November 19, 2021

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

‘Beauty and the Beast’ finally hits the stage at CBU

In March 2020, the theatre program at California Baptist University was making final preparations for its production of “Beauty and the Beast.” Then the pandemic brought down the curtain on theatres and other venues.

More than 18 months later, CBU students will finally perform the production in the Wallace Theatre. About one-third of the cast is the same.

Sophia Oliveri, a theatre senior, remains in the Mrs. Potts role.

“This has been in the making since spring of 2020,” Oliveri said. “I just don’t think I’ll believe it’s happening until I’m singing onstage in front of a live audience.”

Scott Rydelski, a theatre performance and comedic arts senior, moved from a smaller role to now play Gaston. He said there is more excitement preparing for the production.

“Actors are not taking this opportunity for granted anymore. Everybody shows up every day ready to work and create a great show,” Rydelski said.

Lisa Lyons, adjunct professor of theatre and the director of the play, said it is wonderful to be working with the students on the performance again.

“There’s nothing like live theater. It’s a unique medium,” she said.

Lyons hopes the audience gets joy from the show.

“Every production number has a big finish. When the students do that final pose, you can feel their energy. It’s so fun to see,” Lyons said. “It’s a great show for any age. It has adult humor as well as kid humor. I think it’s just a big crowd pleaser.”

Nathan Sporcich, a marketing junior, plays the Beast. He has learned how much effort and enthusiasm is needed from every member in the cast.

“I hope the audience gets an immersive and magical experience from finally seeing live theatre return again,” Sporcich said. “I know many people have been anticipating this show and I am so glad we were able to bring it together once again.”

Rydelski said he hopes the audience will realize that the arts are essential.

“The part that’s been the most enjoyable of this whole experience must be preparing a show to return live to CBU again,” he said. “It’s been such a long time since we had that opportunity. I am excited to see the Wallace Theatre be filled with people again.”

Oliveri said she hoped the audience will see that love always leads to transformation.

“It’s a crucial theme in ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ The audience will witness a story of love changing someone from the inside out. My hope is they take that into the world and love people for who they are just like Christ,” she said. 

When: Nov. 19-20, Dec. 2-4 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 20 and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m.
Where: Wallace Theatre, California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA, 92504
For more information, please visit https://calbaptist.edu/theater/current-production

 

Thousands attend CBU Parent and Family Weekend

Thousands came to California Baptist University for Parent and Family Weekend on Nov. 12-13, bringing families together to participate in activities.

On Nov. 12, families had the opportunity to tour academic colleges and schools at CBU to meet deans and faculty members.

Later in the afternoon, families visited the Block Party on the Front Lawn, which featured food trucks, a photo booth, games and inflatable slides.

The day concluded with the Fortuna Bowl, the annual intramural flag football championship and one of the largest sporting events at the school. The event drew an estimated 6,200 spectators. The Twinkle Toesies beat Bombshell 6-0 in the women’s championship game and the Baptist Baddies beat J.A.C.K. 14-7 in the men’s game.

Shan Balingit has a daughter and a nephew who attend CBU. The nephew was playing in the Fortuna Bowl. The weekend was a good time to connect with family, Balingit said.

After the final game, a fireworks show ended the night.

The following morning, families had the option of participating in a hike up Mt. Rubidoux, which included a parent prayer during the hike.

In the evening, there was a pregame party before the men’s basketball game that featured live music, food trucks, a climbing wall and a performance by the Lancer Pep Band.

Nearly 5,000 fans watched as the men’s basketball team won against Mississippi Valley State, 95-66.

Bethany Dirkin, a health science freshman, attended the game with her father and siblings.

“The crowd involvement was great,” Dirkin said.

David Dirkin, Bethany’s father, loved coming out to Parent and Family Weekend.

“I enjoy sports, I wanted to see Bethany, what a perfect combination! To have sports, to see my daughter on her campus, in her environment,” Dirkin said. “All the community was great.”

 

Couple’s $250,000 gift becomes $1M scholarship endowment

Wayne and Bertie Paul, longtime supporters of California Baptist University, have given $250,000 to the School of Christian Ministries for a double major endowed scholarship.

Their donation was matched by an anonymous donor. In turn, both gifts were matched by institutional funds from the CBU endowment match program, making The Wayne and Bertie Paul Double Major Endowed Scholarship total $1 million.

“I believe this endowment reflects the legacy of who Wayne and Bertie Paul are and what they have committed their lives to in serving Christ and all of those that He came to save,” said Curt Jarboe, director of development in University of Advancement. He spoke during the presentation of the scholarship on Nov. 9. Jarboe has known the Pauls for more than 40 years.

After careers in education and respiratory therapy, the Pauls went overseas and served more than 20 years, the latter years seeking to reach an unreached people group.

“Wayne and Bertie have created a double major endowed scholarship to help students who are wanting to attend CBU and prepare to do what they have done, and that is to serve in the development of churches among the world’s least reached peoples,” Jarboe said.

Dr. Chris Morgan, dean of the School of Christian Ministries, said the double major scholarship, which is now at $5.6 million, will help reach more students on campus. With this scholarship, one of the majors must be in the School of Christian Ministries. Currently 90 double major students study in the School of Christian Ministries.

“Double majors have existed for a number of years, but with the changing culture and with people needing to be versatile and nimble, we want to help people grow in their understanding of the Bible, their understanding of theology, their understanding the Christian mission, their understanding of how to serve the church and have various marketable skills,” Morgan said.

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of CBU, told how the Pauls started giving $1 a month to CBU—then California Baptist College—in the 1960s when Wayne’s brother was a student. They have been supporting CBU ever since, Ellis said.

“We’re grateful to the Pauls. I want to say personally thank you, Wayne and Bertie, for what you’re doing and what you have done and what this gift will continue to do until Christ returns,” Ellis said. “The Wayne and Bertie Paul endowment will surely have significant and long-term gospel impact at CBU and throughout the world.”

 

Veterans remembered, honored at CBU for Veterans Day 

The Veterans Resource Center celebrated the nation’s veterans at California Baptist University on Veterans Day on Nov. 11.

Honoring the veterans began with a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 246th birthday. The Veterans Day Ceremony also included a reading of the Presidential Proclamation; recognition of veteran faculty, staff and students; and a speech from Dr. John Marselus, chair of the Department of Aviation Science.

Marselus served in the U.S. Air Force as a fighter pilot. He said he was trying to figure out the essence of what it means to be a veteran and decided it came down to one word: commitment.

“We live in a time and an age where people… start something and they won’t finish it,” he said.

Marselus said that there are three ways members of the Armed Forces demonstrate commitment: to their nation, to their service, and to each other.

The nation could not be what it is today without the Armed Forces and their willingness to give up their lives for their country, Marselus said.

“When we give our oath of office, we are promising to give our lives in defense of what that means,” Marselus said.

He also talked about the loyalty the Armed Forces as a whole have for each other and the individual bonds between members of the same branch.

“In the Army, they call them battle brothers. In the Air Force, we call them wingmen. I wouldn’t be standing before you now if it wasn’t for my wingmen,” he said.

Marselus challenged the audience to emulate the commitment demonstrated by the Armed Forces, encouraging them to consider their devotion to God, church, friends, and families.

“You don’t have to wear a uniform to be committed,” he said.

 

Theologian delves into the gift of the Holy Spirit 

Dr. Gregg Allison had one important message for audience members at California Baptist University on Nov. 9.

“The greatest gift that the Father gives to those who follow his Son Is the Holy Spirit,” Allison said. “Notice how I phrased the idea. The greatest gift the Father gives to those who follow the Son who have discovered that great gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, the greatest gift is the Holy Spirit.”

Allison is a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He has written several books, including “Historical Theology,” “Sojourners and Strangers” and “The Holy Spirit,” from the Theology for the People of God series. He spoke as part of the School of Christian Ministries Lecture Series.

The Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son in terms of his power and glory, yet He is distinct on the basis of his roles, Allison said.

“When we share the good news, we ask the Holy Spirit to speak in and through us, help us with our words, to listen well and respond rightly, to communicate comfort or rebuke, whatever the case may be,” Allison said.

According to Genesis 1-2, the Holy Spirit was active in the creation of the world, he said. Now, in the fallen world, the Spirit is part of re-creation or salvation.

“Even before we embrace the gospel, the Holy Spirit is at work to convict the world, that’s you and me, people who are hostile toward God. The Spirit is at work convicting the world of sin and righteousness and judgment,” Allison said.

The Spirit also works on re-creating believers corporately, he said.

“The default mode of the church is unity. We break that unity by our political agendas, our personal agendas,” Allison said. “The Spirit grants us unity and we work to maintain that. The church also pursues greater purity through the Holy Spirit.”

The Spirit empowers the church to engage nonbelievers with the gospel, Allison said.

“When those nonbelievers cross the line of faith and they embrace the good news, the church baptizes these new converts in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” he said.

To be filled with the Spirit is an ongoing command that demands a response according to Ephesians 5:18-21, Allison said.

“It calls for a posture of yielded-ness, of submission. It’s not an active command, it’s a passive command,” he said. “Put yourself in a posture, in a position where you’re fully yielded or submitted to the Spirit.”

Finally, the Spirit will prompt believers to do the will of God, Allison said.

“When our church members are filled with the Spirit, our church will be characterized by gratitude, especially in the tough times,” Allison said. “When our church members are filled with the Spirit, our church will be a church in which love reigns. We will honor one another, defer to one another, consider one another more highly than ourselves. It will be a loving community.

“And these results of being filled with the Spirit also push the church to engage in genuine worship and authentic fellowship and be a community of thanksgiving and work on loving one another.”

 

Volunteers work to keep CBU green on Fall Arbor Day 

More than 300 students, faculty, staff, and other volunteers participated in the 2021 Fall Arbor Day by planting 16 trees, caring for vegetation and helping with campus cleanup at California Baptist University on Nov. 6.

The Facilities and Planning Services at CBU and the Environmental Science Club organized the event. Volunteers worked in teams, planting trees and other vegetation, applying fertilizer and soil, and beautifying the campus. CBU participates in Arbor Day as a part of Tree Campus USA, a program sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Dr. Bonjun Koo, professor of environmental science and advisor of the Environmental Science Club, said he hopes Arbor Day shifts students’ perspectives to a more environment-focused approach and allows students to better understand how they are intertwined with the environment.

“As Christians and stewards, we need to take care of God’s creatures,” Koo said. “Because of anthropogenic activities, we keep disrupting natural ecosystems and we keep losing biodiversity. By planting trees and flowers and cleaning up our environment, students can learn how important it is to get along with other organisms.”

Emmanuelle Evans, an art therapy senior, said she enjoyed attending the event because it allowed her to connect with other people through the process of planting.

“I think [my favorite part] is actually just touching the soil and being in contact with growing things,” Evans said. “The process of growing is a very laborious process and it isn’t instant. I think everything nowadays is so instant, so to be part of a slow-growth process and a journey [is great].”

This was the first Arbor Day event Brittany Livingstone, a health science sophomore, attended. She said planting trees allows students to take part in activities that can lessen the impact of humans on the environment.

“My favorite part would be showing people how just doing little things can change a big part of the ecosystem,” Livingstone said. “Just changing the soil can make a huge difference in what products come up.”

This semester’s Arbor Day was the first in-person Arbor Day since 2019. During the pandemic, students had the opportunity to participate in a virtual Arbor Day, during which they could plant a tree at home and upload photos or videos of their trees. Now that Arbor Day is back in person, Koo said he enjoys the community aspect of the event.

“All volunteers gather together, and we start with a prayer, and we explain how important it is to plant trees. That is my favorite part,” Koo said.

 

Center for Business Excellence opens to serve business owners

The Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business at California Baptist University hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Center for Business Excellence on Nov. 4. The center is aimed at helping small and medium-sized business owners in the community.

The center will offer various services to those business owners, including one-on-one coaching with a faculty member with entrepreneur experience. The center is an official Certiport testing center where employees and employers can obtain certificates in a variety of technologies. It also will hold seminars in conjunction with the Dr. Paul and Annie Kienel Leadership Institute.

“Some years ago, the brainchild of the faculty of the Jabs School was to engage with our community directly,” said Dr. Tim Gramling, dean of the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business. “We are excited by the presence of this Center for Business Excellence, which will provide seminars and training and certifications to make a difference in the lives of small to medium sized business owners, leaders and staff.”

Dr. Marina Girju, associate dean for undergraduate programs, said the Center for Business Excellence is the only university sponsored and Certiport authorized center in the Inland Empire area.

“We are looking forward to working with individuals who want to upgrade their skills or simply obtain a certificate to clearly, unequivocally demonstrate the skills they have,” Girju said. “As you see, my sleeves are all up. We are so ready to start the work here.” 

Dr. Charles Sands, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, encouraged the attendees to spread the news about the center and to participate themselves.

“I love this community. I love the fact that you’re here to support another initiative tied to excellence and tied to influence in the region. We all know that leadership is about influence,” Sands said.

CBU faculty members and staff in addition to business owners and Riverside city and community officials were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony and open house. Dr. Robert K. Jabs, former dean and professor for whom the School of Business is named, also attended.

Jim Perry, Riverside city councilmember in Ward 6, said he was glad to see CBU continue to expand.

“This is an opportunity to form our business leaders, to get our business leaders out there with even more expertise, and to make a difference not only in this city but in this region and hopefully in this state,” Perry said.

For more information on the Center for Business Excellence, please contact Delores Washington, 951-343-4329 or dwashington@calbaptist.edu.

 

Aviation event aims to inspire girls in the community

Dozens of school-age girls and their parents streamed through the Flight Operations Center on Nov. 1, participating in various activities, from virtually flying in a flight simulator to sitting inside a Piper airplane.

The Girls in Aviation event was hosted by the California Baptist University chapter of Women in Aviation International.

“Girls in Aviation is a great event to show young girls that they can accomplish anything, that they can do aviation,” said Aubri Guerrero, an aviation flight junior and a volunteer at the event. “This is to show them that it’s an option, that it’s a field open to everybody and that it’s just a lot of fun.”

Several CBU students and faculty volunteered their time to show the attendees around, answer questions about the aviation industry and demonstrate the activities.

Ariana Chavez, a CBU flight instructor, volunteered at the event, guiding attendees in the flight simulator. She said she tried to simplify the experience so the girls would not get overwhelmed by all of the buttons in the cockpit. Still, the girls were excited, she said, to be in control of the aircraft, virtually flying over their favorite places, like Disneyland.

“Most of them actually landed the simulator pretty well, I was surprised,” Chavez said. “I think they got a lot out of the experience.”

Chavez has volunteered at the annual Girls in Aviation event for several years, since she was a CBU student herself. The event first started in 2016, and Chavez says she has seen girls come through the event who eventually enroll in the aviation program at CBU.

“I’m hoping that, even if it’s not aviation, that the girls got an idea that they are capable of doing things that are more hands-on, science-y and mechanical. When I was younger, nobody ever represented that to me,” Chavez said. “The Girls in Aviation day is one of the most inspiring things of the year. I hope we can get the word out, to help grow the number of girls interested in science and interested in aviation.”

Tiana Stroncone, a senior and president of the Women in Aviation CBU chapter, was the main organizer of the event.

“This is a career path that we all take seriously, but it is also our passion,” Stroncone said. “And to share our passion with others creates a special bond that runs deep throughout our community.”

The event was skipped last year due to COVID-19, but Stroncone said she hopes it will continue annually in the future.

“We are thankful to all our students in Women in Aviation who volunteered many hours to ensure its success,” said Dr. John Marselus, chair of the Department of Aviation Science. “We are also thankful for all the support CBU leadership supplies in events such as this.”

 

CBU’s men cross country win back-to-back WAC Championships

California Baptist University cross country ended its season with a historic performance at the Western Athletic Conference Championships on Oct. 30.

The Lancer men won their second-straight WAC team title with a perfect score, led by Florian Le Pallec. CBU’s women secured a runner-up finish as a team and individually from Greta Karinauskaite. CBU hosted the WAC meet for the first time at the UC Riverside Agricultural Operations Course.

Le Pallec and Karinauskaite also set new CBU records. Le Pallec won the 8000-meter race with a time of 23:18.5. Karinauskaite placed second in the 6000-meter race with a time of 19:50.9.

Coach Adam Tribble was named the WAC Men’s Coach of the Year, and Karinauskaite the Freshman of the Year. Thirteen Lancers—eight men, five women—earned All-WAC honors with top-20 finishes.

Read the full story here. 

 

Family Updates

Dr. Thomas Frederick, professor of psychology for Online and Professional Studies, co-wrote a book titled The Family: A Christian Perspective on the Contemporary Home (Fifth Edition, Baker Academic, November 2021).

 

 

 

 

Dr. Daniel Prather, professor of aviation science, facilitated a strategic planning session with the Virginia Department of Aviation Small Airport Transportation Systems Lab in Richmond, Virginia, on Oct. 29. The plan he developed will guide the adoption of innovative technologies, such as eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing), and remote air traffic control towers throughout the state.

 

 

 

Andrew Cress, director of special projects in Academic Affairs, facilitated a keynote panel at the 2021 California Association at the Institutional Research (CAIR) conference on Oct. 29. The panel was called Using Data for Advocacy: A Conversation with the Advocates. He also participated on a panel for the New England Educational Assessment Network held virtually on Nov. 5. The panel was titled Making Technology Work for You: Key Considerations.

 

 

 

Jessica Ducsay, research associate in the College of Health Science, and Dr. Robert LaChausse, professor of public health sciences, presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting in Denver on Oct. 26. The presentation was titled Successes of a Comprehensive Smoke Free Policy to Reduce Secondhand Smoke Exposure.

 

 

 

Christopher Kern, assistant professor of photography, was a panelist for the Society of Photographic Education, South Central Conference via Zoom on Oct. 29. The panel was titled Where Does Photography Curricula Go From Here? Exploring Current Changes and Demands in Higher Education.

 

 

 

Amanda Madrid, professor of nursing, had an op-ed published in the Journal of Christian Nursing. It is titled The Joy Pathway.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Keith Hekman, professor of aerospace, industrial and mechanical engineering, presented a conference paper at the ASME 2021 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition held virtually on Nov. 1. It was titled Using Wireless Pasco Smart Carts to Demonstrate Vibration Principals.

 

 

 

Dr. Robert Crosby, associate professor of psychology for Online and Professional Studies, and Dr. Erin Smith, associate professor of psychology, presented virtually at the Toronto Children’s Ministry Conference on Nov. 6. The presentation was titled Ministry to Hurting Kids: How Trauma Impacts the Kids We Love and What to Do about It.

 

 

 

Dr. Jong-Kyung Kim, associate professor of exercise science, presented two studies at the Southwest ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) annual meeting in Costa Mesa, California, on Oct. 29-30. They were titled Cardiorespiratory Fitness Level Alters Blood Pressure Responses Induced by Histamine H₁– and H₂-receptor Blockade During Dynamic Exercise and Acute Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Grape Seed Extract Attenuates Blood Pressure increase during Cold Pressor Test in Prehypertensive Men.

 

 

Dr. Mark Kling, associate professor of criminal justice, and Dr. Linda-Marie Sundstrom, associate professor of public administration, both for Online and Professional Studies, presented research at the virtual NASPAA (Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration) Conference on Oct. 27. It was titled Defund the Police or Comprehensive Compassion: Trends to Create Safety in the Civic Square.

 

 

Dr. Dominick Sturz, professor of public health for Online and Professional Studies, co-moderated a national webinar for the Southern California Public Health Association on Sept. 29. The topic was titled Social Justice: The Intersection of Covid-19, Mental Health & Nature.

 

 

 

Dr. Juliann Perdue, professor of nursing, was a presenter and Andrew Cress, director of special projects in Academic Affairs, was a moderator at the virtual 2021 Assessment Institute on Oct. 25. Perdue’s presentation was titled How to Develop a Systematic Quality Improvement Plan (SQIP).

 

 

 

Carolyn Heine, associate librarian, served as a peer evaluator on a WASC Senior College and University Commission Special Visit review team. The site visit took place Oct. 27-29.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Adele Harrison, professor of finance, presented a poster she co-authored at the Christian Business Faculty Associate (CBFA) annual conference in Nashville on Oct. 2. The title of the poster was Perceptions of Faith and Work by Christian Undergraduate Business Majors. She also presented co-authored research study at the virtual Society for Scientific Study of Religion annual conference on Oct. 16. The title of the presentation was Faith in Business: Christian Undergraduates’ Perception of Business as a College Major.

 

 

Christine Lee Smith, adjunct professor of photography, presented a paper at the CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts) Transcend Conference in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 6. The paper was titled Looking at Death: Following Christ in Embodied Life.

 

 

 

The Doctor of Psychology program had its first Research Showcase in Innovators Auditorium on Nov. 1. Faculty and students presented original research in the form of poster and oral presentations.

 

 

 

Dr. Virgo Handojo, professor of psychology, presented a webinar hosted by the Sekolah Kristen Tunas Bangsa (The Seed of the Nation Christian Schools) in Bali, Indonesia, on Oct. 9. It was titled Pandemic Parenting.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Melissa Wiggington, associate professor of health science, was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award in the Area of Physical Activity from the American Public Health Association on Oct. 25. She also co-authored a policy statement titled Supporting Physical Education in Schools for All Youth, which was approved by the Joint Policy Commission of the American Public Health Association.

 

 

 

Dr. Joel Bigley, associate professor of business, and Nolan Gouveia, assistant professor of business, co-authored a book titled Goodwill-based Motivation (OmniScriptum Publishing, 2021).

 

 

 

 

David Fouts, senior, and alumna Marina Griffin were selected as two of 21 photographers for the APA (American Photographic Artists) Untitled Show.

 

 

 

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, professor of communication, virtually presented research at the International Leadership Association conference on Oct. 24. The topic of her presentation was Adversity Quotient and Mentoring while Leading Student Teams.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Amanie Abdelmessih, professor of mechanical engineering, served as track co-chair at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 2021 InterPACK virtual conference on Oct. 26-28. The track was titled Heterogenous Integration. She also served as a judge for the technical poster competition.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Joshua Knabb, professor of psychology, published book. It is titled Christian Meditation in Clinical Practice: A Four-Step Model and Workbook for Therapists and Clients (InterVarsity Press, November 2021).

 

 

 

 

Dr. Troy Hinrichs, professor of criminal justice, Dr. Mark Blincoe, associate professor of history, and Mark Roberson, dean of the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design, made presentations at the International Leadership Association Annual Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on Oct. 20-24. Hinrichs co-presented If Walls Could Talk: Leadership Philosophy and Theology in Art. Roberson co-presented If Buildings Could Talk: Architecture and Leadership. Blincoe presented Leaders as Historian: Leveraging the Past.

 

Bryce Burditt, director of visits and events for Admissions, and his wife, Shelbie, welcomed a son on Aug. 15. Miles Bryce Burditt weighed 10 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 21 inches. He joins brother Levi, 4, and sister Scotland, 2.

 

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates