September 10, 2021

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

Fall 2021 semester begins in person at CBU 

After offering classes mostly through synchronous remote instruction the past 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the California Baptist University campus was buzzing with energy and enthusiasm as in-person classes for the fall 2021 semester began Sept. 7.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Lancer Nation back on campus! The perseverance of our students, faculty and staff has been so evident over the last 18 months and we are excited to begin the fall 2021 term,” said Dr. Charles Sands, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “We want everyone to connect to the CBU community as we all celebrate the return to campus.”

New CBU students moved into their living areas and began getting acquainted with life on campus during Welcome Weekend Sept. 3-5. On Sept. 5, Community Life hosted a movie night on the Front Lawn for all CBU students. The event featured food trucks, Disney costume contests and the showing of “Cruella.”

CBU launched several new undergraduate majors and master’s degree programs this fall semester. In the traditional setting, CBU now offers a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education, a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Science in Engineering. The Division of Online and Professional Studies offers two new graduate programs: a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Healthcare Administration.

Additionally, CBU has entered the final year of its four-year transition from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I.

 

Welcome Weekend hosts the newest Lancers 

It was more than just the heat that gave the newest Lancers a warm welcome as they arrived at California Baptist University for Welcome Weekend, Sept. 3-5. CBU faculty, staff and student leaders received about 2,000 freshmen and transfer students arriving for the start of the fall semester at CBU.

CBU hosted international students on Sept. 1-2 and students who commute on Sept. 3. Residential freshmen and transfer students moved in on Sept. 3. The weekend is a CBU tradition that helps new students get connected to campus resources and each other.

“Welcome Weekend is designed to connect new students to each other, to our beautiful campus and ultimately to Christ,” said Emily Culmer, program coordinator for new student programs in Community Life. “By the first day of class, we want our new students to feel like they belong to our campus community as a member of the Lancer family.”

Move-in kicked off the weekend. As students arrived with vehicles full of luggage, student volunteers lined up beside the living areas to help with move in. They unloaded vehicles, filled rolling bins with bedding, clothes and other items and pushed them to the rooms.

Other events on Friday included an Academic Open House & Involvement Fair, where the newcomers connected with deans, faculty members and Student Services offices. That was followed by the Kick-Off that provided more information about the campus and highlighted Athletics.

Ethan Britton, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, said he chose CBU because he wanted to branch out. He looked forward to meeting other students and the nicer weather in Southern California.

“I really like the kinesiology program. I’m really excited to start in my field,” Britton said. “And I’m excited about meeting new people and being surrounded by a bunch of Christ followers like myself.”

Amanda Barrier, a photography freshman, said she chose CBU after doing research and walking down Palm Drive on campus.

“I found that nowhere else really like felt as much as home like CBU does,” Barrier said. “I’m excited mostly about becoming more independent, but also about joining a community and being able to hang out with a bunch of believers my age.”

Additional weekend activities included students meeting their First-Year Experience groups, which help acclimate students to campus life. SL Welcome Night provided worship, the gospel message, and a student-led panel on how Spiritual Life helped them grow spiritually. Sunday night featured a movie, “Cruella,” on the Front Lawn along with food trucks.

 

CBU campus alive again with the sound of music 

The singing from Worship Collective at California Baptist University drifted out of the large tent behind Wallace Theatre on Sept. 2. “Oh Praise (The Only One)” was one of many songs the students would practice that day.

A week before the fall 2021 semester begins at CBU, about 400 students are already on campus for Rehearsal Camp, hosted by the Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Music on Aug. 31-Sept. 3 and Sept. 6.

Dr. Joseph Bolin, dean of the School of Music said Rehearsal Camp welcomes new students, casts vision for the future and gets a head start of the process of music making for the academic year.

“We come together this week to connect to each other, connect with our collective mission and objectives, and connect with the profoundly fulfilling process of creating music in the context of a vibrant community,” Bolin said.

During camp, some of the choirs rehearsed in the tent or at Magnolia Church near the CBU campus. The other vocal and instrument ensembles practiced in the JoAnn Hawkins Music Building. Students wore masks when singing indoors.

For the past 18 months, students have experienced virtual rehearsals and performances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Being away from making music and worshipping as a community has been one of the most difficult things I have experienced,” said Dr. Gene Peterson, director of choral and vocal studies. “The joy of being community and singing harmony with many voices is an unspeakable blessing and well worth the precautions we are taking to do so safely.”

Dr. Guy Holliday, associate dean of undergraduate studies, conducts the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and the Lancer Pep Band.

During camp “the students experience clinics and workshops from our directors to set the stage for growth in their musical craft, personal character, and their connections to God and each other,” Holliday said. “We are so excited to be making music together in the same space again!”

Melody Vazquez, a music education sophomore, spent her freshman year submitting videos of herself singing. Practicing with others this week reminded her of her high school experience of singing in person.

“Now that I’m in here, it’s a whole different level of learning and it’s really good to be on campus,” Vazquez said. “Today was kind of really difficult in a sense of blending with other people and unifying with others, but it was also a great experience to come back to.”

Joseph Greene, a music composition freshman, sings bass with Lancer Chorus and Worship Collective. He said he already learned about technique and form.

“It was amazing. I’ve learned so much and it’s so wonderful being able to actually collaborate with other singers again and other musicians,” Greene said.

 

Facilities services aims to ‘enhance the learning environment’ 

California Baptist University is busy preparing for the return of students this fall semester. For many campus offices, work slows down during the summer, even without a pandemic. But not for all departments.

“Summer is essentially a summer sprint. We try to get as much done as we possibly can so not to interfere with the students when they’re living on campus,” said Brenda Flores, associate director of business administration for Facilities and Planning Services.

The office oversees the maintenance and operations of all campus structures, from the buildings themselves to the internal systems, such as ventilation, plumbing, lights, etc. It also is involved with construction and remodeling on campus. Projects this summer included turning a classroom into faculty offices, upgrading the fire alarm system at Tower Hall student housing and building a new soccer field.

Have a leaking faucet or a light that needs to be replaced? Facilities and Planning Services gets the call.

“My preference is that we are behind the scenes,” Flores said. “If you have to get in contact with us, we hope that we’re very customer-service oriented, that we take care of it in a timely manner and clean up after ourselves. We want to be the facilitator for the educational environment.”

Robert Gurrola, associate director of maintenance and operations, is all about preventative maintenance. Just as a car needs an oil change every 5,000 miles, buildings and systems need maintenance as well, he said.

“My philosophy is whatever asset we have on campus, we try to get as much longevity from it as we can. We’re oiling, checking, fixing or repairing,” Gurrola said.

For him, problems arise when someone brings an unauthorized appliance or uses several extension cords. He wants people to ask first and encourages them to refer to the Facilities page on InsideCBU for more information.

Jonathan Rogers, general maintenance technician, worked on preparing living areas during the summer housing turnover.

“Summer is our busiest season as we try our best to get everything looking as new and clean as possible,” Rogers said. “Turnover time is absolute madness. But through teamwork, dedication and a lot of prayer we somehow manage to make it happen.”

His favorite part of the job is that it is never the same.

“The mystery of the new day is a double-edged sword, but I love it,” Rogers said. “It gives us a chance to constantly try and learn a new skill or the ability to work with other skilled technicians that can pour into you and teach you. I have been blessed to have a truly amazing manager and co-workers.”

Carlos “Buddy” Perryman, fire and safety specialist, has worked at CBU nearly 19 years. His recent tasks included regular testing of fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems and coordinating the new fire alarm in Tower Hall.

With so many cyclic inspections and tests to do along with other duties, time management is critical, Perryman said. His favorite part of the job is looking at the inspection log at the end of the month and seeing all the boxes filled with completion dates and initials.

“There is so much to do that I don’t get to see that every month, but even so, it makes me feel proud to be part of the team that provides so many different layers of protection for our students and staff,” Perryman said.

Part of the department’s mission statement says it strives “to provide an environment conducive to the intellectual and spiritual growth of the students of California Baptist University.”

“We’re not to be a hindrance but enhance the learning environment. The staff and faculty can do their jobs, and the students are able to learn because they’re comfortable and they feel safe,” Flores said. “That’s what we’re really about, making sure that we’re taking care of those things so that people can learn, because that’s our business, right?”

 

CBU scores high in national, state 2022 Niche college rankings 

California Baptist University has once again received high marks for campus life in national rankings, coming in at No. 5 for “Best College Campus,” No. 5 for “Best College Food” and No. 23 for “Best College Dorms,” according to a 2022 Niche Best Colleges list.

The 2022 Niche Best College rankings are based on statistical analyses of dozens of data sources, according to the site. The “Best College Campus” category, for instance, uses key statistics and student reviews in addition to data from the U.S. Department of Education. The “Best College Campus” standings also take into account the quality of housing and food services of the campus.

“I am amazed by how much love is spread around campus from professors to students, it is such a welcoming school. I love being able to integrate my faith into assignments and conversations that I have with professors. … I am very grateful to be completing my degree here and I would not have wanted to go to any other school,” wrote a student reviewer on Niche.com’s profile page for CBU.

CBU placed No. 10 as “Best Online Colleges” and No. 20 for “Best Hispanic-Serving Institutions” in the national rankings. CBU also placed high among the Niche rankings for California colleges, including No. 1 for “Best Online Colleges” and No. 2 for “Best College Campus,” “Best College Food” and “Best College Dorms.” CBU also placed No. 8 for “Best Christian Colleges” and No. 11 for “Best College Athletics” in California.

 

Life of Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf remembered at memorial service 

Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf was remembered for her love of travel, jewelry and California Baptist University at a memorial service on campus on Aug. 30.

Metcalf, a former longtime CBU employee, passed away Aug. 4. She graduated from then California Baptist College in 1969 and worked in several positions at the university over the years (1971-2000), including secretary to the vice president for Academic Affairs, professor of education and vice president for Academic Affairs. Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education was named in her honor in 2003.

Metcalf was acting vice president for Academic Affairs when Dr. Ronald L. Ellis became president in 1994. Having worked with her in the weeks before his official first day on the job, Ellis said his first recommendation to the Board of Trustees was to name Metcalf as vice president for Academic Affairs.

“There are people you meet in life that, upon the first impression, you know are going to be special, and you just feel like you’ve known them for a long, long period of time,” Ellis said. “Bonnie Metcalf had that type of relationship with me.”

Dr. H. Bruce Stokes, professor of anthropology and behavioral sciences, said Metcalf impacted his life as a colleague.

“I found Bonnie to be one of the classiest ladies I ever knew. … She didn’t perform or put on airs,” Stokes said. “Her presence was always a comfort to me because she was committed during those difficult times as was I to CBC and its mission.”

Dr. Amy Stumpf, professor of society and religion, said Metcalf changed her life. Metcalf hired Stumpf as her secretary and later encouraged Stumpf to pursue her doctorate and provided her with her first teaching opportunity.

“She knew the power of beauty to refresh her spirit, to help her face the day and bring a little delight.

I knew a woman who made life joyful and loved to laugh,” Stumpf said. “I knew a woman who was very smart. She could take in a lot of information, distill it, apply it and then get people to buy in.”

Granddaughter Brandie Metcalf (’97, ’13) remembered walking across the stage for graduation and her grandmother handing her the diploma.

“She always loved graduation time. She loved seeing her students and everybody succeed and that was always her mission,” Brandie Metcalf said. “I know that she will inspire the next generations to find and live their purpose as well as she did while she was here with us.”

Metcalf retired as vice president for Academic Affairs in 2000.

“I am an educator and this is my mission in life,” Metcalf told The Banner in 2000. “Some people are doctors; some are lawyers and missionaries. I am an educator.”

 

Speech-language pathology graduate program is accredited

The speech-language pathology graduate program at California Baptist University has received full accreditation for five years.

The accreditation comes from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), which is within the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program received candidacy status in 2016 when the first students enrolled.

“Full accreditation status is evidence our program meets the rigorous standards established by ASHA and has consistently done so for many years,” said Dr. Bryan Ness, chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. “It is evidence of our active participation in ASHA and the quality of our program.”

During the candidacy period, CBU submitted yearly reports on course curricula, clinical practicum experience and student assessment. The program applied for full accreditation in fall 2020. The program completed a self study and underwent a virtual site visit this spring.

“For CBU, this means we continue to do what we have been doing—providing personalized, relevant and evidence-based academic and practicum experiences for students and demonstrating to our professional organization our commitment to uphold the highest standards of quality education,” Ness said. “CBU now transitions from being a ‘new’ speech-language pathology program to an established one, and we will be active members in our professional community.”

Dr. Candace Vickers, professor of communication sciences and disorders, founded the program and guided the department through the accreditation process.

“Receiving our full accreditation this year means the world to our faculty, staff and students,” Vickers said. “This is very important to students as they consider various graduate programs. It is the culmination of many years of work by a very dedicated team to create major infrastructure in both academic and clinical education.”

 

Family Updates

Orlando Martinez, director of aircraft maintenance, was named employee of the month for September. His nomination included the following statements: “Orlando secured a device to decrease inspection time tremendously due to a service bulletin by Piper. His team brought the C-150 up to full condition and updated simulators, supporting [the] NIFA team that went to national championships for the first time in CBU history and winning 14th place in the nation.”

 

 

 

Ruth Noemy Wheeler, lecturer of music, won first prize at the Los Angeles Conducting Workshop and Competition 2021 held in Los Angeles from Aug. 9-14. Competitors were selected nationwide and internationally.

 

 

 

 

Andrew Cress, director of special projects in Academic Affairs, was asked to serve as an accreditation peer evaluator for the WASC Senior College and University Commission. He will participate in his first accreditation site visit in November.

 

 

 

 

Frank Mihelich, associate professor of theatre, participated as a panel speaker at the Association of Theatre in Higher Education national conference on Aug. 6. The title of his presentation was Toward a Complicated Theatre: How Christian in Theatre Can Preserve the American Democracy. He also was a panelist in the Let’s Be Together Arts Festival on Aug. 21. He spoke on Post-Pandemic Era: The Survival War of Arts Industry. Both conferences were virtual.

 

 

 

Dr. Effat Zeidan Hatoum, assistant professor of general education for Online and Professional Studies, spoke during the American Chemical Society Fall 2021 conference on Aug. 23. The title of her talk was Why is emotional stability essential during the pandemic for the remote learner?

 

 

 

 

Dr. Dennis K. Bideshi, professor of biology, co-authored a paper published in Scientific Reports (August 2021). It was titled Extended in vivo transcriptomes of two ascoviruses with different tissue tropisms reveal alternative mechanisms for enhancing virus reproduction in hemolymph.

 

 

 

 

Dawn Carter, industry liaison for the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business, has been nominated to Riverside’s International Relations Council, an organization that helps facilitate global ties with Riverside’s sister cities. She will serve for two years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Aug. 18. It was titled Police Response to Rising Crime:  Are We Becoming Ungovernable?

 

 

 

Mary Ann Stahovich, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, and Catherine Letherer, associate professor of physician assistant studies, facilitated an ultrasound workshop at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine on Aug. 11. The CBU students in the Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies learned hands-on ultrasound techniques.

 

 

Dr. Veola Vazquez, professor of psychology, participated in a virtual poster presentation at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention on Aug. 12-14. She presented a poster with Doctor of Psychology students Jessica MacCallum, Marena Matta, Sara Chamberlin and Summer Newman. The poster was titled Deliberate Rumination, Trauma Symptoms, and Posttraumatic Growth: The Mediating Role of Christian Gratitude.

 

 

 

Dr. Virgo Handojo, professor of psychology, co-authored a paper that was published in the Journal for Prevention and Intervention in the Community (May 31, 2021). The paper was titled Attachment style, religiosity, and well-being among Indonesian Christians. Dr. Krystal Hays, assistant professor of psychology, was the issue’s guest editor.

 

 

 

Dr. Shari Farris, associate professor of education, and Dr. Cammy Purper, professor of education, both for Online and Professional Studies, had an article published in Dimensions of Early Childhood on Aug. 2. It was titled STEM in Early Childhood Education: Establishing a Culture of Inquiry with Young Children.

 

 

 

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, professor of communication, presented at a workshop sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America, Inland Empire chapter in San Bernardino on Aug. 25. Her topic was planning and writing a public relations plan.

 

 

 

The Doctor of Social Work program held its second residency from July 28-31. More than 30 students attended guest lectures and workshops. Additionally, the students presented and defended their research dissertations in front of faculty, administrators and peers.

 

 

The Master of Social Work Program welcomed more than 150 new students for the fall 2021 school year on Aug. 21. Program details were reviewed and students chose faculty mentors for the upcoming academic year.

 

 

Dr. Daniel Prather, professor of aviation science, just released a fourth edition of his general aviation marketing and management textbook, which has been re-titled FBO Management.

 

 

 

 

The Veterans Resource Center set a table in the Alumni Dining Commons to honor the 13 servicemen and women who were killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 26. The table was set up through Sept. 6.

 

 

Jennifer Lee, special projects coordinator in the Office of Educational Effectiveness, earned her Master of Science in Higher Education Leadership and Student Development from CBU on Aug. 19.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Nathanael Heyman, professor of biology, completed the Kodiak 100 mile trail running ultramarathon on Aug. 20-21. He finished in 27 hours 55 minutes for 12^th overall out of 76 runners, shaving nearly 2 hours off his 25^th place finish in 2019. The race circumnavigates Big Bear Lake on mountain trails for 100 miles while ascending and descending 16,000 feet of elevation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanessa Bowley, adjunct professor of English for Online and Professional Studies, and her husband, Alan, welcomed their third daughter on Aug. 17. Olivia Ruth weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 21.5 inches. She joins sisters Abigail, 5, and Jessica, 3.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates