June 8, 2022

Courtyard Shakespeare Festival returns to the stage at CBU

After being silenced by the coronavirus for two years, the words of the Bard will be heard again at the Courtyard Shakespeare Festival at California Baptist University. This year the outdoor repertory production features “Much Ado about Nothing” and “Richard III.”

The shows run through June 18 in Smith Courtyard.

Frank Mihelich, director of “Much Ado” and adjunct professor at CBU, is excited for the festival’s return, which had been postponed due to the pandemic.

“I think that this festival is hugely important to the health of the arts culture of the Inland Empire,” he said. “A theater and arts community needs the theater that delves into and really embraces the classics. The classics are like Miracle-Gro for artists. If an actor can do the classics well, contemporary theatre is easy.”

The CBU version of “Much Ado” is set in the U.S. in 1945 after World War II. “Richard” is set in the near future, which is reflected in the musical score, costumes and less pomp and circumstance, but there is still swordplay.

Kendall Lloyd (’07), director of “Richard,” said the plays are different— “Richard” being dark and “Much Ado” being bright and fun—and he hopes audience-goers attend both.

“When you go to both shows you see the breadth of the work that Shakespeare brings to the theater,” Lloyd said. “Hopefully the festival serves as an introduction for our audience. And for those who are more seasoned in watching Shakespeare, hopefully it serves as nostalgic, where we can be together and take in this great work.”

Putting the festival on took a team effort. Dr. Josh Rodriguez, assistant professor of music theory and composition, composed original music for both shows. A choreographer helped the “Much Ado” cast learn swing dance. A swordplay instructor provided direction in “Richard.” The theatre department at CBU constructed the three-story Elizabethan stage in Smith Courtyard in four weeks and created the 110-seat theatre.

The casts are a mixture of CBU students, alumni and actors from the community, including a few from the Los Angeles area. Many are playing more than one role, either in the same play or in both.

Susanna Vaughan, an actor from Los Angeles, plays the mother in both plays.

“The last two years have shown me what a joy and privilege it is to enjoy an evening of theater together,” Vaughan said. “I think both of these plays have something to say about the power of words. Families and kingdoms can either be built up or torn down with words. However, while words are powerful, it’s our actions that reveal the truth of our character.”

David Cox (’17, ’19), plays the second watchman in both plays. He said the festival brings together actors who love Shakespeare and love the experience of creating live entertainment.

“I hope the audience will be able to escape from the stress of their everyday lives and experience the stories of joy, tragedy and laughter that we have created on stage,” Cox said.

Caleb Leal (’19) plays Claudio in “Much Ado” and Richmond, as well as other characters, in “Richard.” He said he hoped the audience is entertained by “Much Ado,” but also sees the grace and redemption found in the play. Meanwhile, “Richard” shows a world fraught with strife.

“We see a world of people so convinced they are on the right side of history that they will do anything to prove it. There is a civil war, and, in that, only countryman blood is shed,” Leal said. “It is a story I hope a modern audience walks away from, desiring unity over division and the hope for a strong sense of community rather than conflict.”

Courtyard Shakespeare Festival
“Much Ado About Nothing” 
8 p.m. June 9, 11, 15 and 17

“Richard III”
8 p.m. June 8, 10, 12, 16 and 18

Where: Smith Courtyard, California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA, 92504
Tickets: $12
Tickets or questions? Order online at calbaptist.edu/theatre or call the box office at 951-343-4319 

 

Doctor of Psychology program receives accreditation status

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program at California Baptist University recently received its “accredited, on contingency” status, retroactive to September 2021.

The five-year program began in 2018. The first cohort is set to graduate in the summer of 2023.

A team from the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Commission on Accreditation visited the program in September. The team reviewed the curriculum, instructional plans and student work.

The CBU program is now considered accredited, said Dr. Joshua Knabb, director of the PsyD program. The “on contingency” part means that CBU still needs to submit outcome data on interns in the program and graduates who have completed the program. This outcome data includes psychology licensing exam results and the number of students who remain in the field. To become fully accredited, the program must provide the required data by the time two cohorts have completed the program.

“Students graduating from an APA-accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology will have the confidence that the program meets APA’s strict requirements for quality training,” Knabb said. “In addition, many employers require applicants to have graduated from an APA-accredited program. A wide variety of job opportunities now will be available to graduates of the CBU PsyD program.”

In order to practice psychology in California, graduates need to pass two exams: the nationally required Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and the California Psychology Law and Ethics Examination.

“This is a monumental step for both the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and for CBU,” said Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. “We are very excited about the ways that the PsyD Program has continued to grow and this particular achievement signifies the excellence with which the program operates.”

 

CBU TV focuses training on news broadcast

Ignacio Dominguez, a journalism and new media junior at California Baptist University, joined CBU TV to improve his broadcasting abilities and to create Spanish segments for Lancers Noticias.

“Initially, it was challenging putting stories together and understanding how to capture everything I wanted correctly,” Dominguez said. “With time it became something so natural that instead of seeing it as work, I would begin looking forward to doing it every day—looking for stories, speaking to people and learning along the way.”

For students who are interested in pursuing a career in broadcast journalism, CBU TV provides hands-on experience. Part of Lancer Media Group, CBU TV gives students training in front of and behind the camera as they create and produce a news broadcast.

Students write, edit, design, shoot and produce the stories, building their portfolio and gaining knowledge while sharing news with their peers.

The broadcast stories cover news, sports and features on CBU’s campus and in the local community. Many segments are also filmed in Spanish for Lancers Noticias.

Dr. Victoria Brodie, department chair of communication arts, said CBU TV is a blessing to have as part of the Lancer Media Group. Since its inception in 2019, the program has gained notoriety on and off campus, with more students eager to join and increased views of its broadcast videos.

“CBU TV has produced excellent work that has been noticed by professionals in the field. With their broad scope of programming and dual-language approach, this outlet serves our students and region well,” Brodie said.

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, interim director of Lancer Media Group, said video has become an in-demand element of communicating.

“Learning to record, edit the video and be the face in front of the camera is a really important skill set,” Pearson said.

They also learn how to hold a microphone, how to maintain eye contact and what to do with their hands.

“Those are learned skills, sometimes by trial and error,” Pearson said.

Every week students gather in the newsroom in the James Building to plan and execute story ideas for the monthly shows. Many segments are filmed in the field to give students a glimpse of reporting in the real world. The on-campus studio newsroom is complete with a news desk surrounded by audio-visual equipment and a teleprompter. In the post-production room, students compile clips from the studio and field shots to create the broadcast. Once the show is approved, it is then uploaded to YouTube.

Because of his work with CBU TV, Dominguez has been approached by several news outlets who are interested in hiring him after he graduates.

“I would love to work for a national Spanish network and continue emphasizing the need for more Latinos in the media, telling stories of underrepresented communities and informing them,” Dominguez said.

Enthusiastic about the world of sports, Wyatt Mitchison (’22) was excited to share stories from CBU Athletics during his four years working with Lancer Media Group.

“You need to be on your toes, and you need to be ready to leave the script,” Mitchison said. “CBU TV has given me four years of work experience, which is something that most college graduates cannot say.”

To view CBU TV’s latest broadcasts, please visit this link.

 

CBU signs partnership with the California Air Resources Board

California Baptist University has joined six other educational institutions in signing memorandums of understanding with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to promote learning and awareness of California’s clean air efforts.

The memorandum will provide students educational opportunities at CARB’s new Southern California headquarters in Riverside. The 402,000-square-feet facility—designed to be the largest Zero Net Energy building in the United States—offers expanded vehicle emissions and testing capabilities for various vehicles and engines, according to its website.

The partnership will provide classes, facility tours and educational opportunities to encourage students to learn more about air quality, climate change and efforts to clean the air. It will also encourage interaction through seminars and lectures between CBU faculty, staff and students with CARB staff.

The memorandum also will facilitate collaboration in applying for grants and industry sponsorship, promotion of science careers, and student internship and capstone opportunities. The agreement will lead to training programs and joint air quality and climate change research.

“The invitation to be a part of promoting academic development and community involvement on air quality and climate change issues at the newly established California Air Resources Board headquarters is a wonderful opportunity for CBU,” said Dr. Charles Sands, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “We are excited for students, faculty and staff to become involved with this world-leading office that is headquartered right here in Riverside.”

The other educational institutions that signed are University of California, Riverside; Riverside Community College District; Riverside Unified School District; Alvord Unified School District; La Sierra University; and Riverside County Office of Education.

 

CBU hosts a boot camp for mission-driven entrepreneurs

The Department of Social Work at California Baptist University hosted a mission-driven entrepreneurship boot camp on May 21.

The department partnered with Caravanserai Project to provide 10 social entrepreneurs with training and support on business planning, strategizing their next steps and exploring solutions to challenges they face as small businesses. Participants were required to be incorporated as a nonprofit or for-profit organization in the state of California after July 2019 or be in the process of incorporation.

The entrepreneurs were students from the CBU Department of Social Work, community partners and local organizations.

Philip Breitenbucher, assistant professor of social work, said the partnership between Caravanserai and CBU led to the department being able to offer this opportunity to students and community partners.

“One of the pillars of the Master of Social Work program is social enterprise. Caravanserai offers a social entrepreneurship seed lab in which many of our alumni have participated,” said Breitenbucher, who is also the director of the office of field education. “Through that connection, the College of Behavioral Social Sciences and the Department of Social Work began a partnership (with Caravanserai).”

The boot camp included training such as planning for sustainable ventures, understanding beneficiaries and buyers, analyzing competitors and understanding business financials. Sessions were led by Caravanserai and their team of consultants along with CBU’s Department of Social Work faculty and staff.

At the end of the boot camp, students were given the opportunity to present a three-minute pitch to be eligible for a microgrant worth up to $10,000, provided by the California Dream Fund to help grow their business.

The pitch competition was judged by the CBSS Dean’s Community Advisory Council, which is made up of business, nonprofit and government leaders.

Guadalupe Buitron, an DSW student, pitched her business Financially Capable, which provides financial coaching services to first generation Latinos in the local community.

“I am a first-generation Latina and I really wanted to focus on that and give back to that community,” Buitron said. “I don’t have a business background, so a lot of the entrepreneurial information is brand new to me. With the information I learned, I am able to continue the process of growing and expanding my business.”

Roxanne Jackson, an MBA student, founded Jackson’s Kare, a business dedicated to assisting homeless veterans and the mentally disabled by finding them housing along with helping former inmates find purpose after incarceration.

Jackson said that the boot camp allowed her to connect with other like-minded organizations.

“I learned how to give a pitch, to be prepared and confident in what I’m speaking about,” Jackson said. “This event allowed me to network with other organizations that are working with the veterans and now I can partner with them.”

 

CBU students visit Peru for an environmental tour

Students at California Baptist University traveled to Peru to learn about the environment in that South American country on April 29-May 8.

Students in Field Practicum (ENV 495) learned more about the ecosystem, culture and geology of the planet using Peru as an example. Students saw firsthand the methods Peruvians use to conserve energy and how the environment plays a role in their way of life from growing their food to producing goods.

The tour explored Lima, Cuzco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo and Pisac, and it exposed the students to a variety of environments from busy city life to the quiet mountainside.

In addition to approaching the trip from an environmental perspective, students were able to appreciate the country of Peru from a historical and cultural viewpoint. The group acquainted themselves with locals; visited churches, temples and catacombs; and hiked Machu Picchu.

Meaghan Nunley, a biomedical sciences senior, said the trip changed her perspective as she was able to see firsthand how different the United States is from Peru.

“It made me appreciate the conveniences we are so blessed with,” Nunley said. “It has opened my mind seeing a developing country firsthand and observing how they make their own clothes, grow their own food and have little markets to make money.”

Corey Polk, director of Conferences and Events at CBU, accompanied students on the trip. He said a highlight of visiting Peru was learning how Peruvians constructed buildings on the sides of mountains.

“Seeing how they built from the standpoint of using the environment and drawing on all that useful space along the mountains was fascinating,” Polk said. “The height and proximity of where they built were literally on the tops of mountains. A lot of ingenuity went into it.”

Jaz Livingstone, an environmental science junior, said one of his favorite moments was visiting CooperarPerú, an organization that works in the areas of education, health and community development to help children and their families.

“These children are from very low-income neighborhoods, some with no electricity, running water or bathrooms,” Livingstone said. “This organization provides them with a safe and healthy learning environment. We could see the impact of poverty and the corrupt government on the community, which made me want to contribute to their effort.”

 

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences will be restructured

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at California Baptist University is undergoing organizational changes that will become effective July 1.

“The restructuring will benefit both students and faculty with continuity and collaboration,” said Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

The programs will be divided into three divisions: social work, psychology, and family and culture. Currently, social work has its own department, and the remaining programs are grouped by undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Dr. Charles Lee-Johnson will continue to oversee social work but as associate dean. Dr. Joshua Knabb will become the associate dean of psychology; and Dr. Doug Wallace will be the associate dean of family and culture. Additionally, Dr. Mischa Routon will be the associate dean of faculty development, and Dr. Antonio Mejico will be the associate dean of student services.

“The changes provide synergy within the academic disciplines,” Gustafson said. “There will be continuity in curriculum, in leadership and research teams. I think that benefits both students and faculty.”

Gustafson said since she became dean in 2014, the number of students has grown from more than 700 to 1,800 and the number of faculty from 20 to 60. Additionally, the Center for the Study of Human Behavior, the Center for Sport and Performance Psychology, the Center for Community Engagement and Social Innovation, and the Psychological Services of Riverside clinic have opened.

“The restructure is something to celebrate because of the growth that we’ve had. It’s like we’re catching up, as well as building infrastructure as we continue to grow and develop,” Gustafson said.

“The transformation that has been occurring in the CBSS over the past few years is now being demonstrated in a more formal manner with this new structure,” said Dr. Charles Sands, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We are excited about the next steps for this dynamic college as it continually seeks to be a difference maker for so many.”

 

Distinguished faculty and employee are honored

California Baptist University honored two outstanding faculty members and the 2022 Employee of the Year on May 5 during the annual faculty and staff awards banquet.

The CBU Board of Trustees each year selects the Distinguished Professor and Distinguished Scholar award recipients.

Dirk Dallas, assistant professor of graphic design, was named the Distinguished Professor, given to a faculty member who has established an impressive record of service to CBU.

Dallas is also the program lead for graphic design and visual experience in the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design (CAVAD).

Mark Roberson, founding dean of CAVAD, said Dallas accomplishes more in any given year than seems humanly possible.

“Dirk’s scholarly and creative endeavors are at the very highest levels of his profession,” Roberson said. “His service to the university, community and profession exceeds expectations.”

Since Dallas has taken the role of program lead, the program has flourished under his leadership. Students in the program won a record number of national awards in 2021, and the program curriculum has grown to help students prepare for their careers.

Dr. Yeesock Kim, professor of civil engineering and construction management in the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering, was named Distinguished Scholar. Kim was honored for a research project titled “Artificial Intelligence for Motion Tracking Cancer Cells Under Complex External Stimulus.” The project, funded by the National Institutes of Health, developed A.I. models to characterize cancer cell movements.

To help with the collection of a variety of cancer data sets in the Harvard Medical School, Kim developed a new A.I. computer model. The model has a positive impact because it can be a therapeutic target for cancerous growths.

“This project typifies the kind of scholarly research that this award is intended to recognize,” Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, said.

Brittany Davies, director of academic operations for the College of Health Science, received the 2022 Employee of the Year award. CBU’s Executive Council selected the Employee of the Year recipient from among the staff members chosen as Employee of the Month during the academic year. Any CBU employee may submit a nomination for Employee of the Month to that nominee’s supervisor.

“Brittany serves as a great model for the full-time staff, interns and student workers under her supervision,” Dr. David Pearson, dean of the College of Health Science, said. “She is motivating to everyone else around her, especially me, because she takes such great pride in her work.”

In total, 166 employees received service awards this year for combined service to CBU totaling 1,390 years. That includes 91 who marked five years of service each, 50 employees who received 10-year service pins, 18 employees recognized for 15 years of service, two for 20 years and five who received 25 years of service recognition.

 

Students showcase photos for the first Spring Show

The exhibition featured work from sophomores, juniors and seniors from the photography and graphic design and visual experience programs.

Previously the CBU photography shows only highlighted seniors, but with the growth of the program and larger photography community at CBU, the Spring Show gives additional students the chance to have their work viewed by their peers and the public.

Storage containers were used to create a temporary pop-up providing over 400 feet of space, located on Lancer Lane and Campus View, next to the JoAnn Hawkins Music Building. A yearlong fundraising effort raised money for the event, said Christopher Kern, photography program lead.

Each container featured photographic prints with gallery-style lighting.

Students showcased their portfolios from images gathered over the course of the semester, in addition to yearlong capstone projects. Images were captured on digital and film cameras.

Kern, who is also an assistant professor of photography, said the program is blessed with the opportunity to send photographers out into the world.

“The event is a culmination of curriculum changes, the shift in culture, new facilities, new faculty and most of all the quality and quantity of student work,” Kern said.

The photography program at CBU aims to connect its graduating seniors with industry professionals to give them critical reviews and expose their work to the world, Kern said. On April 30, CBU photography connected its students to top industry and academic professionals through a series of in-person and video calls for reviews. That evening, more than 500 people attend the opening reception.

David Fouts, a photography senior who just graduated, said the show is a great way to expose his work not only in Riverside but also to professional photographers across the globe. He said the program has been incredibly beneficial.

“The faculty, especially Christopher Kern, has been one of the best mentors, professors and friends,” Fouts said. “Our program has pushed us conceptually as well as technically to be one of the top photography programs in the country.”

Raymond Alva, a photography senior who also just graduated, featured work from his senior thesis project, which focused on the documentation of skateboard culture.

“I hope to shed light on the skateboarding community in a way that others might not have seen before,” Alva said. “You must invest yourself in skateboarding to see it for what it is. Once you do so, you can see and understand the bond and loyalty that skateboarders have for each other as well as for the sport. This show forces us to think about our work in ways we might not have before.”

 

CBU sends first wave of ISP teams after two-year hiatus

California Baptist University began its mobilization season this week as volunteers departed abroad for the first wave of International Service Projects (ISP).

This summer, more than 140 participants comprising 16 teams will serve in 13 countries. Teams will depart from CBU until June 20 and will visit areas in Africa, Asia, Central America and Europe.

ISP was put on a two-year hiatus caused by the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. With travel restrictions constantly changing, teams were encouraged to be flexible as plans could alter or be cancelled with little notice.

John King, director of mobilization, spoke during a send-off of a team going to Northern Europe on May 5. The team will be working with immigrants and university students. King said leaders and students were not guaranteed international travel would happen this summer, but they felt God calling them to bring change to the world.

“They’ve been equipped to share the faith,” King said. “We are so grateful to God here in this moment. There are so many ways that He’s answered prayers along the way.”

Before departing, teams gather with family and friends to pray at the Kugel, a large granite globe. The base of the Kugel is inscribed with scripture from Matthew 28:19-20, symbolizing CBU’s commitment to the Great Commission.