awards, marking the first time CBU earned two national gold awards. The awards, also known as the ADDYs, were livestreamed on June 11.

Colton Dall, a graphic design senior, and Chelsea Moore (’21) both earned gold for their entries.

“Winning a national gold ADDY is the pinnacle of achievements for our graphic design and illustration students,” said Mark Roberson, dean of the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design. “There were about 35,000 entries this year and there were only 24 national level gold awards given, making winning a national just a little rarer than getting struck by lightning.”

Dall won for his entry titled “Tour Branding” in the student category for “out-of-home & ambient media: outdoor campaign.” His project promoted Radiohead, an English rock band. He had won gold at the AAF Inland Empire Awards and then silver in AAF District 15, which covers Southern California and Southern Nevada.

“This project was really more of a representation of Radiohead rather than a fresh take on them. As the project progressed, I began to really lean into their music and how they have a unique ability to take the chaotic and somehow make it mesh together,” Dall said. “I tried to reflect that balance in my pieces by having the chaotic paired with the neat throughout the campaign.”

Dall said when he first started the project, his drafts were not very good and his professor, Dirk Dallas, program director of graphic design, noticed that too.

“I decided to just start doing whatever felt good, throwing any principles and requirements I held out the window. As I worked on it throughout the night the meaning started to unfold, and I felt like the posters began to design themselves,” Dall said. “A huge thank you to Professor Dallas for pushing me and seeing the potential in me when I didn’t see it in myself.”

Moore won for “Sensodyne” in the student category for “out-of-home & ambient media: poster campaign.” She had won silver at the AAF Inland Empire Awards and gold in AAF District 15.

“The idea is a visual metaphor,” Moore said. “My campaign is a set of posters for the toothpaste brand Sensodyne. Since they market for sensitivity, I wanted to empathize with people who have sensitive teeth in a way that visually showed just how painful sensitive teeth can be.”

Moore said she was shocked when she learned of her win.

“I had no expectations with the ADDYs and my project. I am an illustrator, not much of a designer,” Moore said. “I am very honored and humbled.”

 

Family Updates

 

Christopher Yanney (’21), flight instructor I, is one of four recipients of the 2021 CAE Entry Level Jet Scholarship through the University Aviation Association. The scholarship, valued at $17,000, will let Yanney pursue jet type rating training, which will allow him to fly private jets.

 

 

 

 

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 June 15. It was titled The Consequences of Law Enforcement Reform: Avoiding the “Hollow Force.”

 

 

 

Stephanie Moreno, department secretary for Allied Health Professions, was named employee of the month for July. Her nomination included the following statements: “Stephanie is very warm, friendly, inviting, and confident in her ability to interact with others and leave them feeling fully served. Stephanie’s knowledge of campus systems has equipped her to handle most situations, yet she is comfortable seeking assistance from others as necessary.”

 

 

 

Dr. Jin-Sil Mock, assistant professor of education, and Dr. Rose Pike, assistant professor of teacher education, presented at the Annual Meredith Fellows Implementation Conference on July 8-9. Their session was titled Three-day edTPA Workshop Model to Support Candidates During Student Teaching. In addition, the Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning and Equity recently identified Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education teacher credential program as making progress to closing the performance gap among diverse communities of candidates in edTPA (Teacher Performance Assessment).

 

Christopher Kern, assistant professor of photography, was sworn onto the board of directors of the Chaffey Community Museum of Art in Ontario on July 8. He will serve a two-year term.

 

 

 

 

Philip Breitenbucher, assistant professor of social work, was a panel member on a webinar hosted by Redmane Technology on July 15. The webinar was titled Secondary Trauma: Self Care Intervention Approaches to Build Resiliency.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Tae Sung, associate professor of English, and two students, Joseph Arriaga and Eunice Hahn, presented papers at the Conference on Christianity and Literature on June 23-24. Sung’s paper was titled A Happier Reincarnation: The Rhetoric of Gifts in African American and Asian American Literature. Arriaga’s paper was titled Disenchanting Violence: Literary Patterns of Violence in Light of Charles Taylor, and Hahn’s paper was titled Antiracist Solutions from the 90’s: Exploring Racial Coalition in Ted Chiang’s ’Story of Your Life.’

 

 

Dr. Erin Smith, associate professor of psychology, wrote a blog for the Center for the Study of Human Behavior that was later translated into Spanish and published in the Spanish version of the Gospel Coalition (June 25). The blog was titled How understanding the brain teaches me to love God better.

 

 

 

Dr. Sangmin Kim, professor of public health sciences, co-authored an article in The International Journal of Health, Wellness, and Society (May 10). The title was Correlates of African-born Parents’ Attitudes toward the Utilization of Mental Health Services for their Children.

 

 

 

Tom Hamm, member of the Aviation Science Department Advisory Council and designated flight examiner, designed and built a fuel cart, which he donated to the Department of Aviation Science on June 19. The cart will allow for more efficient refueling by eliminating taxiing to the fuel pumps before or after flights. In turn, that will minimize wear on the aircraft, reduce the cost for students and increase the utilization rate out of the current fleet of aircraft.

 

 

 

Dr. Effat Zeidan Hatoum, assistant professor of general education for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the Edmedia + Innovate Learning 2021 Conference on July 6. Her presentation was titled COVID-19 and the Need for a More Student Focused Learning Approach in Online Settings. Additionally she published an article in Integrative Pathways, a newsletter of the Association for Interdisciplinary Studies (volume 43, number 1). It was titled Nanotechnology: An Interdisciplinary Field at the Forefront of Combatting the COVID-19 Pandemic.

 

 

 

Dr. Noemi Hernandez Alexander, assistant professor of public administration for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the APSA Religion and Politics Early Career Workshop on May 25. The presentation was on the Politics of Latino-Evangelicals. Additionally, she conducted a bilingual workshop for CLASE (Colaboración, Liderazgo, Abogacía, Servicio y Educacíon), part of the Autism Society of Inland Empire, on June 25. The workshop was on Effective Advocacy.

 

 

 

 

David Little, assistant director of graduate admissions, and Katie Minyard, graduate admissions counselor, presented at the NACCAP (North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals) Annual Conference on May 25-28. The presentation was titled The Dos and Don’ts of the Virtual Information Session.

 

 

 

Dr. Sandra Romo, associate professor of communication, and Dr. Shannon Leinen, adjunct professor of communication, both for Online and Professional Studies, presented research at the National Social Science Association Summer Virtual Seminar on July 19. The title was Universal Assessment Practices Across Traditional and Online Programs: A critical analysis of assessment strategies used in multiple teaching modalities.

 

 

Dr. Ana Gamez, associate professor of psychology, Dr. Anne-Marie Larsen, professor of psychology, and Mikael Rollins, a ’17 alumnus of the graduate program in forensic psychology, were panelists for the Broward County Crime Commission’s eighth annual narcotics conference on April 29. The panel was titled Understanding the Mindset of a Drug Dealer and Drug Kingpin.

 

 

 

Dr. Michael Patterson, adjunct professor of organizational leadership for Online and Professional Studies, published a book. It was titled Mission First, People Always: The Definitive Guide to Balancing People and Performance (Ambassador Associates, June 20).

 

 

Ruth Noemy Wheeler, lecturer of music, was selected to participate at the International Conducting Workshop and Festival 2021 in Katy, Texas, on July 12-19.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Nathan Iverson, associate professor of psychology, married Cecilia Rios on June 26. They were married at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Moreno Valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brittney Prieto, safety services officer II, and her husband, Christian, welcomed a son on July 7. Weston Rae Prieto weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 21.5 inches.

 

 

 

 

Brenda Tait, human resources benefits administrator, and her husband, Tim, welcomed their first grandchild on June 16. Bennett Michael Tait weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 20 inches. His parents are Timothy (’12) and Hannah Tait.

 

 

 

 

Stephanie Arjona, athletic academic counselor, and her husband, Daniel (‘16), welcomed a daughter on June 20. Daniella Ryann Arjona weighed 5 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 19.75 inches.

 

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates