In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

Scores of CBU student athletes awarded academic honors

Lancer Athletics enjoyed great success on the playing field and in the classroom in its first season in NCAA Division I.

A total of 132 Lancers earned Western Athletic Conference (WAC) All-Academic recognition in 2018-19. To be eligible for Academic All-WAC Honors, a student-athlete must have completed at least one academic year at CBU, have at least a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average and have participated in at least 50 percent of the team’s contests.

Overall, CBU’s 18 intercollegiate athletic teams achieved a cumulative 3.355 GPA for the 2018-19 academic year. That figure was greater than the 3.24 GPA for 2017-18, and was an improvement on its previous department best GPA of 3.267 from 2016-17.

“The Lancers put the STUDENT in student-athlete,” said Dr. Micah Parker, director of Athletics. “Not only did our teams have a terrific year in our first year of D-I, they managed their new schedules and set a record for department GPA.”

On the field of competition, CBU logged five top-three WAC finishes in the regular season. Lancers women’s cross-country and baseball teams brought home the university’s first two conference championships in the NCAA Division I era.

Additionally, five CBU teams qualified for postseason tournaments (women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming, and men’s and women’s basketball). Both basketball teams hosted first-round postseason games and both the men’s and women’s water polo teams ended the year ranked in the top-25 in NCAA D-I rankings (men 16th, women 25th).

 

CBU students study historic architecture on trip to Italy

Rebekah Bottjen, a California Baptist University student, was amazed as she walked through the gardens at Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa, both in Italy. She greatly admired all the historic architecture.

“The Hadrian’s Villa is actually ancient Roman ruins, so it felt like I was being transported through time as I was wandering through it,” Bottjen said.

Bottjen was one of nearly 20 Master of Architecture students from CBU who spent five weeks in Italy, visiting and studying a spectrum of architecture through many eras. The trip was coordinated by the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design (CAVAD).

“After experiencing everything, I realized that the history of the world abroad has such an amazing impact on our world today,” Bottjen said. “Architecture brings people together in a way we wouldn’t normally realize and the history of Italy shows it well.”

Keelan Kaiser, program director of architecture; Dr. Katherine Papineau, assistant dean in CAVAD; and Dr. David Ogoli, professor of architecture, led the group of students. The team, left for Italy on May 8, and began their tour in Florence, studying medieval and Renaissance art, culture and architecture. The team also traveled to Venice, Vicenza, Verona and ended in Rome, exploring architectural works from the antiquity and Baroque as well as contemporary periods.

“Since the beginning of recorded history, architects have traveled to heritage sites to study and draw the monuments to better understand their craft and how buildings endure. Our students embraced this rite of passage on the ultimate field trip,” Kaiser said.

Along with taking photos, videos and writing blogs, the schedule included 41 drawing sessions.

“That’s really important because sitting still for half an hour and drawing all the details of any particular façade from a Renaissance masterpiece is an educational experience in and of itself,” Kaiser said.

Gerald Portea, an architecture graduate student, said the trip was inspirational.

“Architects can look through history and decipher what things worked and what things did not,” Portea said. “After returning home from this trip, I am more motivated to look throughout architectural history and beyond the architecture of the United States in my studies and my pursuit of architectural licensure, for it will help me learn more methods and techniques so that I can be the best architect I can be.”

 

CBU Language and Literacy Camp serves kids with hearing loss

Graduate students from California Baptist University and a group of children gathered around a makeshift campfire to chat about tasty treats.

“What do you need first to make a s’more?” a CBU student asked. The children responded by communicating using American Sign Language (ASL). Layer by layer, the kids signed each ingredient while preparing their treats, which they proceeded to eat.

The activity was part of the Language and Literacy Camp organized by the Clinical Education Center at CBU. Nineteen children who are deaf or hard of hearing attended. They ranged in age from almost 3 years to 8-year-olds. CBU hosted the free camp that was offered in six sessions over a three-week period in June.

Graduate students from the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology program led the activities and speech therapy sessions.

“The camp is an enrichment program to foster literacy and literacy awareness,” said Dr. Danette Bonillo, director of the Clinical Education Center.

Children usually sign in ASL, but ASL has different grammatical structures from English, Bonillo said. For example, articles are missing and word order is different in ASL.

“We want them to be aware that written text is different than how they sign,” Bonillo said. “We want to help them learn how to read and write sentences that are grammatically accurate so that can then foster ongoing learning.”

The camp also gives CBU students opportunities to learn about deaf culture and to run a group program, Bonillo said. The students created the lessons, activities and parent handouts.

“We’re empowering our students on how to run groups, how to coordinate and work together as a team to build a successful camp,” Bonillo said. “The other thing I would love for them to get out of this is to meet a need. When you have the ability to create something amazing because there is a need, you need to do it, whether it’s in your comfort zone or not.”

Kelcey Kornek, a CBU graduate student, increased her sign vocabulary while assisting at the camp.

“A challenge is when they sign something we don’t know. And just like any other language, sign has its own dialect,” Kornek said. “The biggest reward has been learning so much sign in such a quick time. I’ve learned a lot and it’s fun to be able to communicate with them.”

Heidi Edwards, a CBU graduate student, said helping the children persevere in communicating was both the biggest challenge and the biggest reward.

“I try to keep them motivated and keep a positive attitude. Once we do work through something, the more times they do that and have success, the more willing they are to keep trying to communicate,” Edwards said.

 

CBU theatre program grows on and off the stage

The stage has gone dark as the theatre program at California Baptist University concluded its fourth annual Courtyard Shakespeare Festival on June 22. The summer production of “Hamlet” and “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” finished the 2018-19 theatre schedule that featured four additional productions (“Lost in Yonkers,” “She Loves Me,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “Barnum.”).

Frank Mihelich, associate professor of theatre, said he is excited about the growth and direction of the theatre program at CBU.  Mihelich noted that four 2019 theatre graduates were accepted into graduate schools.

“For me, grad school is a sign that we’re doing something right,” Mihelich said. “Let’s get [our students] in front of people because the talent is big at CBU.”

Mihelich said that each year the department aims to improve on previous year’s production quality.

Theatre students work hard on their craft but are also required to work backstage, said Lee Lyons, professor of theatre. Sometimes the students discover they are better at lighting design or makeup than acting, he noted.

“You’re as important as the actor because in that moment, you’re trained to do something and nobody can just step in and do it,” said Lyons of the backstage crew. “Our goal is teaching students, taking their raw material and hopefully seeing real growth.”

Nicole “Koli” Marks, a theatre senior, was the assistant designer for hair and makeup for “Pride and Prejudice.” She was tasked with researching fashion styles of the early 19th century.

Putting on a play is a team effort, Marks said.

“As a performer, you can’t get up on stage unless you have an awesome backstage team,” Marks said.

While the students are at CBU, they are treated as professionals, Mihelich said.

“The American theatre is a tough place to work and make a career,” Mihelich said. “If they are trained to work in the professional American theatre, they will be prepared for whatever the Lord might call them into, be that teaching, drama-therapy, applied theatre or any other number of theatrical endeavors.”

Ryan Lee, a communication studies junior, played the leading role in “Barnum.” From remembering all his lines to doing magic tricks and costume changes, Lee had to work on enhancing his multitasking performance skills.

“Our show is so unique in the fact that it is not just like any other musical. It’s a musical circus,” Lee said.

In April, the theater program at CBU received 27 awards from the Inland Theatre League for its Shakespeare and main stage performances in 2018. The awards came in the categories of acting, set design, costume design, lighting design, musical director and director.

“We’ve got a creative band of people that is allowing us to do high quality work for college theatre,” Lyons said.

Mihelich said adding the Shakespeare Festival has helped grow the students and the reach of the theatre program.

“Shakespeare is the heavy lifting of acting training. If you master Shakespeare, all the other stuff is easier,” Mihelich said. “We have students who through class or the main stage or through the Shakespeare Festival are grappling with the classics more. The classics is like the Miracle-Gro for actors.”

The festival also brings in actors from the community and occasionally professional actors, exposing students to a new level of acting, Lyons said.

“That allows us to bring our acting quality up a bit more and to cast people who bring 30 years of experience as actors in the community.” Lyons said. “For the students, it’s a Shakespeare company where you come in with these small roles and begin to find your way up as the years go by.”

 

Family Updates

Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter, assistant professor of social work, gave a presentation at the San Bernardino County Children’s Network Perinatal Mental Health Training on June 11. The presentation was titled Barriers and Maternal Mental Health Concerns in a Primary Care Setting. The training was done in collaboration with the Inland Empire Maternal Mental Health Collaborative.

 

 

 

Dr. Charles Sands, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, was honored by the Chia Tai International Hospital in Jilin, China, at a celebration on June 17. He has worked with the hospital since 2007 in various roles, including management consultant. His new roles are chief operations consultant and the chief public health consultant.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, professor of communication, spoke on a panel for a Public Relations Society of America-Inland Empire event held in Riverside on June 19. She shared research on generational diversity in the workplace.

 

 

 

 

Christopher Kern, assistant professor of photography, was master of ceremonies and chairperson for the Insight Exchange Network’s Creative Operations conference in Los Angeles on June 20-21. He was also a speaker and moderator for a panel discussion titled All Things Talent! Managing, Resourcing, and Motivating Creative Staff.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Keith Hekman, associate professor of aerospace, industrial and mechanical engineering, presented a paper at the American Society of Engineering Education 126th annual conference in Tampa, Florida, on June 16. The title was Automated Grading of Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets.

 

 

 

Dale Lee, director for information security and projects for information Technology Services, co-presented two sessions at the Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities’ Annual Commission on Technology Conference in Wheaton, Illinois, on June 5-6. The first session was a panel discussion titled MultiFactor Authentication: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. The second session was titled Outsourcing Cybersecurity: Two Perspectives.

 

 

 

Dr. Berniece Bruinius Alspach, associate professor of English, took a course at the Digital Humanities Summer Institute in Victoria, B.C., June 3-7. The course was titled Web APIs with Python, in which participants investigated and practiced the use of data analysis in literary studies.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Carol Minton-Ryan, professor of sociology, and Dr. Douglas Wallace, associate professor of sociology, took a group of students in Global Social Service Engagement Practicum to the Netherlands on May 7-16. The group had studied the culture of the Netherlands in the spring 2019. The theme of the practicum was “Loss of a Generation,” focusing on the impact of the Holocaust and contemporary Alzheimer’s therapy. They visited sites such as the Anne Frank Museum, the Corrie ten Boom House and the concentration camp Westerbork. They also visited the Hogeweyk Village, a specially designed village for seniors with dementia.

 

 

Dr. Candace Vickers, associate professor of communication disorders, and two speech-language pathology graduate students, Daniel Castillo and Regina Reyes, assisted at an aphasia awareness event in Brea, California, on June 4. They provided information and resources to persons with aphasia. Additionally, Vickers presented at the Brain Injury and Support Group in Riverside on June 19. The title of her presentation was Working with your amazing brain – Tips after stroke and brain injury. Three students, Castillo, Reyes and Elyssa Oostdyk, provided one-on-one assistance to survivors.

 

 

 

Dr. Veola Vazquez, professor of psychology, had an article published in the journal Mental Health, Religion, and Culture. The title of the article is Relationship stigma and Black-White interracial marital satisfaction. Her co-authors, Isabel Otero and Jennifer Goodlow, are CBU graduates.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of CBU, spoke at a Good Morning Riverside event hosted by the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce on June 13. Ellis presented a campus update to more than 250 attendees.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Chris Morgan, dean of the School of Christian Ministries, edited Biblical Spirituality (June 30), which addresses spirituality from the perspective of the Bible, exploring topics such as the Trinity; divine sovereignty and human responsibility; and the church. Additionally, Morgan, Dr. Anthony Chute, professor of church history, Dr. Greg Cochran, professor of applied theology, and Ben Skaug, adjunct professor of Christian ministries, wrote chapters for the book.

 

 

Evan Lo, assistant director of operations/technology for Enrollment Services, was named employee of the month for July. His nomination included the following statements: “Evan is quick to help everyone in need in the department. Evan is always willing to expand his duties as our needs grow and he does so with joy and excellence. He is also being trained on new responsibilities. And he has taken every new aspect of his job with eagerness and determination.”

 

 

 

Dr. Deron Walker, professor of English, had an article published in the journal Educational Review (June 2019). It was co-authored with Dr. Soung Hwa Walker, adjunct professor of psychology, and titled Empowering care in the inner-city: Meeting standards with high expectations.  

 

 

 

 

Dr. Kathryn Short, professor of education, took part in the Autism Researchers 2019 Roundtable Panel webinar on June 27. She spoke on her research focusing on an examination of the effect of the use of NAO, a humanoid robot, as a communication tool for preschool children diagnosed with autism.

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for information technology services, recorded an episode of Higher Ed AV podcast live from the InfoComm 2019, the AV industry’s largest trade show, in Orlando, Florida, on June 12. He also was a guest on the Church Tech Weekly podcast, Church Tech Weekly Episode 305: Producing Worship; on the Trade Show Minute podcast by rAVe Publications, Joe Way Of California Baptist University; and on the AV Road House podcast, AV Road House [Resurrection] Episode 1: Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends (Part 1).”

 

 

Andrew Cress, institutional effectiveness coordinator for Academic Affairs, presented a paper at the Tyndale Fellowship Conference in Cambridge, England, on June 28. The title of the paper was Exorcism and the Kingdom of God in the Ministry of Jesus: An Open Question.

 

 

 

Dr. Terri Thompson, associate professor of nursing, was the keynote speaker at the 53rd World Congress of Nursing and Health Care in Brisbane, Australia, on June 21-22. The presentation was titled Preconception Health Education and the Impact on Maternal and Newborn Health Outcomes. She was also selected as the chair for the conference sessions.

 

 

 

Jennifer Zamora, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, completed a faculty program at the Teaching Excellence Academy of the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine in May. The program is open to faculty of any university who are recommended and who wish to learn about evidence-based medicine and also conduct clinical and academic research.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Erin Smith, associate professor of psychology, and her husband, Raider (’11, ’12), welcomed a son on May 22. Lincoln James Smith weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 21.5 inches. He joins sisters Evelyn, 6, and Penelope, 4.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Michelle Nielsen Hernandez, associate professor of mathematics, and her husband, Josue Hernandez, welcome a daughter on June 10. Isabella McKenzie Hernandez weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 18.5 inches.

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CBU Speech-Language students provide assistance

Camiryn Hubert, a California Baptist University graduate student, asked her client if he wanted to add more purple to the picture. A few minutes later, she asked if he wanted to add more grass. The questions were aimed at encouraging her client to converse as he painted a picture of the hills covered in a super bloom of flowers.

The activity was part of an exercise for a Communication Recovery Group Camp hosted by the Clinical Education Center at CBU. The recovery group is tailored for individuals who have suffered either a stroke or a serious brain injury. Graduate students from the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology provide individual and group therapy during the camp.

Most of the clients suffer from aphasia—an acquired loss of language skills due to stroke or brain injury, said Dr. Candace Vickers, program director of communication disorders. The therapy they receive helps them learn how to communicate again, Vickers added.

“We understand that people in a wheelchair need to go up a ramp instead of jumping a curb. For people with aphasia, they need a similar ramp, a communication ramp,” Vickers said. “That ramp is provided when the student allows the patient a way to respond, whether it’s repeating a word or pointing to a word.”

The CBU camp is free, with six sessions held over four weeks.

“The clients benefit from conversation support techniques to help them engage in a small-group conversation with other people who have the same challenges. That in itself is powerful because you realize you’re not the only one and you’re not alone,” Vickers said.

Graduate students in speech-language pathology are required to earn 400 clinical hours. This camp also helps them in their training.

The students learn how to assess, prescribe and carry out therapy, Vickers said. They also learn how to connect with their patients.

“It’s really important that they learn about the person beyond their medical problem. That becomes [conversation] fodder for the group,” Vickers said.

Madison Dreyer, a graduate student who has worked with children before, said she is learning different approaches working with adults.

“With kids you’re teaching language, with adults you’re restoring language,” Dreyer said. “With the adult population, you get to have meaningful conversation with them. They totally know what’s going on. It’s nice to interact with them.”

Mayor and Riverside residents visit CBU flight school

Some 100 Riverside residents took the opportunity to visit the Department of Aviation Science at California Baptist University to learn about the recent onsite improvements.

Mayor Rusty Bailey’s Connect with the Mayor Walk program encourages residents to participate in a brief walk, organized by the mayor’s office, through various communities in Riverside. On June 8, the mayor led residents around the perimeter of the Riverside Municipal Airport. At the conclusion of the walk, individuals had the opportunity to tour the facilities within the Department of Aviation Science at CBU.

Bailey, a former helicopter pilot for the United States Army, took a spin in CBU’s latest flight simulator. The simulator had a program flight plan over the skies of Riverside.

Dr. John Marselus, chair of the aviation science program at CBU, said the simulator has a 6-foot high screen that allows the pilot to see 210 degrees. The switches are exactly like a plane, and the simulator matches the aerodynamic feel so as a student goes faster, the simulator changes its feel, he added.

“What you learn in the sim is the same as if you’re in the air. But it’s in a controlled environment,” Marselus said. “The simulator brings an incredible dimension that enhances your safety and reduces risk. It will bring the students through more effectively and efficiently. We can introduce everything that the students are going to do in the air on the ground first.”

Residents also had the opportunity to tour one of CBU’s hangars and several aircraft that were parked nearby. In December 2017, CBU purchased 12 new aircraft—eight Piper Archers, two Piper Arrows and two Piper Seminoles—to replace most of the older fleet.

Marselus told the crowd that CBU has the newest aircraft of any aviation science department in the country.

Gateway Seminary names distinguished alumni

Gateway Seminary has named Dr. Mark Wyatt of California Baptist University and Kelly King of Lifeway as 2019 Distinguished Alumni. The two were honored June 12 during the 2019 Alumni and Friends Luncheon at the Southern Baptist Convention in Birmingham, Alabama.

“We are proud of the outstanding accomplishment Mark and Kelly have shown throughout their careers as they exemplified a commitment to shaping leaders and expanding God’s kingdom around the world,” President Jeff Iorg said.

Wyatt has served as vice president for marketing and communication at California Baptist University since 2002. He leads a professional staff responsible for branding, advertising, public relations, media relations, publications and internet marketing activities. Wyatt also oversees the use of campus facilities by campus groups and external clients.

Prior to joining the CBU administration he served more than 18 years as chief communications officer for the California Southern Baptist Convention and editor of The California Southern Baptist newspaper. He is a former pastor with nearly 40 years of higher education administration, communications, journalism and media experience, including 14 years as a radio and television news reporter and anchor.

Wyatt holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in theatre arts from Valdosta State University in Georgia; a master of divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.; and a doctor of ministry degree in executive leadership from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, now Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Wyatt and his wife, Jean, have been married 48 years and reside in Riverside. They have three adult children and nine grandchildren.

King serves as women’s ministry specialist for Lifeway Christian Resources, where she coordinates training and equipping events for women in leadership. She was previously the women’s missions and ministries specialist for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, a post she held for more than 11 years. Prior to her denominational role, she was the women’s ministry director at her church, Council Road Baptist, located in the Oklahoma City metro. She currently leads the women’s ministry as a volunteer at Green Hill Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.

She holds a master of theology degree from Gateway Seminary. She and her husband, Vic, have been married 30 years and have served together in ministry teaching students and young adults. They have two adult children, Conner and Courtney, and a son-in-law, Gaige.

 

Shakespeare Festival brings Hamlet, friends to outdoor stage

The words of The Bard live on at the fourth annual Courtyard Shakespeare Festival that started on June 7. This year the outdoor repertory production features “Hamlet” along with “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.”

“Hamlet” follows the anguish of Prince Hamlet, who lives with his father’s murderer—his uncle Claudius—who has seized the throne and married Hamlet’s mother. Tom Stoppard’s tragicomedy “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” is focused around two minor characters from “Hamlet” who suddenly find themselves on the road to a castle, although they really are not sure why or where they came from.

Lee Lyons, professor of theatre, said when he first read “Hamlet” at age 19, the words went over his head. Shortly after, he saw a performance and the story came together. Now, years later, Lyons is directing the play for the first time.

“Even though the words may be unfamiliar, if the actor knows what they’re saying, the audience gets it—the beautiful poetry, Shakespeare’s description of the human experience,” Lyons said. “As I read ‘Hamlet’ and worked on it, it comes alive. It’s so moving, this man’s struggle to know what is the right thing to do.”

Meanwhile, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern” is a spoof on “Hamlet,” said Frank Mihelich, associate professor of theatre and the play’s director. He said he hopes the audience will see both shows.

“They will get a more full experience. It’s essentially one big play that takes place over two nights,” Mihelich said. “If you come and see ‘Hamlet’ and the next night you see ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,’ it’s like watching the same play from the back side of it.”

The theatre department at CBU constructed the outdoor theater in Stamps Courtyard to stage the plays.

“There’s just something about Shakespeare, summer nights, stars and beautiful clouds, with actors speaking 400-year-old text that still talks about the human condition. We can still relate to it,” Lyons said.

Emily Feaster, a theatre senior, plays a lady in waiting in “Hamlet” and a traveling renaissance actor in “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.”

“I hope the audience walks away with a greater appreciation for Shakespeare,” Feaster said. “Shakespeare is timeless because it relates so profoundly to the lives of people in every era as he gets to the root of human nature and holds a mirror up to it.”

Caleb Leal, who graduated from CBU in May and plays Guildenstern in both plays, said he loves performing outside.

“It really adds a layer of immersion for not only the audience, but for us the actors as well,” Leal said. “It is also more of a challenge, fighting the ambient sounds of nature and the surrounding city, but the challenge is exciting.”

“Hamlet”
When: 8 p.m. June 13, 15, 19 and 21
“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”
When: 8 p.m. June 14, 16, 20 and 22
Where: Smith Courtyard, California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA, 92504
Tickets: $12
Tickets or questions? Call the theatre box office at 951-343-4319 or email: mhyde@calbaptist.edu

 

 

Family Updates

Shawnn Koning, university registrar, was a presenter at the Jenzabar Annual Meeting on June 1, 2019. Her presentation was titled Streamlining NCAA Athlete Eligibility and Reporting Using CX and Congnos.

 

 

 

 

The College of Health Science, in partnership with university advancement, announced the creation of the first endowed scholarship for the college. The $25,000 endowment was created through the generosity of Butch and Debbie Fahnestock, Dr. David Pearson and his wife Suzanne in addition to several members of the College of Health Science Dean’s Executive Council.  The Fahnestock Family Scholarship will be awarded to students in the public health sciences department.

 

 

 

 

Andrew Cress, institutional effectiveness coordinator for academic affairs, presented at the 2019 Association for Institutional Research Forum in Denver on May 29. The title of his presentation was Getting a Seat at the Table: Simple Tips for Increased Access.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Joshua Knabb, associate professor of psychology, had an article published in the journal Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (May 2019). It was titled The Communion With God Scale.

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Zamora, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, and CBU students provided a medical outreach for a migrant population in Oasis, California, on May 11. They administered health screenings, patient education and other medical care.

 

 

 

Mitchell Spezzaferri, adjunct professor of psychology, presented a poster at the annual convention for the Association for Psychological Science in Washington, D.C., on May 25. It was titled Social-cognition in Individuals with Hemispherectomy.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, professor of civil engineering and construction management, presented a paper at the 13th International Conference on Applications of Statistics and Probability in Civil Engineering in Seoul, South Korea on May 26-30. The title was Conditional Probability Approach of Assessing the Risk of High Ocean Waves. Co-authors included Dr. Yeesock Kim, associate professor of civil engineering and construction management, and Nathanial Small, a CBU undergraduate in civil engineering.

 

 

 

Stephen Morris, adjunct professor of education, gave the keynote speech at a Riverside Unified School District’s Digital Institute seminar on June 3. It was titled Don’t Let Fear Win.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Robert Pate, associate professor of psychology, presented two trainings sessions to psychology interns at the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health on May 24 and 31. The trainings were titled Faith Integration in Psychotherapy and Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples.

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for information technology services, was a guest on an episode of the AV Jam UK Podcast. The episode was titled The Live One. He also co-taught a webinar for members of the Consortium of College and University Media Centers on June 6. It was titled Brainstorming in the Cloud: Sustainability of Installations and Hidden Costs of the Future.

 

 

 

Dr. Ogbochi McKinney, assistant professor of public health for Online and Professional Studies division, has been credentialed as a Master Certified Health Education Specialist by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing Inc. The certified specialist is the highest credential for a health education practitioner, who has met the required academic qualifications; passed the competency-based examination; and satisfies the continuing education requirement to maintain the national credential.

 

 

 

Dr. Ricardo Cordero-Soto, associate professor of mathematics, Dr. Linn Carothers, professor of mathematics, and Dr. Lisa Hernández, professor of mathematics, presented papers at the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences Biennial Conference in Marion, Indiana, on May 29- June 1. The title of their talks was: The Applicability of Mathematics and the Naturalist Die; Mom and The JABEZ Principle–Getting from Vulnerable to Resilient; and Mosaic Number of Torus Knots.

 

 

 

 

Rich Simpson, registrar for Online and Professional Studies, and his wife, Sarah (‘04), welcomed a son on May 14. Evan Reed Simpson weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 20¾ inches long. He joins siblings Noah, 11, and Emma, 9.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Gretchen Bartels, associate professor of English for the Online and Professional Studies division, and Kevin Ray were married in Poway, California, on June 1.

 

 

 

 

 

Kristin Holderman, director of campus activities, and her husband, Donnie, welcomed a son on May 22. Crosby John Ezekiel weighed 7 pounds, 12 inches and measured 20 inches in length. He joins brother, Finn, 2.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

 

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CBU Online launches Christian Leadership master’s program

The Online and Professional Studies division (CBU Online) at California Baptist University is now offering a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership program. The degree offering can be completed fully online.

The program equips students with leadership skills based upon biblical principles that are necessary for serving in a church leadership role or for individuals seeking advancement in their current career pursuits.

“The M.A. in Christian Leadership online degree program provides students with relevant leadership skills, while also enhancing their biblical foundation,” said Pamela Daly, vice president for CBU Online.  “The degree program is available fully online, providing students with the ability to maintain their daily lives while participating in rigorous and rewarding courses.”

The program consists of 30 major units that take an average of 12 months to complete. The Master of Arts in Christian Leadership program includes courses such as Leadership Strategy and Planning (LDR510), Entrepreneurial Leadership in a Christian Context (LDR 575) and Communication Principles and the Church (ORG 530).

Daly said the curriculum for this program is tailored to help students be well rounded with the obstacles leaders encounter. Leadership opportunities continue to grow in church, nonprofit organizations and elsewhere in the professional sector, and CBU Online wants to help shape individuals for effective and ethical leadership, she noted.

For more information on the Master of Arts in Christian Leadership program, contact CBU Online by calling 877-228-5657, or by emailing cbuonline@calbaptist.edu.

 

Second wave of CBU volunteers en route for global service

California Baptist University’s second wave of volunteer teams have departed for their International Service Projects (ISP).

Ten teams departed from CBU May 10-20 to the continents of South America, Europe and Africa.

Per CBU tradition, before an ISP team’s departure, students, along with their family and friends gather to pray at the Kugel, a globe that rests on a base with the scripture from Matthew 28:19-20 etched in stone.

Kris Smith, assistant director of mobilization, encouraged family members and friends to pray for the team members departing on May 20. At the Kugel prayer, she cited a quote from evangelist Oswald Chambers: “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work, prayer is the greater work.”

“As you send the students out, I want you to understand that the role you are playing at home, the work is to pray,” Smith said. “As they go out, this is where the real work begins.”

Daniel Garcia, program coordinator of new student programs in Community Life, is co-leading a team to North Africa that will seek to engage in cultural immersion by meeting and connect with local people.

He encouraged his team at the send-off event to be Gospel minded on the trip.

“Anyone we come in contact with, we want to be able to have a conversation with them that will hopefully lead to the gospel being shared,” Garcia said. “Pray for boldness. I want all of us to be bold enough to spark up a conversation with a stranger and be discerning enough to know when the Holy Spirit is leading us to have a specific conversation.”

Tammy Pettit, assistant to the director of Facilities and Planning, is leading a team to Poland. Members of her team prepared to perform college ministry and youth camp retreat activities.

“Pray that we can build relationships with those people and for the people in Poland to have open hearts and ears to listen to the Gospel that we’re going to share with them,” Pettit said.

This summer, nearly 300 volunteers, comprising 35 teams, will serve in 25 countries. The teams will conduct theater and sports camps, assist in health care practices and interact with other cultures.

 

Baseball wins share of WAC championship in first year

California Baptist University secured a share of the Western Athletic Conference championship with a 9-4 victory over New Mexico State University on May 18. The first place finish results in the university’s first team sport to earn a regular season title since the Lancers transitioned into the WAC this year.

CBU’s win (35-20, 19-8) created a three-way tie for first place in the WAC standings, with NM State (37-15, 19-8) and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (34-19, 19-8). There is no tiebreaker for regular-season championship in the WAC, which allows CBU to share the co-championship title in 2019.

Read the full story here.

 

Family Updates

Dan St. Marseille, lecturer of music, received an Outstanding Arts Educator Award from the Orange County Department of Education on May 9. He was recognized for innovative teaching strategies, visionary arts curriculum and positive impact on student achievement as director of instrumental music at the Conservatory at the Orange County School of the Arts.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jeanette Guignard, associate professor of organizational leadership, Dr. Cammy Purper, associate professor of education, and, Dr. Greg Bowden, professor of education, all for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the 2019 WASCUC Academic Resources Conference held in Anaheim on April 11. The title of the presentation was Tools and Techniques: Developing and Sustaining Online Instructor Presence Through Video Feedback. They were also featured in an article, Injecting the Instructor’s Voice Into Asynchronous Courses, on Inside Higher Ed.

 

 

Dr. Joshua Knabb, associate professor of psychology, has been selected as the new editor for the Journal of Psychology and Christianity, a peer-reviewed academic journal “designed to provide scholarly interchange among Christian professionals in the psychological and pastoral professions.”

 

 

 

 

Dr. Robert LaChausse, associate professor of public health sciences, Dr. Esther Lee, assistant professor of statistics, and Jessica Folmer, research associate in the College of Health Science, presented a paper at the 2019 Western Psychology Conference in Pasadena on April 26. It was titled The Influence of Peers and Parents on Adolescent Substance Use.

 

 

 

Dr. Seth Jenny, adjunct professor of health science for Online and Professional Studies, published a paper in the Journal of Contemporary Athletics. It was titled Stakeholders’ perception of critical risks and challenges hosting marathon events: An exploratory study.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Candace Vickers, associate professor of communication disorders, and Dr. Jane McGuire, professor of education, partnered with the American Heart Association for the second annual Strokes For Strokes event held at CBU on May 17. McGuire provided a family support group for caregivers while Vickers provided aphasia information and support for survivors and family members. Communication Sciences and Disorders students and staff from the College of Health Science assisted the stroke survivors who participated in the art therapy activity, which was led by Daphne Paramo, department secretary of kinesiology.

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for Information Technology Services, wrote a feature article for the May 2019 issue of Church Production Magazine, titled: How to Produce a First-Rate Podcast. He was a guest on episode of the AV Life Podcast, titled Do You Feel Like We Do? Way and Randal Murphey, manager of multimedia services for Information Technology Services, were guests on the AV Life Podcast titled Winging It – Generations, Podcasting, Industry, and Shameless Plugs.

 

 

Amy Nantkes, adjunct professor of history and government for Online and Professional Studies, presented a paper at two conferences: Politics of Race, Immigration, and Ethnicity Consortium in Claremont on March 29 and a Western Political Science Association meeting in San Diego on April 20. The title of the paper was Project 100% and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in San Diego County.

 

 

 

Dr. Kathryn Short, professor of education, co-hosted the Second Annual Symposium on Infant and Toddler Mental Health and Adverse Childhood Experiences in Riverside on May 20. First 5 Riverside, First 5 San Bernardino and Help Me Grow Inland Empire also co-hosted the event, which was attended by 1,600 people.

 

 

 

 

 

Deena Graves, adjunct professor of communication for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the Regent University 2019 Annual Research Roundtables in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on May 17. Her presentation was titled Smart Futures: Brain (un)Freeze.

 

Dr. Tad Hove, assistant professor of management, received recognition on May 22 for his contribution to a vocational training program, CTE Clean and Green, that he helped develop in the Riverside Unified School District. One certificate was from Assembly Member Jose Medina. The second one was from Andy Melendrez, Riverside City Council Member Ward #2.

 

 

 

Lancer Athletics at California Baptist University has entered into a three-year partnership with Affinity Licensing to establish a campus-wide licensing program. As part of the agreement, which takes effect June 1, Affinity will act as the exclusive licensing agency to manage the university’s relationships in regards to consumer products with manufacturers and retailers. The university will have access to innovative technology and processes that allow for better brand protection, as well as the ability to leverage Affinity’s retail and merchandising expertise to expand product categories, launch new products and grow retail distribution.

 

Shaye Smith (’10) daughter of Steve Smith, director of Facilities and Planning Services, and Kris Smith, assistant director of Mobilization, was recently honored as Teacher of the Year at California School in the West Covina School District. She is a special education teacher.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Lauren Bennett, wife of Dr. Jay Burke, associate professor of psychology, passed the California Psychology Law and Ethics Exam, which was the final requirement for her to obtain licensure as a psychologist in California. Her clinical work includes a specialization in neuropsychology and the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and sports-related concussions.

 

 

 

Dr. Riste Simnjanovski, dean of faculty development for Online and Professional Studies, and his wife, Dr. Lauren Gutenberg, welcomed a son on May 19. Uriah Luca Simnjanovski weighed 7 pounds, 9.5 ounces and measured 20.5 inches.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

 

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

Orientation prepares new students for fall semester

Hundreds of incoming freshmen at California Baptist University took advantage of the first New Student Orientation event for the 2019 fall semester on May 13.

Throughout the day, students attended information sessions on student services, financial aid and CBU’s mission and purpose. The students also had the opportunity to register for classes and receive their student ID card.

More than 250 students attended the event.

The day benefits both students and their parents, said Jay Stovall, director of new student programs.

“The purpose of New Student Orientation is to register students for their classes and expose them to the culture and resources offered to them in this transition. We want them to feel confident in the decision they are making,” Stovall said. “For parents, it shows them what type of university they are sending their students to and our hope is that they experience the love, care and quality that not only they, but their students will experience throughout their CBU journey.”

Reagan Alley, a pre-nursing major from Riverside, said she chose CBU for the vibrant campus life and the Christian atmosphere.

“Today confirmed my decision. It cleared up a lot of unknowns—who to talk to for financial aid, where to go for my classes,” Alley said. “I’m looking forward to getting involved in different clubs and meeting new people.”

“Orientation takes a lot of the unknown out of the equation,” her mom, Debra Alley, said. “I’m very happy she’s coming here. I think it’s a good path for her.”

Victoria Bucy, a resident of Lake Elsinore, California, who is pursuing a civil engineering degree, said she is excited to attend classes in the engineering building.

“I liked the feeling I got when I first walked on campus,” Bucy said of her decision in choosing CBU. “I liked how homey it felt.”

Ariana Sedillo, an interior design major from San Bernardino, California, said she chose CBU for the friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to grow in her faith. She said she appreciated the help given when registering for classes during orientation.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of a club, meeting new people and going to chapel,” Sedillo said. “I’m planning on being busy.”

Her dad, Jeff Sedillo, said Ariana took her time in deciding where to go for college.

“After seeing and listening to everything today, I feel confident in her decision to come here,” Jeff Sedillo said.

Orientation will be offered seven more times for first-time students and four orientation events are tailored for transfer students before the start of the fall semester. For more information on New Student Orientation please click here.

Students who live more than 250 miles away have the option of participating in an Online Orientation.

 

Distinguished faculty and employee of the year honored

California Baptist University honored two outstanding faculty members and the 2019 employee of the year on May 2 during the annual faculty and staff awards banquet.

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

Dr. Nicole MacDonald, professor of athletic training, was named the Distinguished Professor, given to a faculty member who has established an impressive record of service to CBU.

MacDonald is also the chair of the allied health professions department and the founding director of the Master of Science in Athletic Training program at CBU.

Dr. David Pearson, dean of the College of Health Science, said MacDonald has influenced the kinesiology curriculum in a positive direction.

“Dr. MacDonald managed to craft what would become the premier athletic training education program in the region and arguably one of the very best in the nation,” Pearson said. “As the founding and lone director, Nicole has directly orchestrated the MSAT program at CBU as it has become the model for curriculum, clinical experiences, inter-professional education and practical scholarship that many other higher education institutions have replicated.”

Dr. Jinxiang Xi, associate professor of bioengineering in the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering, was named Distinguished Scholar of the Year. Xi was honored for a research proposal titled “Deciphering Exhaled Aerosol Fingerprints, Open a New Door to Lung Diagnosis and Treatment.” The study will focus on how to detect early signs of lung diseases through studying the pathology of airways found in lungs. Xi has 16 years of research experience in cardiovascular respiratory systems.

Xi said that there is geometry in a way airflow travels in a person’s lungs.

“Each airway has a signature aerosol fingerprint which resembles an actual human fingerprint,” Xi said. “This proposed study is a perfect example of the coexistence of simplicity and delicacy of God’s creation.”

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

Greta Anderson, assistant director of undergraduate admissions, recruiting and outreach, received the 2019 Employee of the Year award. CBU’s Executive Council selects the Employee of the Year recipient from among 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.

Ellis noted that Anderson had trained and prepared six admissions counselors during a span of a month who all went on to be successful in their recruitment efforts.

The fall 2018 semester at CBU set a record with 10,486 students, an increase of 5.5 percent over the previous year.

 

Master of Architecture program achieves initial accreditation

The Master of Architecture program at California Baptist University has received its initial accreditation by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

“The accreditation is a great milestone,” said Keelan Kaiser, program director of architecture in the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design (CAVAD). “Being accredited means the students are now eligible to take their licensing exams to earn national certification and acquire their license in any state.”

The program had to complete a series of tasks to obtain accreditation including completing a self-study that identified standards such as human, physical, and financial resources, in addition to having defined and established learning outcomes, Kaiser said.

Kaiser indicated that CAVAD, during its self-study, also had to identify what differentiates the program from others.

“The primary difference is that it is housed in a faith-based university,” Kaiser said. “We’re one of a small cohort of architecture schools in a faith-based university.”

Other distinct characteristics for the master’s program include smaller class sizes—the program will have approximately 150 students for the fall 2019 semester—and it is located within a populous area with a large number of architecture offices and commercial firms without other architecture programs nearby, Kaiser said.

Another requirement for accreditation was a benchmark of graduating its first class before the accreditation visit, Kaiser noted. The first Master of Architecture class graduated in May 2018.

Victor Robles, a graduate architecture student, said it means a lot to him to have the program accredited.

“The architecture program at CBU has offered many learning opportunities from networking to great projects that are highly accepted and liked by professionals,” Robles said. “Thanks to the close relationship that our professors provide, I have been able to produce work that speaks highly of the school in my opinion.”

The accreditation, which is for three years, is significant for the program, said Mark Roberson, dean of the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design.

“We achieved initial accreditation at the earliest point possible for a new program such as ours,” Roberson said. “NAAB accreditation establishes CBU Architecture as a legitimate, recognized program that can now compete on even footing with the other programs in our region and across the country. This represents the culmination of a lot of work by a lot of people, as well as a great deal of support from the university.”

 

Volunteer count tops 5,000 for global service projects

California Baptist University hosted a celebration for surpassing 5,000-plus International Service Project (ISP) volunteers on May 5 at the Kugel located in the Ronald L. and Jane Dowden Ellis Great Commission Plaza.

This year marks the 23rd year of Mobilization efforts at CBU.

Per CBU tradition, before an ISP team’s departure, students, along with their family and friends gather to pray at the Kugel, a globe that rests on a base with the scripture from Matthew 28:19-20 etched in stone.

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of CBU, emphasized that CBU is a Great Commission university.

“CBU is a university committed to the Great Commission and the ISP projects are a way to actualize this calling,” Ellis said. “What is etched in the Kugel is who we are.”

This summer, nearly 300 volunteers, comprising 35 teams, will serve in 25 countries. Seven teams will depart from CBU as part of its first wave of volunteers up until May 6 en route to Southeast Asia, Poland, South Africa and Eastern Europe.

The teams will conduct theater and sports camps, assist in health care practices and seek to create culture interactions.

Jeff Lewis, director of Mobilization, said that he prays that the students will be able to have many conversations about the Gospel message.

Participants received more than 75 hours of training to prepare for service opportunities, including an “Intensive Training Weekend” that simulates situations to engage in service and gospel conversations.

ISP students will serve on three types of teams, depending on previous ISP experience and their time commitment. Encounter teams are open to all participants who serve up to three weeks. Engagement teams go for three weeks, and Immersion teams serve for eight weeks. The latter two teams are only for returning ISP students.

Andreas Coppedge-Calderon, an electrical and computer engineering junior, was identified as the 5,000th ISP participant. His team is going to Southeast Asia to conduct basketball camps and play games against local college teams.

“I read God’s word and it tells me to go and preach the Gospel to the world,” Coppedge-Calderon said. “I’ve never deliberately done that, so here at CBU I decided to dive into the ISP program. I’ve learned through my training that God will use my story to help others.”

 

Family Updates

Jeannette Russell, administrative manager for the College of Nursing, received an Outstanding Service award from the American Association College of Nursing and Business Officers of Nursing Schools on April 26. The award was recognition for her work as secretary 2017-19 for the Business Officers of Nursing Schools.

 

 

 

 

Keelan Kaiser, professor of architecture, was elected as vice president/president elect, 2019-20, for the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The AIA Inland California chapter serves Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

 

 

 

 

Amber Andrade, assistant registrar for transcript and records for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the California College Records and Admissions Officers Annual Meeting in San Diego on April 29. The presentation was titled TES-ting the Waters of Transfer Technology.

 

 

 

 

Mary Ann Stahovich, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, presented at the PAEA (Physician Assistant Education Association) Virtual Physician Assistant Fair on April 9. She talked about the background of PA school, CBU’s PA program, and the application process for PA graduate school.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Seung-Jae Kim, professor of bioengineering, had a journal paper published in Human Movement Science (August 2019). The paper was titled Gait symmetric adaptation: Comparing effects of implicit visual distortion versus split-belt treadmill on aftereffects of adapted step length symmetry.

 

 

 

Dr. Daniel Prather, professor of aviation science, contributed to a feature on 2019’s Best Airlines at Wallet Hub (May 2, 2019). It was titled Ask the Experts.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Dennis K. Bideshi, professor of biology, and Dr. Hyun-Woo Park, professor of biology, gave a presentation at the 2019 Spring International Conference of the Korean Society of Applied Entomology in Cheongju, Korea, on April 25. It was titled Improvement of the recombinant Bacillus thuringiensis strain producing the Cyt1A-BinA chimera by combining with Cry11B.

 

 

 

Dr. Debra Coleman, assistant professor of nursing, and three CBU nursing students participated during Career Day at Liberty Elementary School in Riverside on April 26. They gave an overview of the nursing profession and answered questions.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Soojin Chung, assistant professor of intercultural studies, spoke at the University of California, Los Angeles, Center for Korean Studies on April 26. Her talk was titled What Americans Left Behind: Christian Adoption and US-Korea Relations, 1945–55.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for Information Technology Services, was featured in an article for Commercial Integrator (April 2019) titled Tech End Users Know More About AV Systems Than Integrators Think They Do. He also co-taught a global webinar for Audinate titled How to Secure and Scale Your Networked AV System with Dante Domain Manager. Additionally, he was a guest on The AV Life Podcast titled Living the Higher Ed AV Life.

 

 

 

Dr. Keanon Alderson, professor of management, co-published a research study in The Journal of Family Business Management (January 2019).The article was titled Contributions and Constraints to Continuity in Mexican American Family Firms.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Linda-Marie Sundstrom, associate professor of public administration for Online and Professional Studies, presented two papers at the Western Social Science Conference in San Diego on April 25-27. The titles were Political Economies & the Role of the Voluntary Sector and Comparing Voluntary Practices in the Former Soviet Union with Free Market & Blended Economies.

 

 

 

Dr. Tanya Harris, adjunct professor of public administration for Online and Professional Studies, spoke at the Employee Engagement seminar in Riverside on April 25. The presentation was titled Employee Engagement and the Power of Six Syllables.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ed Garrett, associate professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, spoke to the kinesiology department at Chaffey College on May 6. His talk was titled Mind and Body – Connecting the cognitive to the kinesthetic.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Lisa Bursch, associate professor of nursing, Dr. Dayna Herrera, associate professor of nursing, and Dr. Rebecca Meyer, associate professor of nursing, presented at the Sixth World Congress on Nursing & Healthcare in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on April 24. The presentation was titled Educational Strategies for Health Promotion on the Global Level.

 

 

 

 

CBU’s Marketing and Communication Division received two first-place awards from the 55^th annual Baptist Communicators Association Awards Competition on April 12. The wins were in video promotion, more than 5 minutes, for Dr. Paul and Annie Kienel, Leadership Institute, and video promotion, 2-5 minutes, Community Life.

 

 

Dr. Susan Jetton, assistant professor of nursing, and Dr. Terri Thompson, assistant professor of nursing, presented a poster at the 20^th Annual Evidenced-Based Practice and Nursing Research: Sustaining the Nurses Conference in Loma Linda on May 9. It was titled Student Directed High-Risk Scenarios: An Innovative Teaching Strategy. Additionally, Thompson presented a poster titled Preconception Health Education and the Impact on Maternal-Newborn Health.

 

 

 

 

The Dazed Starling, CBU’s literary journal, was released on April 24. The journal was edited and published by students enrolled Literary Journal Editing and Publishing (ENG 431) taught by Dr. Erika Travis, associate professor of English and behavioral sciences. Also at this event, graduating creative writing majors read excerpts from their senior capstone projects and the creative writing awards were given to Anndrea Scroggins who won first place in fiction; Megan McGaughey who won first prize in poetry; and Sonia Robertson who won first prize in nonfiction.

 

 

Dr. Juliann Perdue, professor of nursing, presented two posters at the 20^th Annual Nursing Evidence-based Practice & Research Conference in Loma Linda on May 9. The posters were titled Finding Meaning: Using Therapy Dogs in Nursing Education and Innovative Prelicensure Curriculum Using Animal-Assisted Interventions. The latter received a third place award.

 

 

 

Dr. Gary Moore, adjunct professor of public health for Online and Professional Studies, had a book, Living with the Earth (fourth edition), receive an award for Outstanding Revised Textbook in Engineering from publisher Taylor & Francis Group.

 

 

 

Dr. John Marselus, professor of aviation science, co-led the inaugural Missionary Aviation Leadership Summit in Waxhaw, N.C., on May 15. The topics included Missiological Reflection of Partnership in the Gospel; Operational Level Planning from the Military Decision Making Process; and Current Work/Collaboration to date. In attendance were the presidents and vice presidents of the four largest missionary aviation organizations in the world: Mission Aviation Fellowship International, Mission Aviation Fellowship US, Ethnos 360 and Jungle Aviation And Radio Service.

 

 

Dr. Anthony Donaldson, dean of the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering, and Dr. Darla Donaldson, associate professor of finance and social entrepreneurship, welcomed their first grandchild on April 5. James Walton Canales IV weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 21 inches. His parents are James (’14) and Deborah (’15) Canales.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Wayne Fletcher, associate provost for Academic Services, and his wife, Michelle, welcomed their third and fourth grandchildren. Cooper Rodney Fletcher was born Feb. 22, weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces and measured 19 inches. His parents are Brandon and Hailey Fletcher. Jack Nolan Ballard was born March 27, weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 20 inches. His parents are Patrick and Ashley Ballard.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Erika Travis, associate professor of English and behavioral sciences, and her husband, Jeffrey (’03), welcomed their fourth child on May 2. Luke Cornelius Keith Travis weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 20 inches. He joins Anna, 12, Adam, 9, and Elizabeth, 6.

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CBU welcomes thousands to spring commencement ceremonies

California Baptist University hosted four commencement ceremonies over two days that drew an estimated 12,000 individuals. Students received praise and encouragement in front of crowds of friends and family members on April 30 and May 1.

Combined applications for graduation for spring commencement ceremonies included seven candidates for doctoral degrees, 537 for master’s degrees and 934 for undergraduate degrees for a total of 1,478 applicants.

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, said during the ceremonies that the accomplishments for the students have come with sacrifices.

“Each of these graduating students has arrived at this point because of a shared commitment to the challenging, yet rewarding endeavor of higher education. Each one has overcome obstacles to achieve this goal,” Ellis said. “Graduates, you have faced many difficulties and yet you persevered. We congratulate each one of you. The faculty and the entire university family join me in saying we are proud of you and we pray God’s blessing upon you.”

Ellis also took a moment to recognize a special guest in attendance at the 2 p.m. ceremony on April 30—Juanice Brister Williams, a member of the first graduating class at then California Baptist College. CBC opened in September 1950 and hosted its first commencement ceremonies on May 31, 1954, at the First Southern Baptist Church of El Monte, California. Ellis noted that Brister received her Bachelor of Arts in Music degree and went on to serve with her husband, Glenn, for 53 years in church music ministry.

“Juanice Brister Williams now resides in Tucson, Arizona. An item on her bucket list was to sit on stage in the CBU Events Center during commencement. Today, that dream is realized,” Ellis said.

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

Alexis Ohmar, an international student from Yogyakarta, Indonesia, received the Min Sung Kim International Student Award that is presented to an international student who has made outstanding contributions to the CBU community. Rebekah Bernal of Winchester, California, was the recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Senior Award. Bernal earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a 4.0 GPA. Jose Macias, an early childhood studies student within the Division of Online and Professional Studies, earned the division’s Student of the Year recognition. Macias is graduating with a 4.0 GPA.

Dr. Michael Nolen, chair of the CBU Board of Trustees, encouraged graduates on behalf of the board to use the Great Commission training they received at CBU to benefit others.

“Graduates, my hope is that for each of you the return on the investment will be great through the blessings that you experience, and as you bless others throughout your lives. May each of you continue to seek and to ‘Live your Purpose,’” Nolen said.

Dr. Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board, served as the spring commencement speaker.

“Today is a day to celebrate and to be thankful,” Ezell said. “Thankful for the professors that have poured into your lives and thankful for your parents who have made sacrifices along the way.”

“God has a purpose for your life and many doors are going to open as a result of your training at CBU,” Ezell said. “Life also has challenges and how you respond to that is going to determine how successful you are… our circumstances do not reveal our view of God but God can shape the way we view our circumstances.”

Ezell encouraged the graduates to fulfill the Gospel’s mandate to fulfill the Great Commission.

The Class of 2019 represents CBU’s largest graduating class ever with 2,581 students eligible to participate in fall, spring and summer commencement ceremonies.

 

CBU architecture students display their creative works

The College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design at California Baptist University hosted its annual open house, displaying projects of more than 70 architecture students. The evening also featured an award ceremony that recognized excellence in the students’ work.

Andriani Sugianto, an architecture junior, won the Faculty Award for Highest Performance Second Year for her site analysis diagram project she worked on in her Design Studio II course.

Sugianto said the diagram, of a fictitious poetry foundation in downtown Riverside, was a semester-long endeavor. Sugianto implemented several unique designs into her site plan including a café, a public collection space, a library and a performance area.

“I worked really hard and in the end it paid off,” Sugianto said.

Keelan Kaiser, architecture program director, said the award ceremony is meant to recognize students for their academic performance and their academic improvement.

“Some students are going to get awards, but this is also a time of fellowship. Supporting each other and cheering each other on,” Kaiser said. “Winning awards is part of academic education and architectural advancement. To be competitive and be recognized for their good work is an important part of their practice and developing one’s practice of architecture.”

Jacob Gonzalez, an architecture sophomore, also worked on the poetry foundation project. In his project, he focused on providing separate spaces within the building for both public and private audiences.

“I gained experience in studying the area and seeing how lighting worked in certain areas in the day and night, which was great because in future projects I can use more natural lighting rather than artificial,” Gonzalez said.

William Hunnel, an architecture graduate candidate, was recognized at the awards ceremony for completing his degree.

“During my time at CBU, I learned a lot about design, life and how you interact with people,” Hunnel said.

Second Annual CBU Architecture Awards:

University Program Award in Architecture
Ashley Palaiyan

Highest Academic Honors
Wesley Yngsdal
Daniel Keinert

Outstanding Leadership Award
Joshua Greene
Jack Gonzalez

Outstanding Academic and Service Award
Kaylan Cummins

Researcher Excellence Award
Jacob Slagil

Directors Award of Professional Promise
Diego Corona

Dean’s Award for Leadership and Engagement
Alex Gordon

Faculty Award for Highest Academic Performance First Year
Keiren Wright

Faculty Award for Most Improved Performance First Year
Ariadne Zepeda
Kate Reyes
Liana Campa

Faculty Award for Highest Academic Performance Second Year
Adriani Sugianto

Faculty Award for Most Improved Performance Second Year
Aaron Gamez
James Brisco

Faculty Award for Highest Academic Performance Third Year
Abigayle Ashby

Faculty Award for Most Improved Performance Third Year
Jacob Arellano
Amy Espino

Faculty Award for Highest Academic Performance Fourth Year
Daniel Keinert

Faculty Award for Most Improved Performance Fourth Year
Paul Reyes

Faculty for Highest Academic Performance Fifth Year
Wesley Yngsdal

Faculty Award for Most Improved Performance Fifth Year
Ashley Palaiyan

Students Completing a Bachelor’s Degree and Moving Directly into Practice:
William Hunnel
Christopher Peterson

 

Master’s hooding ceremonies celebrate students’ achievements

Hundreds of master’s degree candidates at California Baptist University celebrated their academic achievements at department specific hooding ceremonies, leading up to commencement ceremonies April 30-May 1.

Nearly 540 master’s degree candidates and seven doctoral candidates were eligible to participate in the spring commencements. At CBU, colleges and schools hold individual hooding ceremonies to recognize their candidates and also give students their distinctive colored hoods to wear at their commencement ceremony.

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences had the largest group of master’s candidates with 182. The Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education had the second largest group with 108 candidates. Additionally, the Online and Professional Studies division had 95 master candidates and seven doctoral candidates for graduation throughout its various programs.

“I don’t know what is in your future. But I know you’re going out with a blessing, and if you receive it and act in obedience, you’ll accomplish things you didn’t even think were possible,” Dr. Anthony Donaldson, dean of the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering, told the graduate candidates. “Hopefully in some way you’ve grown in your understanding of who this God is, so that you can go out and serve the one who created you.”

Shailesh Uchale, who earned a Master of Science in Software Engineering, said that during his time at CBU, he learned about different cultures and his purpose in life.

“The people here at CBU supported me in my ups and downs,” Uchale said. “I feel prepared to go onto my next phase of life.”

Shubhada Katke, who also earned a Master of Science in Software Engineering, credited CBU faculty with helping reach her goal of earning a master’s.

“The professors made sure I was on track and doing the right things. I think that’s very important,” Katke said. “When professors help increase students’ skills, that’s the biggest blessing for anybody. Getting skills adds a lot of dimension to life.”

 

Four students selected to ring in commencement ceremonies

California Baptist University celebrated spring commencement from April 30–May 1 for nearly 1,500 students who qualified to participate in four ceremonies. Tradition called for a distinguished scholar to ring the bell prior to each ceremony.

Each toll of the bell represents one decade of the university’s existence. The bell rang six times at each of the ceremonies to commemorate the six decades of academic excellence. CBU was established in 1950.

Michael Koval, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering candidate, rang the bell at the April 30, 9:30 a.m. ceremony, and Owen Brown, a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies candidate, was chosen for the April 30, 2 p.m. ceremony. Colin Sheahan, Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistical Analysis candidate, rang the bell at the May 1, 9:30 a.m. ceremony, and Miranda Ortiz, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Business Administration candidate from the division of Online and professional Studies, did so at the May 1, 2 p.m. ceremony.

Sheahan, who has a current 4.0 GPA, said he was surprised to be selected as a bell ringer. He plans to enroll in a graduate program in economics.

“The humanities and philosophy courses I took as general education really helped me to understand how I, as a Christian, need to spend time contemplating my own beliefs so that I can be confident in the life I’m living and what I’m accomplishing for God,” Sheahan said.

Ortiz, whose current GPA is 3.74, said professors helped her as she faced personal struggles during her studies. She is seeking a career as a neuropsychiatrist and a psychotherapist for children with special needs.

“CBU shaped me to find a way to integrate a spiritual perspective into any given situation,” Ortiz said. “It shaped my values and thoughts of how I want to be when I pursue a future career.”

Brown, a 4.0 student, said it was a tremendous honor to be selected as a bell ringer. He plans to attend seminary in the fall.

“My professors had a profound impact on my development as an individual, both through the lectures and the personal relationships I developed with them outside of class. My ability to dissect and interact with ideas has been greatly developed during my time at CBU,” Brown said.

Koval, whose current GPA is 4.0, will work for Raytheon, a technology and innovation company. He said his time at CBU shaped him in many ways.

“It helped me to grow in my knowledge and skills as an engineer. It also helped me grow closer with Christ,” Koval said. “God was very gracious to grant me success in many areas like my school work, my job as a tutor and my friendships.”

 

Book looks at Christian model for psychotherapy

Dr. Joshua Knabb, director of the Doctor of Psychology program at California Baptist University, believes that the Christian tradition has a lot to offer in the realm of mental health treatment.

“In the last decade or so, I’ve been increasingly convinced that the Christian tradition, spanning the last two millennia, offers a wide variety of strategies for positive psychological change,” Knabb said. “Although many Christian psychologists first turn to secular psychotherapy models, only to add on Christianity, post hoc, I believe God has called me to operationalize and empirically investigate distinctly Christian approaches for Christians experiencing psychological suffering.”

Knabb along with Dr. Eric L. Johnson, professor of Christian psychology at Houston Baptist University; Dr. M. Todd Bates, dean for the School of Christian Thought at Houston Baptist University; and Dr. Timothy A. Sisemore, president of the Society for Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, co-authored the book “Christian Psychotherapy in Context: Theoretical and Empirical Explorations in Faith-Based Mental Health.”

Knabb said the book promotes a Christian psychology rather than an integrationist approach to addressing a patient’s Christian faith.

“Our book offers a distinctly Christian approach by starting with Christianity as the foundation, enhancing a biblical worldview with evidence-based elements of psychotherapy, regardless of the theoretical orientation of the psychotherapist,” Knabb said. “When working with Christians with depression and anxiety, we argue that psychotherapists can best meet the unique needs of Christian clients by starting from this Christian framework.”

Knabb served as the first author and primary editor for “Christian Psychotherapy in Context,” in which he worked to develop the Christian psychotherapy model with its co-authors.

“We start with a Christian understanding of God’s attributes and actions, reality, knowledge, humanity, values, and redemption and healing, then draw from the psychology literature to help psychotherapists working with Christian clients move through three stages of therapy—a supportive, relational stage; a learning and insight-oriented stage; and a behavioral action and change stage,” Knabb said.

“I pray that God continues to use me to help Christians draw strength from their own faith tradition, employing the scientific method along the way to reveal what works in the therapy room,” Knabb said.

 

Students enjoy traditional late-night break from finals

Hundreds of students took a break from final exam preparations to indulge in a late-night breakfast served by California Baptist University faculty and staff on April 23.

The meal, served from 9-11 p.m., is a CBU tradition that gives faculty and staff an opportunity to encourage and serve students during finals week. Students dined on eggs, French toast, bacon, Tater Tots and doughnuts at the Alumni Dining Commons.

Mekari Cogdell, a kinesiology senior, said she appreciated that the faculty members and staff served the students.

“The late-night breakfast means that I am almost done with my time at CBU. It’s been a long couple of years and this is like a celebration of being almost done,” Cogdell said.

Dr. Doreen Ferko, professor of special education, said she enjoyed serving the students.

“It is exciting. It is a good time of year and serving is always fun and gives us an opportunity to show students that we really care about them,” Ferko said.

Ocean Lee, a software engineering senior, said it was a bittersweet moment to share a meal with friends whom he will miss seeing frequently at the Alumni Dining Commons.

“This place is known for good food and community,” Lee said.

 

Engineering students display their robotic creations

Tyler Lawton, a mechanical engineering freshman at California Baptist University, felt confident of his team’s robot creation heading into the Design Showcase’s Orb-O-Mania competition. His team worked throughout the semester to construct and program a robot that could collect small balls or orbs in an efficient manner.

“I thought we were going to win because we designed the fastest and most stable bot,” Lawton said.

Lawton, along with team members that were present at the competition—Zachary Foster, Jonathan Gibson, Casey Harrison, Arya Singh, Josiah Salgado and Deepansh Samuel Lal, succeeded in their endeavors. The team won the annual competition hosted by the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering on April 17.

The event is a competition open for the first-year students within the College of Engineering. Teams were tasked with using Legos, laser-cut and 3D printed parts to create their robots.

Gibson, a civil engineering junior, said teamwork was an important factor in his team’s success.

“You have to rely on your team as much as your own robot. In creating the robot, it helped me gain the knowledge and willingness to work with others,” Gibson said.

The competition is meant to give students hands-on experience in designing and engineering, said Dr. John Butler, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering.

“Since all the competitors are engineering students, it gets them designing and engineering things early in their academic careers. We teach them an integrative design process where they are continually tweaking things,” Butler said.

 

Art exhibit features fine art seniors’ expressive works

California Baptist University hosted an opening reception for the Senior Fine Art Exhibit at the Rose Garden Gallery on April 16.

The display features work by fine art seniors James Gooch, Miracleous Owens and Michaela VanSant. The show features a variety of art pieces ranging from sculpture, oil canvas paintings and comic illustrations. Fine art seniors at CBU are required to display their work in an exhibit before graduating.

Duncan Simcoe, professor of fine art, said the exhibit features art created by the students’ own inspiration and not by a class assignment.

“Fine art means we are teaching students how to make a variety of objects whether they are sculptural, two dimensional or other kinds of mediums. And to be exhibiting artists, that is the end game,” Simcoe said.

VanSant said she created her color paintings around the theme of Immanence.

“God is immanent throughout nature, this world and our lives,” VanSant said. “While creating this work, I used colors and abstract imagery to convey my personal experiences in the mountains of Colorado, where I grew up. My work is inspired by, and references, specific places in the mountains that are the dearest to my heart.”

“It is an exciting feeling and nerve-wracking to see my paintings be displayed. I feel very vulnerable because it is something that I spent a lot of time on and it is coming from my heart,” VanSant said.

 

Family Updates

Dr. Steve Posegate, professor of music, presented at the California Music Education Association CASMEC (California All-State Music Education Conference) conference in Fresno on Feb. 15. The presentation was titled The Perils of a Paycheck: The Plusses and Minuses of Teaching before Completing a Credential.

 

 

 

The CBU theatre program received 27 awards from the Inland Theatre League on April 14: Into the Woods—Daniel Beimford as Jack (acting category), Desmond Clark for Musical Director, Ethan Park as The Baker (acting), Julie Ann Oleson as The Witch (acting), Lee Lyons for Set Design, Lisa Lyons for Director, Machir Lakofka for Costume Design, Maddison Rickard as Little Red Riding Hood (acting), Samantha Shrool as Cinderella (acting); Lost in Yonkers—Alexis Safoyan as Bella (acting), Caleb J. Leal as Jay (acting), Frank Mihelich for Director, Garret Replogle for Set Design, Isaiah Torres as Arty (acting), Scott Rydelski as Louie (acting); The Beams are Creaking—Caleb J. Leal as Dietrich Bonhoeffer (acting), Frank Mihelich for Director, Garret Replogle for Set Design, Lee Lyons for Lighting Design, Lisa Lyons for Projection Design; Macbeth—Frank Mihelich as Macbeth (acting), Kim Eberhardt as Lady Macbeth (acting), Lee Lyons for Lighting Design, Michael Voyu as Macduff (acting), Patrick Brien for Director; The Tempest—Chris Coon as Caliban (acting), Garret Replogle for Director.

 

Marshall Hawkins, chair of the Idyllwild Arts High School Jazz Program, worked with the CBU jazz students in a master class setting, then performed as a guest artist at a CBU Jazz Ensemble concert on April 8. Hawkins, who plays the bass, worked with the Miles Davis Quintet, alto saxophonist Richie Cole, Roberta Flack and is founder of the Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra.

 

 

 

Kasaan M. Hammon, a liberal studies student, received the 2019 President’s Award for Excellence in Writing. The title of her paper was paper Knowledge Proceeds from I Am: A Philosophical Journey. Joseph M. Arriaga, an English major, was named first runner-up for his submission, Young Adult Literature and Jung’s Shadow. Second runner-up was Emily Anne Stewart, a philosophy major, for Grace Upon Grace: Aquinas’ Theological Revitalization of Aristotelian Virtue Ethics.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Tae Sung, assistant professor of English, presented at the International Conference on Christianity and Literature at Harvard Divinity School on March 29-30. The paper was titled Conditions of Grace: The Impossibility of the Gift in Herman Melville.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Shawn Wilhite, assistant professor of Christian studies for Online and Professional Studies, served as editor and contributor to Apostolic Fathers Greek Reader series (Glossa House, 2019). Volumes 5 and 6 were recently published.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Namhee Kim, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders, and undergraduate students from the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association CBU Chapter volunteered at Inland Empire Autism Hero Walk on April 14. They worked children with autism at an arts and crafts booth, a face painting booth and bounce play structures.

 

 

Dr. Marc Weniger, associate professor business, and Dr. Tad Hove, assistant professor of management, presented at the NASBITE International Business Conference in Savannah, Georgia, on April 10. The presentation was titled Cross Cultural Connection Success with Global Cultural Data Sources – A Deeper Look.

 

 

 

Dr. Virgo Handojo, professor of psychology, presented seminars at the 15^th Anniversary of Saint Paul Evangelical Church, La Mirada, California, on March 30. The seminars were titled Faith and Science: Love, Spirituality, and Happiness.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Seth Jenny, adjunct professor of health science for Online and Professional Studies, gave a keynote presentation at the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in Houston on April 14. It was titled eSports and the Sports Medicine Physician.

 

 

 

Dr. Keanon Alderson, professor of business, had a book on family business published last month. The title is Family Business Governance: Increasing business effectiveness and professionalism (Business Expert Press, 2019).

 

 

 

Dr. Mary Crist, professor of education, and Dr. Cammy Purper, associate professor of education, both for Online and Professional Studies, presented two sessions at the California Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference in Santa Clara, California, on April  12-13. The presentations were titled Teaching Preschoolers Empathy in the Digital Age and Supporting Parents and Young Children in Grief.

 

 

 

Lauri Hauck, visiting professor of kinesiology, Michael Robinson, assistant strength and conditioning coach, and Laura Linares, kinesiology student, taught health educational games at the “Day of the Child” event at the Rubidoux Community Resource Center on April 17. The games educated families on the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition.

 

 

 

Dr. Kathryn Norwood, dean of assessment and accreditation, and Dr. Dirk Davis, associate vice president of academics, both for Online and Professional Studies, conducted two presentations at the WSCUC Academic Resource Conference in Garden Grove, California, on April 11-12. They presented Streamlining Faculty & Administrative Work at California Baptist University and Moving the Proverbial Needle: Reliable Data for Sustainable Evaluation from Basics to Automation.

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for Information Technology Services, delivered the keynote Address at the Northwest Managers of Educational Technology conference in Las Vegas on April 19. It was titled Because of MY Podcast: Seven Lessons Learned and Three Predictions. He also was the featured interview in the Church Production Magazine, 5 Minutes with… (April 2019) and had an article, titled “How to Leave a Tech Job with Love and Grace, published in the Church Production Magazine.

 

 

 

Dr. Fred Pontius, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and CBU students Tony Ngabo and Noah Jackowitz served as judges for the final high school student team presentations of the 2018/2019 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Law Enforcement and Public Safety (LEAPS), and Public Utilities Learning Lab (PULL) Mentorship Program. Five teams presented at the event held at the Bourns Technology Center in Riverside on April 19. Jackowitz, Reuella Jacob and Jason Sigaran, also CBU students, served as team mentors for the program throughout the school year guided by Rhonda Clement, industry liaison for the College of Engineering.

 

 

Nathaniel Small, a civil engineering junior, received an $8,000 scholarship from the American Council of Engineering Companies, LA section, on April 24. He received the scholarship based on his academic performance and leadership.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Dr. Antonio Mejico, assistant professor of social work, and Jennifer Costello, assistant professor of social work, presented at the Ismael Villegas Community Center in Riverside on April 17. They presented on the Legacy Project, which is a collection of oral histories shared by the senior adults of the Casa Blanca Community.

 

 

 

Dr. Melissa Croteau, professor of film studies, attended the 47^th Annual Meeting of the Shakespeare Association of America in Washington, D.C., on April 17–20. She moderated a screening of a recent film adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2017) with the film’s director, Casey Wilder Mott, and presented a paper titled Tinsel Town Histories: Casey Wilder Mott’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in Hollywood.

 

 

 

The Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering hosted the Southern California State Mathcounts Competition on March 30. More than 165 students from middle schools across the Southland competed. Dr. Ziliang Zhou, professor of aerospace, industrial and mechanical engineering, coordinated the event; Dr. Grace Ni, professor of electrical and computer engineering, gave the keynote speech on the topic of How We Apply Math in Robotics; and Dr. Anthony Donaldson, dean of the College of Engineering, spoke about CBU’s engineering program and handed out awards. Nearly 100 CBU students served as volunteers.

 

Personnel Updates

 

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

Disaster simulation prepare CBU students as first responders

The scene was chaotic even for a simulated disaster. “Victims” cried and moaned for help, trying to be heard over the thumping background noise of helicopter sounds.  Graduate students from health care programs at California Baptist University scrambled to their aid, seeking to restore calmness and stability to the frenzied environment.

Some 160 graduate students participated in an interprofessional education (IPE) disaster simulation on April 13 at the CBU Events Center. Nearly 25 CBU faculty member facilitated the event. Another 150 or so CBU students, family members and friends volunteered as victims.

Adrian Williams, a counseling psychology student, said that after participating in the simulation, he feels more confident in responding to a potential crisis.

“At one point I was assisting with moving someone on the spine board, even though that was not in my scope of practice as a marriage and family therapist. I learned I can still assist in other ways,” Williams said.

Dr. Dayna Herrera, department chair of the Learning Resource Center and IPE, said the event was the culmination of the interprofessional instruction students receive throughout the year.

“The purpose and definition of interprofessional education is to bring students from various healthcare disciplines together to learn from, with and about each other in order to improve healthcare outcomes,” Herrera said.

Programs represented at the event included nursing, athletic training, physician assistant, speech-language pathology, counseling, social work and public health.

Before the simulation took place, students were organized into interprofessional teams. They viewed simulated news footage of the disaster and were briefed on the situation. They also received instructions on how to maximize care for the victims.

Jonathan Edens, a physician assistant student, said his team learned the vital role of leadership in disaster response.

“Disorganization leads to poor patient outcomes. You need to have someone who can be in that role and be able to delegate responsibility efficiently and effectively,” Edens said. “I want to make sure my knowledge and skills are where they need to be in case a situation like this were to arise. If you fail to prepare, then you are prepared to fail.”

 

CBU film festival plays to an appreciative audience

Spectators attending the 8^th annual California Baptist University Student Film Festival were treated to 11 short films at the Box Theatre in downtown Riverside on April 11. The evening also featured an award ceremony.

The films touched on topics including mental illness, addiction, love, self-discovery and multiculturalism. The production “Classified,” directed and written by Torrin Diaz, won Best Film and Best Screenplay.

Diaz, a film studies sophomore, said his admiration of the noir film genre inspired the production.

“This genre is often taken seriously but I wanted to put a comedic twist to the film,” Diaz said.

“It is really special to see people enjoy something that I spent so much time on and I am really touched that they appreciated what I put my time into,” Diaz said of the crowd’s reaction to the film.

This year’s film festival drew more than 20 submissions. The top 11 productions were selected to be showcased in conjunction with the Riverside International Film Festival. The short films ranged in genres from noir, comedy, romance and drama.

Dr. Melissa Croteau, professor of film studies at CBU, said she was thrilled students got an opportunity to gauge their films through the audience’s reactions.

“It is great for students to be able to screen their films in front of a live audience—and not just classmates and professors, but for the public. This kind of experience propels students forward,” Croteau said. “The opportunity gives students a chance to see their film up on a screen and listen while the audience laughs when they meant a scene to be funny and clap at the end in support of their project. It is a priceless feeling.”

The film “Little Fish” won an award for best production design.

Miguel Iniesta, an applied theology sophomore minoring in film, oversaw the cinematography and the editing of the production.

“I learned how important it is to take your time and be patient with every shot you take as well as to be very intentional about how you light it, what song is playing in the background, and appreciating the craft and art of film,” Iniesta said.

David Ramos, a film studies senior with a concentration in production, directed and wrote the film “Taytay.” The film focused on the relationship between an Asian father and his Asian-American daughter. Ramos won the Outstanding Senior award for the production.

Ramos said he drew his inspiration for the film from his own personal experience as a first generation Asian-American.

Student Film Festival Awards

Best Film
“Classified,” directed by Torrin Diaz
“Little Fish,” directed by Lauren Elkins
“Jetpack Girl,” directed by Jonathan Cadenhead/Michael Duggan/Allen Fletcher/Nathan Rierson
Best Actress
Leslie Streimer, “Jetpack Girl”
Best Actor
Marcos Favela, “Fragmented”
Best Supporting Actor/Actress
Cody Langlois, “Jetpack Girl”
Best Music/Soundtrack
Fruzsina Ladanyi, “Blank Screen”
Best Cinematography
Miguel Iniesta, “Little Fish”
Best Screenplay
Torrin Diaz, “Classified”
Best Editing
Nathan Rierson, “Jetpack Girl”
Best Production Design
“Little Fish,” directed by Lauren Elkins
Outstanding Senior
“Taytay,” directed by David Ramos

 

Team Italy wins Lancer Cup intramural soccer championship

Hundreds of spectators filled the Front Lawn at California Baptist University to watch Italy secure the Lancer Cup, defeating Bhutan 3-1 on April 9.

The Lancer Cup is the championship game of the co-ed intramural soccer league at CBU.

Tyler Cox, director of recreation programs at CBU, said that the event is the final championship competition of the year for intramural sports.

“The whole evening is an entertainment event for our students that also featured food trucks and a BMX demonstration before the game,” Cox said.

Because soccer is an international game, Cox explained the Lancer Cup features a multi-national emphasis.

“We let teams pick countries, and then we order them a flag from that country to carry throughout the season,” Cox said.

Before the championship game, both team Italy and Bhutan did a lap around the field with their flags.

Matthew Olsen, a mechanical engineering junior and Italy team member, said he enjoyed playing in a championship atmosphere.

“The whole experience of playing in front of a big crowd under the lights was fun,” Olsen said. “I have a lot of good friends that played on the team with me, and I also met a whole bunch of new people.”

Monica Overton, a member of team Italy, said participating in the soccer league helped her forge new friendships.

“The team forces you to interact with lots of people, and it teaches you to be positive and give encouragement to one another,” said Overton, an applied theology senior.

 

Army ROTC earns top two spots at national drill competition

Laura Elizabeth Buffa, a biology junior and captain of her ROTC team at California Baptist University, felt the nerves coursing through her body. She was about to lead her color guard team into a competition it had been training for all semester. Before the team routine started, she paused to say a prayer.

“God help me through this, I invite you into this competition,” Buffa prayed. “After that prayer, I was like, ‘all right it’s game time, and it’s you and me, God.’”

Buffa proceeded to lead her squad, the only all-female ROTC team, through more than 40 commands over the course of a 7-minute color guard routine.

The routine worked. Buffa’s team earned first place at the 125th John J. Pershing Memorial Drill Competition held on March 15 in Kansas City, Missouri. The men’s ROTC squad at CBU earned second place, among 16 other universities competing in the event.

Matthew Hahn, psychology sophomore and captain of the men’s ROTC unit, said the women’s team earned the victory.

“After their routine, I told them they did an excellent job, and they deserved the victory,” Hahn said.

Buffa noted that the men’s team critiques, during training, helped motivate her team to improve.

“Their critiques are what drove us to do better. I have a lot of gratitude for them,” Buffa said.

Hahn said that ROTC cadets at CBU have a very positive and professional attitude.

“Our cadets respect each other and respect the flags that we carry,” Hahn said. “This has reflected well on CBU. Other cadets know who we are and what we are about.”

Pershing Rifles is an ROTC related national organization that was started by Lt. John J. Pershing in 1894 when he was the professor of military science at the University of Nebraska. Pershing Rifles drill teams compete in several categories, including squad regulation drill, platoon exhibition drill, individual drill and color guard.

 

Lancer cheer continues its unprecedented NCA title streak

The cheerleading team at California Baptist University won its seventh consecutive National Cheerleaders Association Collegiate Cheer Championship on April 5.

Lancers remain undefeated in the NCA competition since 2013. The Lancers won their previous six championships as a NCAA Division II school. This year marks the first win as a D-1 program.

Read the full story here.

 

 

 

 

Students pitch entrepreneur ideas at business plan competition

Two students’ passion for coffee propelled them to win the third annual Bob Goodrich Business Plan Competition on April 4. Austin Keisling and Justin Porter, both entrepreneurship seniors at California Baptist University, earned $5,000 for their accomplishment.

The competition was sponsored by the Robert K. Jabs School of Business. Prizes for the competition were made possible by an anonymous donor.

The winning team proposed a coffee subscription box called Snob Box. Their idea is to package local coffee roasters’ coffee into sample bags and charge a monthly subscription for customers to taste different varieties of coffee.

Keisling said he enjoys finding new coffee flavors and wanted others to enjoy this sensation in the comfort of their homes.

Constructing the business plan was a rewarding experience, he added

“I felt like I really learned how to use critical thinking. We haven’t started the actual business yet, but I learned a lot from having a vision to seeing how the idea has evolved,” Keisling said.

Porter said that they used their experience from working at coffee shops to develop their business plan.

“Our research was conducted through our own experience. We both worked in coffee for a long time, so we already knew a lot about the coffee business,” Porter said.

Numerous business plans were submitted earlier in the semester. Students worked with a faculty advisor doing the submission process.

Once the business plans were submitted, Master of Business Administration students from CBU analyzed and measured their viability. The plans included an executive summary; the type of products and services the company would be selling; and various marketing research metrics. Each plan was ranked by an MBA professor, who ensured that all elements of a business plan were considered.

Four finalists were selected to present a five-minute business pitch to a panel of judges consisting of Lisa Wright, CEO of United Way of the Inland Valleys; Matt Irving, technology entrepreneur and owner of SystemGo It; and Stevie Hasemeyer, co-founder of Arcade Coffee Roasters in Riverside.

“Our hope is that our feedback can add to their competitive edge and ability to sell their product, sell to more customers, and have a good financial model. We provided a lot of expertise on what we thought would enhance their product and help make them more money,” Wright said.

Team Stepping Stones, with Joshua Gilliam and Nathaniel Paul, placed second in the competition and earned $3,000. The pair worked on the concept of social entrepreneurship. They proposed to create a company based in Afghanistan that would create handcrafted sandals by locals that could be sold internationally.

Miles Ward and Nathanael Hovda created The Miles Ward Clothing Corporation and took third and $2,000 for their concept of creating a simple but stylish fashion clothing line made from high quality fabric.

 

Students pack boxes for the Children’s Hunger Fund Project

Hundreds of students at California Baptist University lined up along Stamps Courtyard and packed some 200 boxes filled with non-perishable foods on April 2. The packing event was an effort to aid the Children’s Hunger Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides food to children and families through local churches.

The boxes consisted of pinto beans, rice, canned vegetables, canned fruit, tomato sauce, spaghetti, canned tuna, oatmeal and ramen.

Compassion Ministries in Spiritual Life at CBU organized the event. Julie Dobbins, director of compassion and women’s ministries, said her office seeks to create opportunities for students to work with organizations that offer aid to the CBU community.

Dobbins noted that events like these are tangible ways to share the Gospel’s message.

Klyde Subijano, a pre-nursing freshman, said he participated because of his own background battling poverty while growing up in the Philippines.

“I have seen people less fortunate that couldn’t fend for themselves. I love that CBU provides the opportunity for me to be able to help people out,” Subijano said.

Sierra Pounds, an environmental science freshman, said she was thrilled to participate in the event.

“It is our responsibility as Christians to go out and help other people. It’s important that we have events like this on campus so people like myself and my peers can give back,” Pounds said.

Arryianna Thomas, a pre-nursing freshman, said the boxes show that CBU cares.

“It makes me happy that these boxes will make children happy. The event goes along with loving your neighbor by helping others,” Thomas said.

 

Family Updates

Ashley Sonke, nursing student services coordinator II, presented as a plenary speaker at the Graduate Nursing Admissions Professionals conference held in Salt Lake City on April 2. Her presentation was titled Holistic Admissions in Academic Nursing.

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for Information Technology Services, has co-founded and launched the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance, with the purpose of representing higher ed institutions and technology managers in the greater global AV industry. Additionally, he was a guest on the March 2019 Worship Team Training podcast, titled The Theology of Church Production (Lighting, Sound, Video) in Worship. He was interviewed for an article in the Sound & Communications magazine (March 2019), titled Voices Carry. He also presented paper at the Evangelical Theological Society Far West Regional Meeting held at CBU on March 29. It was titled Rereading the Tabernacle: Creative Characteristics and the Implications on Modern Worship Practice.

 

Dr. Steven Waite, adjunct professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, successfully defended his dissertation in health and human performance at Concordia University Chicago on April 1.

 

Dr. Shawn Wilhite, assistant professor of Christian studies for Online and Professional Studies, presented research at the Evangelical Theological Society Far West Regional Meeting at CBU on March 29. It was titled The Divine Paul has spoken concerning the Monogenes: The Philippian Hymn in Cyril’s Dialogues on the Trinity.

 

 

 

Amber Andrade, assistant registrar for transcript and records, and Adam Martinez, transcript and records analyst, both for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Annual Meeting in Los Angeles on April 3. Their presentation was titled TES-ting the Waters of Transfer Technology.

 

 

 

Mallory Cheatham, a graphic design senior, won a gold award in Elements of Advertising – Illustration, and Jake Branch won a silver in Elements of Advertising – Still Photography at the American Advertising Federation District 15 awards. The Marketing and Communication division received a silver for Integrated Advertising Campaign: “Live Your Purpose.” The works will advance to the AAF national competition held in June.

 

 

Jessica Alzen, adjunct professor of English for Online and Professional Studies, co-presented a paper at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching Annual Conference in Baltimore on April 2. It was titled What goes into facilitating purposeful sensemaking in the classroom? Theorizing about teacher learning.

 

 

 

 

More than 30 CBU alumni, family and friends attended the Supercross Fan Fest, Team Faith Racing Ministry Dinner and the races in Nashville on April 6. Team Faith Racing Ministry, which includes Dr. Monica O’Rourke, professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, and her husband, Brian, fed more than 500 athletes, mechanics and racing families. Live worship music was provided along with CBU giveaways.

 

 

 

Sarah Pearce, director of simulation and standardized patient program, and Dr. Dayna Herrera, associate professor of nursing, passed the certification exam titled Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator. The certification is granted by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Pearce and Herrera join just over 2,000 other simulation educators across the world who have also received this certification. Additionally, Daniel Rodriguez, simulation technician, passed the certification exam titled Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialists.

 

 

Dr. Natalie Winter, professor of marketing and management, spoke to the Women’s Bible Study groups at Compass Bible Church in Aliso Viejo, California, on March 12-13. The message was titled Lift Up Your Head: Maintaining a Kingdom Perspective.

 

 

 

Andrew Cress, institutional effectiveness coordinator for Institutional Research, presented a paper at the Evangelical Theological Society’s Far West Regional Meeting at CBU on March 29. It was titled The Historical Jesus: Toward an Evangelical Approach.

 

 

 

Dr. Joshua Fuller, assistant professor of industrial-organizational psychology, and Dr. Nathan Iverson, assistant professor of psychology, presented at the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology research conference in Washington, D.C., on April 6. They presented with a team from across the United States on Strategic Foresight for I-O: What the World of Work might look like in 2030.

 

 

 

Dr. Ed Garrett, associate professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, spoke to the Chaffey College Psychology Club on April 3. He spoke on sport psychology as a growing trend.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Lindsay Fahnestock, assistant professor of public health sciences, co-presented a paper at the Evangelical Theological Society’s Far West Regional Meeting on March 29. It was titled The Practical Implications of the Levitical Law for the Flourishing of the People of God: An Interdisciplinary Study of Environmental Health and Biblical Theology.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Liya Grace Ni, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Mary Ann Stahovich, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, served as judges at the Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair at the Riverside Convention Center on April 2. They judged high school science projects.

 

 

 

Dr. William Boyer, assistant professor of kinesiology, Lauri Hauck, visiting professor of kinesiology, and 45 kinesiology students helped at the Anaheim Ducks, Captain’s Challenge Fit Finals on March 25. Faculty and students recorded fitness assessments for more than 1,500 fifth-grade students.

 

 

Andrew Knaster, adjunct professor of business for Online and Professional Studies, had a paper published to Sage Advance (February). The title is I Shall Not be Prey: Instilling Perceived Self-Efficacy Through Personal Security Training.

 

 

 

 

Student and faculty volunteers from the Department of Public Health Sciences and the College of Nursing assisted with the fourth annual Healthy Moreno Valley Health & Resource Fair on March 23. The CBU volunteers assisted with various aspects of the health fair such as the health screenings, registration, meal services and activities for kids.

 

 

Dr. Erin Kirk, adjunct professor of piano, was selected as one of 10 ministry leaders and pastors from across the country and Canada to participate in a pilot educational program at The Bible Project, based in Portland, Oregon. She assisted with the process of creating an online learning platform that would allow anyone to access Bible teaching by Dr. Tim Mackie, co-founder of The Bible Project. The teaching will cover books of the Bible, including historical resources, word-study, literary structure and parallels throughout the Bible. Fourteen one-hour class sessions were filmed April 1-5.

 

 

Dr. Soung Hwa Walker, adjunct professor of psychology, presented her research paper at the International Organization of Social and Behavioral Research in New Orleans on March 26. The paper was titled Academic Self-Concept and Educational Outcomes.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jay Burke, associate professor of psychology, presented at the International Family Therapy Association, Family Therapy Congress in Aberdeen, Scotland, on March 28. His presentation on clinical supervision was part of a full-day training on systemic supervision.

 

 

 

Students in the Master of Social Work program presented their research projects at the MSW Capstone Colloquium at CBU on April 12. The 80 second-year students worked with their field agencies to create, implement, and evaluate a project that would give back to the agency.

 

 

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, professor of communication, presented at the Baptist Communicators Association workshop in Riverside on April 11. Her presentation was titled Building Collaborative Teams with Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X’ers and Baby Boomers-Embracing Generational Diversity in the Workplace.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Joshua Knabb, associate professor of psychology, co-wrote a book, Christian Psychotherapy in Context: Theoretical and Empirical Explorations in Faith-Based Mental Health (Routledge). The book focuses on a Christian form of psychotherapy for Christian clients with emotional disorders.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Mark A. Wyatt, vice president for Marketing and Communication, participated in the 2019 Baptist Communicators Association Workshop in Riverside on April 10-14. He presented the keynote address at the event and took part in a panel discussion on Hot Button Issues in Higher Education.

 

 

 

 

 

Amy Ramirez, assistant softball coach, and her husband, Art, welcomed a daughter on Jan. 19. Addison Lynn Ramirez weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 20 inches long. She joins sister Autumn, 3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jane Craig, administrative assistant for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, and her husband, Rick, welcomed their first grandchild on March 31. Tucker James Craig weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 21 inches. His parents are Curtis (’10) and Kimberly Craig.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

“Barnum” brings the spectacle of the circus to Wallace Theatre

The theatre program at California Baptist University is bringing the razzle-dazzle and charm of P.T. Barnum to the Wallace Theatre stage, starting on April 5. Students performing as clowns, jugglers, tumblers and acrobats will help produce the circus atmosphere that Barnum is famous for creating.

“Barnum” looks at the legendary entertainer’s life before he formed his circus routine with James Bailey. The musical follows Cy Coleman and Michael Stewart’s score that includes “Join the Circus,” “The Colors of My Life” and “Come Follow the Band.”

A preshow routine before each performance will include clowns, stilt walkers and a card illusionist.

“It’s a circus. Every number is a big production number,” said Lisa Lyons, adjunct professor of theatre and the play’s director. “The audience should be entertained the whole way through.”

For the show, students learned numerous acrobatic stunts in addition to dancing and singing, Lyons said.

“If you aspire to be a performer in musical theatre, you can’t just be a singer anymore—you have to be a singer, dancer and actor. You have to be a triple threat,” Lyons said.

Ryan Lee, a communication studies sophomore, plays P.T. Barnum. From remembering all his lines to doing magic tricks and costume changes, Lee had to work on enhancing his multitasking performance skills.

“Our show is so unique in the fact that it is not just like any other musical. It’s a musical circus,” Lee said. “I hope the audience walks away in awe of the spectacle of our show.”

As part of the ensemble, Jamall Bradshaw, a criminal justice junior, tumbles, sings and dances throughout the show. Bradshaw said he knew how to tumble before, but for the show he had to get in better shape so he could do cartwheels and handsprings, and then sing afterward.

“In ‘Barnum’ I feel that I have learned to always push myself and be on top of it so the group as a whole looks good while performing, and we can put on a great show for our audience,” Bradshaw said. “I hope the audience gets so much joy from watching the show and really getting to see what the life of P.T. Barnum and circus was like.”

Samantha Schroll, a theatre major, plays Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind. For the role, she learned a few Swedish phrases and how to affect a Swedish accent.

“One thing that I’ve learned from the play is to have fun with even the small tasks of life. We can add color to anything,” Schroll said.

“Barnum”
When: April 5-6, April 11-13 at 7:30 p.m.; April 6, April 13 at 2 p.m.
Where: Wallace Theatre, California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA, 92504
Tickets or questions? Call the theatre box office at 951-343-4319 or email: mhyde@calbaptist.edu

 

Hundreds of volunteers participate in Spring Arbor Day

More than 200 students, faculty and staff participated in Spring Arbor Day at California Baptist University on March 30. Volunteers planted nine Cork Oak trees and three Poly Oak trees around the parking lots in front of the Eugene and Billie Yeager Center in addition to cleaning up areas around Diana Avenue and Monroe Street.

Dr. Bonjun Koo, professor of environmental science and advisor of the Environmental Science Club at CBU, has helped coordinate the event with Facilities and Planning Services over the past few years.

“I want to make our students recognize the importance of our environment, especially by planting trees,” Koo said.  “It is really important to educate students and let them know of the importance of taking care of our environment.”

Elizabeth Lacatus, a liberal studies senior, said she looks forward to watching the tree she planted grow.

“We put in a lot of hard work into planting the trees and we look forward to seeing them grow,” Lacatus said. “It is the same thing in our relationship with God. We put in a lot of work and at times it feels hard but then we grow in our relationship with God and we get to see fruit.”

Laura Pate, a liberal studies senior, noted the cultivating analogies used in the Bible to describe the Christian walk.

“You have to be planted in good soil in life to grow and the same is true with planting trees. Today, we had to make sure the trees were planted properly with the right amount of soil so the tree could survive,” Pate said.

Monica Velasco, an environmental science junior, enjoyed thinking about the shade the trees would bring during the hot summer days.

“I like how we are planting trees in the parking lots since there will be more shade, so my car won’t get that hot,” Velasco said.

Earlier this year, CBU earned a 2018 Tree Campus USA recognition. To obtain this distinction, CBU met the five core standards for sustainable campus forestry required by Tree Campus USA. The requirements comprise establishment of a tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects.

 

Legacy project discussed at Culture and Justice Lecture Series

Hundreds of students from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at California Baptist University had the opportunity to learn about the history of a longstanding neighborhood in Riverside on March 28. Several presenters shared research from “The Legacy Project,” which aimed to record the oral history of elderly residents living in the neighborhood known as Casa Blanca.

Over the past several months, some 20 student interns, mostly from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, worked in connection with the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the AARP Foundation on the “The Legacy Project.” CBU was awarded a $13,000 grant by the CIC in May 2018 to conduct the research.

For the project, students facilitated interviews, recorded each session and put together footage to display at the event.

Jennifer Costello, assistant professor of social work at CBU, said the goal of this project was to develop, strengthen and maintain relationships between CBU and the adults in the Casa Blanca community.

“Casa Blanca has a rich history and we also want to highlight and preserve this history through residents’ stories and experiences,” Costello told the audience.

During a roundtable discussion, several Casa Blanca residents in attendance had the opportunity to share their thoughts about their neighborhood.

“I can say a lot about Casa Blanca community, but three things could sum it up: we are family, we are neighbors and we are friends,” said Bob Garcia, a longtime resident of Casa Blanca.

Erin Orr, an anthropology senior and an intern for the project, said she felt welcomed into the community through the whole process.

“These people aren’t ashamed or afraid of their community and I really liked seeing that,” Orr said. “They could have said ‘we don’t want outsiders here,’ but they welcomed us instead.”

 

New ASCBU president aims to create collaborative environment

Lucas Mitose, healthcare administration junior, is the newly elected Associated Student of California Baptist University (ASCBU) president for the 2019-2020 academic year.

In his role, Mitose will oversee the ASCBU executive council, which is tasked with representing the student body at CBU on matters that enrich the undergraduate experience through service, collaboration and campus improvement.

Mitose credits his role as a resident advisor (RA) that made him venture out to try out bigger leadership roles at CBU.

“My favorite part about my job is building a community with guys where we can talk about our faith,” Mitose said. “I feel like you can grow a lot, especially in your freshman year. Helping the guys in my hall and watching them grow has been my favorite part.”

Christian Hassler, resident director at Smith Hall, said Mitose cares about people.

“He really does a good job connecting with other people. When people interact with him, they feel genuinely cared for and loved.” Hassler said. “He has a really deep heart for people.”

Giorvi Alvarez, a mechanical engineering freshman and a resident in Smith Hall, said he considers Mitose a role model.

“A few weeks ago, I was going through a rough patch in my life. I told him about it. He really helped me get through it.” Alvarez says. “I plan my life a little too much, and he told me, ‘Sometimes, you just have to leave it to God and see what happens.’ Hearing that from him made me realize that I should just relax and see what happens.”

Growing in his role as RA, made Mitose interested in exploring other leadership roles.

Mitose said that he was encouraged to run for ASCBU president.

“During the election, I had a lot of support. Knowing that the student body believes in me means a lot,” Mitose said.

As president, Mitose said his priority is to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

“Every idea and complaint has substance and value. I want to create a warm environment for people to come up to me and tell me what is wrong. I’m willing to listen to them,” Mitose said.

Mitose also wants to be accessible to students in order to make an impact on their lives.

“My goal is also to be as sufficient as possible with the help of my executive council, to use our resources wisely and to advance student satisfaction,” Mitose said. “As president, I really hope people get a lot from what I do. I hope to be able to train and help the people who will be in this position as well, so they may run the council in the most efficient way possible.”

For Mitose, succeeding as the next ASCBU president can prepare him for his career pursuits of becoming a CEO of a hospital.

“I think our healthcare systems and healthcare in a lot of hospitals could be managed better,” Mitose says. “Hopefully, I could get the opportunity to be able to manage a hospital to the best of my ability.”

 

CBU students experience Iceland through an ecotour

Nick Vander Weide, a mechanical engineering junior at California Baptist University, experienced God’s creation in a new way over spring break. While touring Iceland, his group visited Skógafoss Falls. As his team approached the falls, the clouds split open, sunlight hit the water and a rainbow appeared.

“That singular moment was one of the most beautiful moments I have ever witnessed,” Vander Weide said. “It felt as if God was standing there, rubbed His hands together, said ‘check this out’ and pulled back the clouds. It was absolutely amazing.”

Vander Weide was part of a CBU group—two faculty, three parents and 12 students—who went to Iceland from March 17-22 on an ecotour led by Dr. Bonjun Koo, professor of environmental science at CBU. The group visited places such as Gullfoss Falls, Sólheimajökull Glacier, Skógafoss Falls and the Blue Lagoon.

Koo said the purpose of expedition was to help the group appreciate the ecosystem and learn first-hand about renewable energy and geology of the planet.

“The emphasis was on the methods used to conserve energy and geology while developing the economy,” Koo said. “Students examined the methods used in Iceland by visiting national parks, research, agricultural and cultural facilities. They developed an understanding of how complex conservation can be.”

Sabrina Tamimi, an environmental science junior, said she appreciated the technology Iceland uses when it comes to renewable resources.

“The country is over 95 percent relying on geothermal and hydroelectric power,” Tamimi said. “We should take this into account when developing new ways on how to reduce our impact on the planet.”

For Koo, the highlight of the trip was visiting the Sólheimajökull Glacier.

“We explored water cauldrons and waterways of the glacier, which is almost 5 miles long. We saw the different shades of the glaciers – white ice, blue ice and just plain clear ice and drank 8,000-years-old glacier water,” Koo said.

 

Former U.S. ambassador urges students to be globally minded

Robin Renee Sanders, former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Congo (2002-2005), urged California Baptist University students to be aware of worldwide struggles on March 25.

Sanders is a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Scholar and also the CEO of FEEEDS Advocacy Initiative, a nonprofit organization that works on economic development, information communication technologies and Africa business strategies.

Sanders said that the international community has experienced progress in issues such as access to electricity, HIV prevention and maternal mortality.

“While there have been a lot of improvement on major issues, there is more work to be done,” Sanders said.

There are some issues that are not improving or even getting worse, she noted.

Sanders said there are millions more people facing starvation in the past three years. In addition, malaria continues to be on the rise throughout the world.

“I urge you to put down phones and look around at the world, start helping on local levels. But also listen to what’s going on, the world needs your help,” Sanders said.

Julia Morris, a nutrition and food science major, said the lecture opened her eyes to the struggles globally.

“Things we think are easy to solve in America are still very big problems around the world,” Morris said. “Being able to see it this way and in this context makes you think about ‘what could I do about the problems going on?’

“I think I need to be more globally aware. I was originally planning to come here [to CBU] and do my nutrition studies and maybe open my own clinic somewhere. But now after this lecture I’m thinking about the amount of people who need help on this large scale and I need to do my part.”

 

Family Updates

Daphne Kieling, International Center receptionist, was named employee of the month for April. Her nomination included the following statements: “Daphne understands the CBU student experience and goes above to ensure that the international students are not just merely serviced but that they are taking part in the campus community and getting involved. In addition, she is often found taking the time to connect with the students in a more meaningful way to go the extra mile.”

 

 

 

Dr. Ed Garrett, associate professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, and Mario Soto, adjunct professor of sport and performance psychology, taught at a coaches’ clinic for Riverside Unified School District on March 6 and 9. They taught about mental conditioning, communication and character development.

 

 

 

CLS Ferguson, adjunct professor of communication for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the pre-convention workshop for the Western States Communication Association Annual Conference in Seattle on Feb. 22. The title was Speechless: 30 Minute Prep for Evidence-Based Advocacy in an All-Deaf Public Presentation Class.

 

Dr. Candace Vickers, associate professor of communication disorders, presented to the Stroke and Brain Injury Support Group in Riverside on Feb. 20. Her presentation was titled Access to Reading and Phone Resources during Recovery.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter, assistant professor of social work, served as a perinatal mental health expert panelist at an Inland Empire Maternal Mental Health Collaborative event in Apple Valley, California, on March 13. The event included showing the documentary When the Bough Breaks, about postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, and a panel discussion.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Cammy Purper, associate professor of education for Online and Professional Studies, Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, professor of communication, and Dr. Julie Browning, professor of accounting for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the Advancing Women in Leadership Conference held at Vanguard University on March 19. Their topic was titled Authentic Informal Leadership, Stories from the Trenches.

 

 

 

 

Duncan Simcoe, professor of visual arts, and Steven Felix-Jager, adjunct professor of fine art, had artwork in an exhibition at the Progress Gallery in Pomona that ran through March 30. The exhibit was called Transparency.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Krystal Hays, assistant professor of social work, Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter, assistant professor of social work, and Jennifer Costello, assistant professor of social work, presented to Camp Agape mentees in Brea, California, on March 23. The title was Trauma Informed Mentorship: How to Work with Children Exposed to Trauma. Camp Agape is a camp for children with incarcerated parent(s).

 

 

 

Dr. Jane McGuire, professor of education, presented a workshop to the California Association of School Psychologists in San Mateo, California, on March 15. It was titled Fostering Resilience in High School Youth with Learning Disabilities through Self-Awareness, Self-Determination and Self-Advocacy Skill Building.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Joshua Knabb, associate professor of psychology, Dr. Veola Vazquez, professor of psychology, and Dr. Robert Pate, associate professor of psychology, presented a seminar at the annual conference for the Christian Association for Psychological Studies in Dallas on March 21-23. The seminar was titled Setting your mind on things above: Shifting from trauma-based ruminations to ruminating on God. Vazquez also presented Racism, Marital Conflict, and Black-White Interracial Marriage: The Role of Religious/Spiritual Well-Being.

 

 

Dr. Seth Jenny, adjunct professor of health science for Online and Professional Studies, was the lead author of a paper published in the academic journal The Physical Educator (Volume 76, No. 2). It was titled Sport Management Majors’ Perceived Motivators and Barriers to Participation in a College-sponsored International Experience.

 

 

 

Dr. Natalie Winter, professor of marketing and management, spoke to My Staffing Coach’s Leadership Bootcamp in Anaheim on March 7. She spoke on the topic of leadership and self-awareness.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Lesley Mayne, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders, Dr. Namhee Kim, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders, and Margaret Appenzeller, visiting professor of communication sciences and disorders, presented research at poster sessions at California Speech Language Hearing Association (CSHA) Annual Convention in Pasadena on March 15. Mayne and Kim presented Effect of Collaborative Graduate-Undergraduate Peer-Teaching on SLP Students Learning. Kim and Appenzeller presented Implementation of a short-term therapist training in China: Protocol, effects, and future directions. Kim co-presented Parental perspective on children’s play and its effect on language development. Additionally, Samantha Serna, graduate student of speech language pathology, received a student excellence award during a CSHA award ceremony.

 

 

 

 

Michael Osadchuk, coordinator of the Office of Student Success, and Pamela Jost, director of disability services, presented at the Association of Coaching and Tutoring Professionals National Conference in Orlando, Florida, on March 18. Their presentation was titled Re-imagining Student Success.

 

 

 

 

Dirk Dallas, assistant professor of graphic design, has photographic work featured in a new book titled My Tiny Atlas: Our World Through Your Eyes (March 26, 2019). The book is a collection of travel photos. Dallas’ work was taken in Huntington Beach, California.

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for Information Technology Services, gave the keynote address at the Midwest College and University AV Summit v6.0 in Winona, Minnesota, on March 15. The title was More Than Black Boxes: Developing a Customer Service Model to Impact People. Additionally, he was the higher ed representative to the PSNI (Professional Systems Network International) Global Alliance Supersummit and participated on the End User Panel in Atlanta on Feb. 21. He also was featured in Church Production Magazine in articles titled First Impression: Dante AV (February 2019) and Do You Need a Spiritual Spring Break? (March 2019).

 

 

Dr. Bob Namvar, professor of economics, had a paper published in the International Review of Business Research Papers (March 2019). It was titled A Recessionary U.S. Economy Will be a Surprise.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Mi Kyung Han, assistant professor of computing, software and data sciences, served on a panel at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Corona, for the Women’s History Event on March 26. The panelists discussed on career management, career development and work-life integration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lauri Hauck, visiting professor of kinesiology, and Dr. Monica O’Rourke, professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) conference in Garden Grove, California, on Feb. 21-22. They presented in a panel discussion titled Teaching credential experiences: What to expect as a teaching candidate. Graduate student Joe Pacheco also participated in the panel, sharing his teaching experiences. O’Rourke and graduate student Keith Coury made a co-presentation titled Functional fitness and agility for the student population. O’Rourke is CAHPERD’s State future professional liaison and hosted the state future professional luncheon for more than 100 student teachers from across the state of California.

 

 

Personnel Updates

 

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CBU president receives high honors from Boy Scouts

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of California Baptist University, received the national Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America during the Mt. Rubidoux District’s annual award banquet on March 20. Some 180 people, including scouts, government officials and business people, attended the event held at CBU.

“As an Eagle Scout, [Dr. Ellis] continued to serve his community, his nation and his God, and has distinguished himself as a civic, academic, entrepreneurial and pastoral leader,” Mike Goldware, a member of the Mt. Rubidoux District Distinguished Citizen Dinner committee, said when making the special presentation.

Ellis said he was honored and humbled to receive the award.

The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is given to an individual who has earned the rank of Eagle Scout at least 25 years prior to nomination and distinguished himself in his chosen field of endeavor beyond a local area. Only two others from the greater Riverside region previously have been honored as Distinguished Eagle Scouts.

Nationally, other recipients of the DESA include President Gerald R. Ford, astronaut Neil Armstrong and Rex Tillerson, former ExxonMobil CEO and U.S. secretary of state.

The CBU president also received the 2019 Distinguished Citizen Award from the Mt. Rubidoux District. The award is bestowed each year on individuals who have demonstrated a deep commitment and service to the community. Previous Mt. Rubidoux District Distinguished Citizen honorees include Assemblyman Jose Medina, Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey and Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz.

“Dr. Ellis exemplifies the values that Boy Scouts promotes,” said Tracy Youden, of California Inland Empire Council-BSA.

Since becoming the fifth president of CBU in 1994, Ellis has guided the university to incredible growth across the institution’s 10 colleges and professional schools that offer more than 150 undergraduate majors, minors and concentrations. Enrollment has grown from 808 in 1994 to 10,486 in 2018. The budget has grown from $11 million to $321 million.

New construction, renovation of existing facilities and property acquisitions have dramatically transformed CBU’s campus during the Ellis presidency. Among the new buildings are the 5,050-seat Events Center and the three-story, 100,000 square-foot Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building. CBU’s first five-level parking garage is scheduled for completion in 2019.

 

Students earn top honors from organizations in college media

Students from the journalism and new media and public relations programs at California Baptist University have accumulated 26 awards from preeminent organizations in college media, in a span of a few weeks.

At the Apple Awards for the College Media Association (CMA) in New York City on March 9, the program received four “Apple Awards,” the association’s highest prize for U.S. college media. Angelos yearbook earned first place for Spread Design and Pursuit Magazine earned first place for Best Magazine Cover for the Fall 2018 issue.

CBU students claimed 18 awards for Pursuit Magazine and The Banner newspaper at the awards banquet for the California College Media Association (CCMA), held in Long Beach, California, on March 2. The accolades included six first-place honors for Best Magazine Photo Series, Best Magazine Photo, Best Magazine Cover, Best Social Media Platform, Best Newspaper Spread Design and Best Newspaper.

At the Associated Collegiate Press award competition, held on the same evening as the CCMA awards, Lancers TV landed a first place prize—a first for CBU.

“We are excited to receive these high honors in competitions among the top journalism programs in California and throughout the United States,” said Dr. Michael Chute, director of the journalism and new media and public relations program. “Our students work extremely hard to produce top-notch campus publications, and winning such prestigious awards at both CMA and CCMA attests to the excellent work our students are doing for CBU’s campus publications.”

 

CBU wins numerous awards at local advertising competition

Students, staff and alumni at California Baptist University combined to win more than 20 awards including two Best of Show honors at the American Advertising Awards—Inland Empire Gala on March 15.

Mallory Cheatham, a CBU senior, earned Best of Show in the student category for Elements of Advertising – Illustration.

Michael Berger, program director for graphic design and photography, noted that CBU students have won Best of Show and Gold awards in the past four competitions.

“These wins are a testament to CBU’s graphic design and visual arts program’s quality and the students’ hard work,” Berger said.

The CBU Marketing and Communication division earned five awards, including Gold and a Special Judges Award for Integrated Advertising Campaign: “Live Your Purpose.”

Adam Jaynes (’16), creative art director for Wildwood Calvary Chapel, won Best of Show for an integrated advertising campaign in the professional competition.

Local Gold and Best of Show winners will advance to the district competition with a chance to move on and compete at the national level.

To see a complete list of winners in all categories, visit https://aafinlandempire.com.

 

Teacher Career Fair connects students with job opportunities

Mallory Castorena, a California Baptist University teaching credential student, was excited to look for a teaching internship at the Teacher Career Fair on March 13. With more than 40 schools and school districts attending the event, she had many opportunities to network.

“I haven’t had practice with [job] interviews yet, so this gives me that next step to see what it’s going to be like when I am officially ready,” Castorena said.

Deborah Bush (’99), who is earning her Master of Science in Education, prepared for the event by utilizing the services at the Career Center at CBU. She is looking for a multi-subject teaching position.

“The fair has all the employers centrally localized. We can get our resume into the hands of those districts who are potentially hiring,” Bush said. “We get the experience of meeting with employers, becoming more familiar with what they are looking for, how we should dress and how we should present ourselves.”

Nick Powers, acting director of personnel in Lake Elsinore Unified School District and principal at Canyon Lake Middle School, said the event has been beneficial for him in recruiting employees.

“We get to see people face to face and talk to them,” Powers said. “It gives you the ability to talk up your district, it gives you the ability to talk about the positions you have and you get to meet people right now, collect information and get their resumes.”

 

Honors Exhibit displays creative artwork from CBU students

California Baptist University hosted an opening reception for the 7^th annual Honors Exhibit at the Rose Garden Chapel Art Gallery on March 11.

A variety of work produced by CBU students in visual arts courses is now on display at the exhibit. Visual arts faculty selected the artwork, featuring mixed media, paintings, drawings and sculptures.

Kristine Lippire, associate professor of visual art, said the exhibit showcases some of the best art work produced by students at CBU.

“It really is here to show the CBU community what these students are accomplishing,” Lippire said. “I hope the students who visit the show see how hard these students are working and are just in awe of these students’ talents the way faculty are.”

The opening reception also included an awards ceremony that highlighted distinction within the Honors Exhibit.

CBU students were judged on five different platforms: drawing, design, mixed media, ceramics and painting.

Awards given included:

Best Drawing: Emma Limtiaco
Best Design: Giovanna Savocchio
Best Mixed Media: Mayuli Lemus
Best Ceramics: Sara George
Best Painting: Kiera Chitwood
People’s Choice for Best Artwork: Bethany Steele
Best Overall Work by a Student, Faculty Choice: Christina Izaguirre

Izaguirre, a visual arts junior, created eight pieces for the exhibit.

Lippire said Izaguirre displayed a variety of mediums that showed how talented an artist she is.

“This year, I focused on broadening my skills in various mediums such as graphite and charcoal. I also did a piece on a K-pop band. This was my favorite piece, and it took the longest, but I was most proud of how it came out in the end,” Izaguirre said.

Steele, a psychology freshman, won the People’s Choice award for her art pieces that included a scribble drawing and a self-portrait.

“The scribble drawing probably took the longest I’ve ever spent on a drawing, but probably is my favorite drawing as well, because I did not give up on it,” Steele said. “[The drawing comes from] a picture I took from a trip to Italy.”

The Honors Exhibit is open Monday – Friday from noon – 8 p.m. until April 5.

 

Chapel speaker at CBU addresses reconciliation

God calls believers to be advocates for reconciliation, Dhati Lewis told a chapel audience at California Baptist University on March 12.

“An advocate is someone who pleads the cause of another with the goal of reconciliation,” Lewis said.

Lewis is the lead pastor of Blueprint Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and the executive director of community restoration with the North American Mission Board.

Lewis expounded on the book of Philemon where the Apostle Paul advocated for a relationship to be restored by sending a runaway slave back to Philemon with a plea for reconciliation.

Advocates rely on the person and work of Christ, Lewis said. Additionally, advocates run toward the tension of injustice, not away from it, Lewis added.

“We should be able to create environments where we have real talk, not just the talk we have around people who look like us, talk like us and act like us,” Lewis said.

Further, Lewis said, advocates respond the way Paul did—with dignity.

“We don’t find our identity in our opinions, in our thoughts,” Lewis said. “Paul responds to all parties with dignity, advocating reconciliation.”

A godly advocate also reflects the golden rule, Lewis said.

“No one comes to any table objectively. Your mind is meant to generalize. When generalizations go bad, prejudice and racism come in,” Lewis said.

 

Athletic training brings Hall of Fame professionals to campus

The athletic training program at California Baptist University celebrated the National Athletic Training Month of March by hosting an event that allowed students to hear from acclaimed athletic training professionals. Six people who have been inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Hall of Fame shared insights from their careers on March 8.

Lisa Friesen, assistant professor of athletic training at CBU, said the purpose of the event was twofold.

“It was a combination of wanting to cast vision for our students (and) also to create an atmosphere to celebrate those who have gone before us in the profession,” Friesen said.

Julie Max, the first female NATA president and assistant athletics director at California State University, Fullerton, said her Christian faith helps shapes the care she gives.

“I am a woman of a faith and I think that has been my driving force to my patient care,” Max said.

Bill Chambers, former Fullerton College athletic trainer, explained why he enjoyed his profession.

“As an athletic trainer, you may not realize the impact you had on a young’s person life, but they will always remember how you made them feel,” Chambers said. “To me, our profession is more about outcomes rather than incomes. Our profession is about others and those you take care of.”

Rodrigo Perez, an athletic training graduate student at CBU, said the event was a great opportunity to network and learn about his future profession.

“This profession is a people profession. It’s about connecting with the people and making sure you’re striving to help as much as you can,” Perez said.

Jacqueline Davidson (’13) said hearing from the Hall of Famers was empowering and inspiring.

“We are here for a reason. Our purpose is to glorify God and to be able to use the talents that He’s entrusted us with,” Davidson said. “To tie it in with the fruit of the Spirit, you need gentleness and kindness to be able to reach people and get their trust to have that healthy work setting and to do your job well.”

 

Family Updates

Dr. Daniel Prather, professor of aviation science, taught a course at the National Business Aviation Association International Operators Conference in San Francisco on March 1. It was titled Safety Management Systems for Business Aviation. He also taught a course at the Helicopter Association International Heli Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 4. It was titled Effective Leadership in Business Aviation.

 

 

Dr. Ed Garrett, associate professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, was featured in a story by Athlete Assessments, an international athlete organization. In the story, Garrett explains the link between the coaching connection and behavioral types.

 

 

 

Mary Ann Stahovich, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, and CBU student Jess Horning spoke at the Citrus Health Conference in Riverside on March 3. They spoke about becoming a physician’s assistant to undergraduates from across the Inland Empire seeking information on different allied health professions.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for Information Technology Services, was a guest on several podcasts: Behind the Mixer, A Theology of Church Tech Arts: Interview with Dr. Josiah Way; Convergent Radio, The Road to AVtopia: Join the Legion; and Convergent Radio, The Road to AVtopia: The #NonCommEMEA Conversation Continues, Getting a Job in AV, and The Great AVTopia Debate. He also had an article published in Church Production Magazine, AV Over IP: Sound, Sight and Science.

 

 

Dr. Veola Vazquez, professor of psychology, and Dr. Aine Bergin, assistant professor of psychology, had an article published in the Journal of Drug Issues. It was titled Effectiveness of a Specialized Inpatient Treatment Program for Substance and Alcohol Abusing Pregnant Women.

 

 

 

Michael Jewell, director of Tahquitz Pines Conference Center, presented at the 19th International Conference on Knowledge, Culture, and Change in Organizations at the University of British Columbia, Robson Square, on Feb. 21-22. The presentation was titled Organizational Culture in a Small, Non Profit Organization in Transition: The Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument in Use at Tahquitz Pines Conference Center.

 

 

 

Dr. William Boyer, assistant professor of kinesiology, presented research study at the 2019 American Heart Association EPI Lifestyle Scientific Sessions in Houston, Texas, on March 5-8. It was titled Leisure-time aerobic physical activity reduces diabetes-related mortality: NHANES III. The abstract also was published in Circulation (March 2019).

 

 

 

Dr. Greg Bowden, professor of education, Dr. Jeannette Guignard, associate professor of organizational leadership, and Dr. Dirk Davis, associate vice president for academics, all for Online and Professional Studies, have published an article in the Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics (Volume 16). It was titled Using a Theoretical Framework as Infrastructure to Strengthen and Align Program Learning Outcomes and Assessments of an Online Leadership Program. 

 

 

Jennifer Costello, assistant professor of social work, conducted a Mental Health First Aid course through the Love Your Neighbor Community Program in Riverside on March 9. In the course, participants learned risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations and where to turn for help.

 

 

 

Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter, assistant professor of social work, presented research at the International Convention of Psychological Sciences in Paris, France, on March 8. The research was titled An Examination of Black Women’s Knowledge of Postpartum Depression and their Attitudes towards Seeking Mental Health Services.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Karla Ra, adjunct professor of Christian studies for Online and Professional Studies, presented a paper at the Southwest Regional Evangelical Theological Society meeting in New Orleans on March 8. It was titled Manifestations of the Spirit: Distinguishing Early Christian Prophecy from Its Greco-Roman Background.

 

Dr. Ogbochi McKinney, assistant professor of public health, Levi Garrett, assistant professor of kinesiology, and Dr. Pamela Mukaire, assistant professor of public health, all for Online and Professional Studies, published an article in Food Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal (volume 9). The title was Disability and Mental Health Status as Determinants of Food Insecurity among Immigrants in California.

 

 

 

Dr. David Hernandez, adjunct professor of public administration for Online and Professional Studies, was recognized by the Riverside Unified School District on March 5. Hernandez, a Victorville fire battalion chief and a former Riverside city firefighter, was honored for presenting water safety rules to first-graders. The Riverside City Firefighters have read the book Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim to 11,074 first-graders since 2015.

 

 

 

The Office of Institutional Research provided a workshop for staff and faculty on March 12 and 13. The workshop focused on decision-making using CBU data: where to find the information, what information is available, and how to use the information.

 

 

 

Dr. Natalie Winter, professor of marketing and management, spoke at Navigating Motherhood, an outreach ministry of Compass Bible Church, in Aliso Viejo, California, on Feb. 28-March 1. The title was A Good God in a Bad World.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jay Burke, associate professor of psychology, was recently selected to serve as a member of the accreditation reviewer pilot program for the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE). COAMFTE oversees programmatic accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) master’s and doctoral programs in the United States. He also was selected as the chair elect for the Telehealth and Technology Interest Group of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The group represent MFTs who utilize and/or support the use of telehealth as part of their mental health practice.

 

 

Noemi Hernandez Alexander, assistant professor of political science and public administration for Online and Professional Studies, spoke at the Annual Dreams & Decisions workshop sponsored by Soroptimist International of Corona on March 1. She encouraged young women to be content with who they are, confident in their abilities and courageous in pursuit of their dreams.

 

 

 

Dr. Douglas Barnett, adjunct professor of management for Online and Professional Studies, presented at a Business as Mission seminar in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on March 6-8. His presentations included Introduction and Defining the Problem, Theology of Work and Future Directions, where do we go from here?

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Gaynell Vanderslice, assistant professor of business management, conducted a workshop at San Diego State University, sponsored by Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement on March 9. The workshop was titled Emotional Intelligence for Aspiring Leaders. 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Robert Pate, associate professor of psychology, and his wife, Kira, welcomed a daughter Feb. 5. Savannah Ryann Pate weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 20 inches. She joins siblings Jackson, 6, and Elijah, 3

 

 

 

 

Bryce Burditt, assistant director of undergraduate admissions, visit and events, and his wife, Shelbie, welcomed a daughter on Feb. 28. Scotland “Scotti” Jane Burditt weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 20 inches long. She joins brother Levi, 2.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

Biblical scholar discusses ways the Holy Spirit moves

The Holy Spirit is active today in a variety of ways in a Christian’s life, Dr. Graham Cole told a California Baptist University audience on March 5.

Cole is the dean and professor of biblical and systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He has written or contributed to multiple books, including “Engaging With the Holy Spirit” and “The God Who Became Human.” Cole spoke as part of the School of Christian Ministries Lecture Series at CBU.

Cole discussed ways the Holy Spirit can be seen in the life of the believer, starting with “birthing believers.” He cited John 3:1-8, where Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born of the Spirit.

“Our birth from above, is our entrance into the family of God,” Cole said. “Regeneration is a miracle, whether the human experience is spectacular or quiet, it is a divine work.”

The Holy Spirit also provides assurance, Cole said.

“The very fact that the children of God call on their heavenly father is itself evidence of the Spirit’s work,” Cole said.

Additionally, the Holy Spirit intercedes for believers, Cole said.

“If you live long enough, you’ll be spiritually winded more than once. The devil is real. Our fallenness is real and our fragility is real,” Cole said. “The Holy Spirit maintains our access to the Father, and sustains our intentionality to pray, even when we’re spiritually winded by circumstances and we just don’t know what to pray.”

Finally, Cole said, the Holy Spirit dwells in believers and God is to be glorified in how they live.

“In the Old Testament, the nations flock to Zion,” Cole said. “The New Testament idea is that Zion goes everywhere—wherever you are, there is Zion; there is the temple, the temple has gone global.”

Jenesis Andrews-Kendale, an applied theology freshman, said she took away from the lecture that prayer reveals a Christian’s beliefs.

“What stuck with me was the way that we pray models our relationship with the Father,” Andrews-Kendale said. The Holy Spirit is part of that relationship and needs to be part of prayer, she added.

Zac Bezansky, an applied theology sophomore, said he appreciates the lecture series.

“I love these opportunities. It’s really helpful because they do a good job of tying together everything [through the speakers] that we’re learning in the classroom in an applicable way,” Bezansky said.

 

Professor encourages students to pursue social enterprise

Dr. Darla Donaldson, associate professor of finance and social entrepreneurship at California Baptist University, has a knack for keeping interesting props in her office.

Jewelry from Nigeria, a knit cap from Uganda, an empty compost bag, a bar of soap and a soccer ball found on the shelves are some of the teaching tools used to spark entrepreneur creativity.

Creating new enterprises can help rescue people out of poverty and human trafficking in addition to providing opportunities for environmental stewardship, Donaldson said.

Donaldson has a history as a social entrepreneur herself. She has been involved with organizations such as: Path of Life Ministries, which offers holistic system of health care to the homeless population; Business 4 Transformation, which works in the 10-40 window; and Olive Crest, which assists at-risk children. She has worked with nonprofit organizations, helping them brainstorm social enterprise options; served on advisory boards; and helped to formulate metrics to evaluate a company’s spiritual impact.

“My whole motivation for social enterprise is to help people and help them provide an avenue to support their families,” Donaldson said. “The difference between a social entrepreneur and an entrepreneur is that social entrepreneurs are motivated from compassion.”

Donaldson takes this passion and seeks to pass it along to her students to pursue such endeavors. For instance, in one course—Microfinance (BUS 363), she has her students examine ways microfinance, as a tool, can help alleviate global poverty so that sustainable change might occur.

In her Social Entrepreneurship course (ENT 362), Donaldson instructs students how to use business skills and knowledge to create social change. Students develop a business plan for a social enterprise by determining what service or good to sell, analyzing market trends to understand who their customer would be in addition to proposing Christian principles for their core business values.

Donaldson said being an entrepreneur or social entrepreneur are equal pursuits.

“God wired some people to be entrepreneurs, but there are other people who have a compassion for a particular people group,” Donaldson said.

For those students who have the compassionate wiring, Donaldson seeks to open a window into the social entrepreneurship arena and help inspire ideas that make positive changes in society.

“I hope that the students will look to see where God is at work in the lives of people around them and join Him in that work. God can use their skills to make a difference,” Donaldson said.

 

CBU wrestling earns distinctions at national competition

Four Lancer wrestlers walked away with All-American awards, including a championship title for Zach Schrader, at the 2019 National Collegiate Open. The championship event is an opportunity for NCAA Division 1 wrestlers, who are ineligible for the NCAA Championships, to compete against each other.

California Baptist University is in a multi-year transition into D-I play. During the first four transitional years, CBU athletic teams will not be eligible for NCAA playoffs.

Read the full story here.

 

 

 

Mohler encourages students to see the truth of the Gospel

The world is divided into two groups, those who will see Jesus and those who will not see Him, Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. told a California Baptist University chapel audience on Feb. 26.

Mohler is president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also hosts two popular programs called “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and world events from a Christian perspective, and “Thinking in Public,” a show that hosts influential leaders.

Mohler expounded from John 9 and the story of Jesus healing a man that was born blind.

“John was a master storyteller through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,” Mohler said. “In John chapter 9 you get a story full of irony. The guy who ends up knowing the most is the person who saw the least.”

The blind man was not even allowed in the temple due to his disability, but he became a theologian after he had a life-transforming experience through the healing of Jesus, explained Mohler, when the blind man lectured the Pharisees about his miraculous healing.

“The Pharisees had perfectly good eyes but couldn’t see anything spiritually,” Mohler said.  “This story is not just a fairytale. This story happened so that people can understand they are one of these two groups in the story.”

“There are people who will see Jesus, and there are those who will not see him,” Mohler said.  “This is the difference between heaven and hell.

“What this story does is it points us back to the Gospel. Whoever believes or sees will be saved. He who has eyes let him or she see,” Mohler said.

 

CBU students present research at math and science symposium

Gurparsad Singh Suri, a biology junior at California Baptist University, stood next to a large poster board filled with charts, figures and diagrams. He motioned back and forth from the poster to his audience, as he explained the different types of air pollution in the environment.

“I initially thought when you open up a window you get better air quality, but that is not always the case. Even when you open a window, you are letting dust inside, and that can build up over time,” Suri explained. “The research was taxing because every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we had to go out and do the measurements. And it was also awesome learning that there are things you can’t see or sense that can affect your health.”

Suri was one of the more than 40 presenters throughout the day at the 11th annual Natural and Mathematical Sciences Research Symposium that was held on Feb. 23 at CBU.

Dr. Lisa Hernandez, associate dean for the Division of Natural and Mathematical Sciences at CBU, said the goal of the symposium is to cultivate a culture of research.

“This event gives students an opportunity to participate in undergraduate research and to present it in a style that is professional,” Hernandez said.

Scientists and mathematicians need to know how to communicate their ideas effectively, Hernandez said. These professionals are constantly presenting at conferences, she added.

“All student researchers work closely with a faculty advisor,” said Hernandez, on how students’ work is added to the symposium. “One of our goals of the symposium is to give presentation opportunities to as many students as possible, so we are very encouraging even to the students who are just starting out in research.”

Ashley Lobos, an environmental science junior, presented research on the effects of plastics on the growth of lettuce.

Lobos said she enjoyed the practical experience she gained from her research.

“I enjoyed conducting hands-on research. I love plants, and it was a great experience to grow and then examine them,” Lobos said. “[Through the research] I learned that plastics are a big issue when it comes to affecting the food we eat. Plastics don’t completely biodegrade, it just gets broken down into small pieces. We can eventually consume plastic particles.”

Lobos said a take-away from her research was to find out more ways society can reduce its dependency on plastic products.

“I’m always blown away by what the students produce and the research that they’re doing. They produce some high-quality things and are thought-provoking and applicable and necessary,” Hernandez said.

 

Career Expo brings job opportunities to CBU students

Tomas Perez approached the Spring Career Expo at California Baptist University on Feb. 20 as a learning experience. Before the event, the computer science sophomore had the Career Center critique his resume. He also researched and learned more about organizations that would be participating in the expo.

“I think it’s very beneficial to have this event on campus because it brings employers who are willing to look at potential candidates,” Perez said. “It brings them all here so it’s very easy for students to attend and get some experience speaking to employers.”

The Career Expo coordinated by the CBU Career Center featured nearly 100 commercial businesses, nonprofits and government agencies that were offering internship and job opportunities.

The event is a great way for students to connect with an employer, said Lisa Singer, associate director of employer relations in the Career Center.

“This is an outstanding opportunity to network and get their name and face in front of people,” Singer said. “It is a perfect atmosphere to practice professional communication with recruiters.”

Rio Guzman, a sociology junior, said it was a bit nerve-wracking to engage with potential employers at first but the experience grew easier as she continued the process.

“It’s nice that CBU is able to bring all the businesses and organizations to us because it makes it easier and accessible rather than having all go and find out them,” Guzman said. “It feels like they’re trying to enhance our experience here and make sure we get jobs with our degrees.”

Andrew Kotlewski, a mechanical engineering junior, secured an internship at the Fall Engineering Fair last semester. He stopped by the Career Expo to greet the company he will intern with this summer.

“Working with the Career Center prepared me for the event. Then I went and I got an internship,” Kotlewski recalled of his prior experience at the engineering fair.

 

Lancer Day aims to solidify college choice for high schoolers

Savannah Olszewski, a Lake Elsinore resident, made her commitment to California Baptist University official on Feb. 19 at Lancer Day. At the “Choose CBU Party,” she wrote her name on the large CBU letters, indicating her decision to become a Lancer beginning in fall 2019.

Throughout the day, Olszewski also learned about academics at CBU, met her peers and learned about the CBU culture.

“I’m a nursing major, so I felt a lot more comfortable with what I needed to do for the major,” Olszewski said of her experience at Lancer Day. “I chose CBU because it is a mix between a big university and a small private university.”

Lancer Day is one of several days that CBU holds throughout the year to connect prospective and accepted students to campus life. More than 200 potential Lancers, many accompanied by their parents, participated in the event. The visitors had the opportunity to attend chapel, hear from deans, program directors and various campus offices.

“This day is meant to help [potential students] make their decision to choose CBU. It’s giving them a sneak peek into CBU,” said Dustin Lowe, director of undergraduate admissions. “The Choose CBU Party is a celebratory and exciting and fun way to say ‘I’m committed.’”

Chloe Daniels, a high school senior from Huntington Beach, said she liked the faculty, the academics and the food at CBU. She also made her commitment to attend CBU at Lancer Day.

“I know what I want to do for my career. I just have to find the path to get there. Today really helped me with that,” said Daniels, who plans to major in psychology.  “The housing is nicer than a lot of other colleges I toured. I felt like, ‘I can see myself living here.’”

 

Speaker encourages audience to trust Jesus in the storm

Jesus is trustworthy, D.A. Horton declared to a chapel audience at California Baptist University on Feb. 19.

“I don’t know what God has in store for you when you leave chapel today, but I do know that He wants you to come to Him,” Horton said.

Horton is pastor of Reach Fellowship located in Long Beach, California. He is also a chief evangelist for the Urban Youth Workers Institute, a nonprofit that trains urban youth workers to evangelize and disciple at-risk youth throughout the U.S. Prior to becoming a pastor, Horton was the executive director at Reach Records a production company that aims to use rap music as a way to preach the Good News.

Horton taught from the Gospel accounts that record Jesus’ miracle of walking on water.

Before that miracle, Jesus sent his disciples on a journey that would lead them directly into a storm, Horton said.

“Complications prevented the disciples from getting to the other side of the lake,” Horton said. “This was all a part of God’s will. The scriptures say that in the midst of their struggles, ‘Jesus saw his disciples struggling.’”

Jesus also sees when believers are struggling in life, when they are crying, when they do not see a way out of their storm in life, Horton said.

“Jesus will never leave you or forsake you,” Horton said. “Even in the lowest points of your life, Jesus sees you and wants to have fellowship with you in that storm.”

The disciples had reached a point where no resources and no people would help them with the storm they were facing, Horton said.

“When Jesus appeared to His disciples He declared that, ‘It is I, do not be afraid,” Horton said. “He reminded them that—He is God—and He was with them in the storm—and that He was going to take care of them.”

Storms in life allow believers to develop spiritual maturity, Horton said. Christians mature as they are forged through fire, he added.

“If there is one point I want you to leave with today, it is that Jesus is trustworthy. Turn to Jesus let Him be the center of all your pursuits,” Horton said.

 

CBU practicum luncheon honors collaborative agencies

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences hosted a practicum luncheon to honor 40 agencies—ranging from school districts to government programs to nonprofits— for their collaboration and support of the Master of Science in Counseling Psychology program on Feb 15.

The event also gave counseling psychology students at California Baptist University a chance to network with the agencies representatives. Counseling psychology students at CBU are required to obtain at least 400 practicum hours.

“The practicum luncheon is a time when our students and our wonderful agencies come together to bring all this hard work to fruition to really begin to help clients,” Dr. Mischa Routon, associate dean of graduate programs in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, told the audience.

The event benefits both the agencies and the students, said Dr. Jay Burke, program director of the Master of Science in Counseling Psychology program at CBU.

“For the students, it’s accessibility,” Burke said. “This is an opportunity for them to come in and meet people face to face. Through these conversations, they can get clarity on a potential placement for them.”

For the agencies, it is a way for them to get a sense of which students they think will be a good fit, Burke added.

Leslie Delgado, a graduate student in the counseling psychology program, wants to work with couples and children. Delgado said she looks forward to starting her practicum work.

“The practicum will definitely give me that experience that I need,” Delgado said. “It will help me put into practice what I’ve learned in the classroom.”

Arvely Lopez, a counseling psychology graduate student, desires to conduct a practicum at a school or a hospital.

“It’s all about exposure. The more clients you see, the more prepared you are,” Lopez said. “Also, you’re building up experience. Clients from different cultures and different issues are going to come up, so getting exposure is good experience.”

 

Family Updates

Dr. Jeff Gage, professor of nursing, co-authored an article in the Disability and Rehabilitation journal. The title is Living well with chronic pain: A classical grounded theory.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Erin Smith, associate professor of psychology, participated in the Bridging the Two Cultures of Science and the Humanities II, North American Colloquium in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Feb. 15-17. Smith moderated a session titled Developing research to equip churches to address science and faith questions. She also presented in a session titled Collaborative student and faculty research and its impact on teaching.

 

 

 

Dr. Joshua Rodriguez, assistant professor of music theory and composition, had his orchestral work performed by Symphony Irvine in Bellflower, California, on Jan. 25. Titled Souls Like Birds, the work explores themes of poverty and the transformative work of Christians to renew the inner city.

 

 

 

Dr. Daniel Prather, professor of aviation science, was a guest speaker at the Experimental Aircraft Association chapter 905 luncheon at St. Simons Island Airport, St. Simons Island, Georgia, on Feb. 10.  Prather presented on Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Airports.

 

 

 

 

 

Greta Anderson, assistant director of undergraduate admissions, was named employee of the month for March. Her nomination included the following statements: “Greta is always here when needed and I constantly see her staying after work to finish up projects to make sure that the team is successful. I can always rely on Greta to perform her daily responsibilities and she consistently goes above and beyond to help others with their work.  She has become a ‘rock’ for this office.”

 

 

 

Dr. Joel Bigley, assistant professor of business, published a textbook, Executing Transformation (Archway, Jan. 31, 2019), on change leadership.

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for Information Technology Services, was named a finalist and runner-up for the global 2018 “AV Professional of the Year” award presented by AV Nation. He had articles in Church Production Magazine: The Most Underrated Must-Have FOH Technology for Churches; A 4-Point Checklist for Portable Church Staging; and How to Get Started (and Thrive) in Church Tech. He also was a guest on AVWeek discussing the topic AV Risk.

 

 

Dr. Seung-Jae Kim, professor of bioengineering, co-authored a paper with CBU students—Kailey Nishimura, Eva Martinez, Alexander Loeza and Jessica Parker—that was published in PLOS ONE (December 2018). The paper was titled Effects of periodic sensory perturbations during electrical stimulation on gait cycle period.

 

 

 

Dr. Karen Cross, assistant professor of education, and Dr. Ted Murcray, assistant professor of education, presented at the California Association for the Gifted conference in Palm Springs on Feb. 24. The title of the presentation was Are 2E Students Getting What They Need? Cross also co-presented Are Gifted Identification Practices and Services Connected?

 

 

 

The Fletcher Jones Foundation recently awarded CBU with a $600,000 grant—which will be doubled through the University endowment matching program—to create a future Fletcher Jones Foundation Endowed Professorship of Research position at CBU. Dr. Mary Spellman, executive director of the Fletcher Jones Foundation, attended the dedication ceremony at CBU on March 1. She expressed the confidence the foundation’s Board of Trustees have in CBU’s leadership to implement and sustain this professorship and its appreciation of the vision that guides the university’s future.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jay Burke, associate professor of psychology, and Dr. Lauren Bennett were married in Zion National Park in Utah on Oct. 27.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Tom Schneider, associate professor of English for Online and Professional Studies, and his wife, Rita, welcomed a son on Feb. 4. Simon Mark Schneider weighed 9 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 20.75 inches. He joins brother, Ethan, 2.

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

 

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

Theatre tech week gets Wallace Theatre ready for production

As audiences enjoy “Pride and Prejudice” performances at California Baptist University this weekend, there will be another production going on behind the scenes.

The costume and makeup crew will give the actors the right look, the backstage crew will move scenery and props into place at the right time and the lighting and sound operators will make sure the actors can be seen and heard clearly. The week leading up to a play at CBU is known as theatre tech week. Students, who are working on the play, labor to bring all the elements needed for the show together.

Included in the theatre program curriculum is technical practicum, where students get hands-on experience, said Lee Lyons, professor of theatre. They also learn how to cast a play and direct it, Lyons added.

“Our behind-the-scenes crew are incredibly important—they keep the show on course and ensure everything is moving smoothly,” said Amanda Rountree, guest director for “Pride of Prejudice.”

Nicole “Koli” Marks, a theatre junior and an assistant designer for hair and makeup, was tasked with researching fashion styles of the early 19th century. Putting on a play is a team effort, Marks said.

“As a performer, you can’t get up on stage unless you have an awesome backstage team,” Marks said.

Joanna Ingold, an English sophomore, is assistant director of “Pride and Prejudice.” She watched rehearsal scenes closely with the director in order to offer instructive feedback to the cast.

“The most fun is seeing it progress,” Ingold said. “I’ve watched every single stage of this thing. I’ve seen it since the actors were reading lines.”

Among her many jobs as assistant stage manager, Tyler Shelley, a theatre junior, makes sure everyone has their props and is in position at the right time.

“It’s super important for any actor to work backstage. There are some actors you can tell who have worked backstage. It comes through in their work ethic onstage and in rehearsals because they’re respectful with their props and their time,” Shelley said. “Working backstage, you learn the other side and it’s not more or less work, it’s just different. You get to see all sides of it.”

Lyons said that the skills the students are learning behind the stage is valuable to becoming a part of a professional theatre production team.

“Even if they are an actor by trade, they need to have the ability to make plays, to be effective in the theatre no matter what position they’re in,” Lyons said.

 

“Pride and Prejudice” comes to Wallace Theatre

The theatre program at California Baptist University is bringing the wit and romance of Jane Austen’s classic 1813 novel “Pride and Prejudice” to life in a fast-paced and engaging adaptation. The first showing at Wallace Theatre starts on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.

The plot of the production sticks closely with Austen’s novel. For Elizabeth Bennet, the main character of the play, finding a husband is hardly on her priority list. However, with four sisters, an overzealous matchmaking mother and a string of unsuitable suitors, it is difficult to escape the subject. When the independent-minded Elizabeth meets the handsome but enigmatic Mr. Darcy, she is determined not to let her feelings triumph over her good sense.

“I would love for people to come away with a greater love and appreciation for Jane Austen,” said Amanda Rountree, the play’s guest director. “I would love for audiences to realize that she had and still has a lot to say about human nature and about the way that we interact with each other.”

One of the main themes in the storyline is making first impressions, said Rountree, who is a seasoned director, playwright and artist with theatre credits across Southern California. The message behind the play is to caution people against hasty judgements, Rountree added.

“How do we let first impressions color our understanding and our interactions with people and how do we overcome our first impressions and really truly learn to know and see other people well and love them well?” Rountree asked of the central theme of the play.

Emily Feaster, a theatre senior who plays Elizabeth, said “Pride and Prejudice” is one of her favorite stories.

“The best part of playing this role has been watching this classic novel come to life on stage and being a part of that process,” Feaster said. “The most challenging [aspect of my character] has probably been marrying the accent with the text. Austen’s words are much more elevated than what we are used to and it’s also beautiful but more of a challenge with the added layer of the British accent.”

Rebecca Patty, a Christian studies and theatre junior who plays Mrs. Bennet, said she has expanded her acting range to play this dynamic character.

“She is the most eccentric and high-energy character I’ve ever had the opportunity of playing. I’ve learned so much about how big I can make a character, and what I can do with my voice and mannerisms to bring a fictional person to life,” Patty said.

Scott Rydelski, theatre and comedic arts freshman, plays Mr. Wickham. The initial impressions of several characters such as—Darcy’s pride, Wickham’s charm, Elizabeth’s prejudice, Mrs. Bennet’s craziness—are not necessarily positive character traits, Rydelski said. However, as the play develops so do the characters, he added.

“What I hope the audience gets out of the play is that one should not judge a book buy its cover,” Rydelski said. “When one digs deeper, they are able to find the true humanism behind first impressions.”

When: Feb. 15-16, Feb. 21-23 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 16, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m.
Where: Wallace Theatre, California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA, 92504
Tickets or questions? Call the theatre box office at 951-343-4319 or email: mhyde@calbaptist.edu

 

Pastor urges that Gospel should be pervasive in churches

The Gospel must touch everything in a church—the doctrine, culture and spirituality—for it to be effective, Dr. Ray Ortlund told a California Baptist University audience on Feb. 14.

“Gospel doctrine is heard in a church and gospel culture is seen in a church,” Ortlund said. “Gospel spirituality is how we’re lifted up and carried along as we serve the Lord, here in this world of exhaustion and inertia.”

Ortlund is lead pastor at Immanuel Church in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as president of Renewal Ministries, a council member of The Gospel Coalition and author of multiple theological works. He spoke as part of the School of Christian Ministries Lecture Series at CBU.

Expounding on Galatians 2:11-21, Ortlund said gospel doctrine is often easier to know, but culture, which is more readily seen by the watching world, is often overlooked.

“Gospel culture is the grace of the doctrine made visible and real in the relationships and tone and vibe pervasive in a church. It’s difficult to define but when you walk into that environment you know it,” Ortlund said.

Yet even with the right doctrine, churches can lose their way, Ortlund cautioned.

“It is possible today to unsay by our church culture what we say by our church doctrine. Which means we can defeat the advance of the Gospel—however biblical our exposition, however brilliant our apologetics—by the conduct we display toward one another,” Ortlund said.

Justification by faith alone is the article on which the church stands or falls – therefore it should not be a mere abstraction but a gospel reality, Ortlund said. But when the love of Jesus moves hearts, he continued, believers can keep in step with the truth of the Gospel and preach and embody the doctrine.

“That reality has the power to refresh and unify exhausted sinners. That’s why our goal every Sunday is to shepherd people back into enjoying the love of Christ,” Ortlund said.

“There is nothing in all this world so happy, beautiful and prophetic as a church displaying before the world what it looks like really to believe in the dying love of Jesus. Then, church politics dies, dividing walls crumble, and we experience reformation and revival as unlikely people come together with a happiness from above.”

Genesis Kendal, an applied theology freshman, said the lecture highlighted what makes Christianity and the church different.

“Your doctrine, what you learn about Christ, what you learn about the Bible, has to be translated into your life and if it’s not, then you are really doing the doctrine injustice,” Kendal said.

J.J. Rodriguez, an applied theology freshman, said he learned from the lecture how sound doctrine and biblical church culture are equally important for a healthy church.

“The lecture series has been amazing for me. I’ve been able to hear highly educated speakers communicate the Gospel very clearly and speak on matters that are applicable to our faith,” Rodriguez said.

 

Renowned film producer offers insights into storytelling

Every great movie produces a response from the audience, Ralph Winter, a film producer, told a California Baptist University audience on Feb. 11.

“Who are you? It’s the question that every great story sets out to find the answer to,” Winter said. “That’s the journey you’re on as well. That’s why movies have relevance; they’re on the same journey as you.”

Winter has produced blockbuster films such as the “X-Men,” “Fantastic Four,” and “Planet of the Apes.” Winter has also produced the film “Hangman’s Curse,” which was a novel-to-movie creation written by Christian author Frank Peretti. Winter’s talk was hosted by the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design (CAVAD) at CBU.

To illustrate his points on storytelling, Winter played clips from the 2019 Oscar Best Picture nominees.

“Movies have a way of getting inside of you, of getting an emotional response and there’s a reason for that. I think there’s a hidden road map,” Winter said.

The best movies have seven characteristics—a need, a desire, an opponent, a plan of action, a battle, a self-revelation and a new equilibrium, Winter said.

“It’s about the way the story is told. It’s about the journey of the characters,” Winter said. “That’s what is engaging. That’s why you go. You want that feeling, you want that experience, you want to see what that character does.”

In movies, just like in music and books, the filmmakers are trying inject meaning into their work, Winter said.

“That self-revelation that we look for in each movie, is that something we can learn from? Is there something inside of us that resonates because we’re people of faith?” Winter asked.

Dr. Melissa Croteau, professor of film studies, said hearing from an experienced filmmaker can encourage students.

“It inspires students to pursue this as a career,” Croteau said. “Having someone here who has made a career in the industry successfully for so many years can encourage students to pursue this as a path for their life.”

 

Thousands of Lancers attend 2019 homecoming

Homecoming weekend at California Baptist University drew more than 5,000 alumni and friends to campus on Feb. 8-9.

At the Alumni Awards Dinner on Friday evening, Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, thanked the alumni audience for returning to campus and for all the support the university has received from them throughout the years.

CBU recognized several alumni at the dinner reception: C.L. Lopez, recipient of the Young Alumni Achievement Award; Dr. David Hernandez, Alumni Service Award recipient; R. Wayne Stacks, Distinguished Service in Christian Ministry Award recipient; Dr. Steve Johnson, recipient of the Alumnus of the Year award; Walt and Marilyn Crabtree Alumni Philanthropy Award recipients; and Margaret Hollis, recipient of the Lancer Medal for Lifetime Achievement award.

On Saturday, the festivities included 50-, 25- and 10-year class reunions.

Jim Rhodes, who participated in the 50-year reunion, said the growth at CBU was impressive.

“The change in the school has been kind of amazing,” Rhodes said. “It’s been exciting coming back and looking around after all these years. I haven’t really been here since ’73.”

Vi Estel graduated from CBU in 1964 and worked as the library’s archivist from 2004 until she retired in 2017. She said CBU has been an integral part of her life. Both of Estel’s sons attended CBU in the ’80s and she hopes her grandchildren will become Lancers one day.

New to homecoming this year was the addition of a Hymn Sing held in the Staples Room.  Dr. Joseph Bolin, dean of the Shelby and Ferne Collingsworth School of Music, led the worship event, conducting the audience in hymns such as “Victory in Jesus,” “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Blessed Assurance.”

Ted Campbell, a graduate from 1962, said the Hymn Sing was a good option for alumni.

“The location was a good choice too, because I’m sure a lot of the people in this audience can remember using this place as a chapel location,” Campbell said.

Campbell noted that he and many of his classmates first met their spouses in the Staples Room, adding to its sentimental value.

On Saturday evening the focus of festivities switched outdoors for a men’s basketball pregame party that featured games, activities and food for event goers leading up to the game’s tip-off.

The CBU Lancers secured a hard-fought 70-60 victory over University of Missouri-Kansas City in front of 4,813 fans. CBU marked its third consecutive win in Western Athletic Conference (WAC) action and improved to 13-10 overall and 5-5 in WAC play.

 

CBU students do their best to “Woo” audiences at talent show

The popular Woo Fest, a California Baptist University student talent show, had its largest turn-out ever with more than 2,000 spectators who showed up to watch the traditional event at the Fox Performing Arts Center on Feb 8.

The Woo Fest originated a decade ago around Valentine’s Day as an opportunity for the male students at CBU to “woo” the females with their various talents. The event has evolved into one the largest events at CBU.  Many students dressed in formal attire for the event.

Sarah Pacheco, a business administration freshman, said she enjoyed how she was treated at the Woo Fest.

“It is awesome how they made us feel so good as ladies. It was just a great night, I loved it,” said Pacheco.

Upon entering the Fox Theater, each female student was given a red rose and escorted to her seat.

“It was so nice to have all the girls feel appreciated especially right before Valentine’s Day. I really felt as though I was treated like royalty,” said Samantha Maynard, a psychology freshman.

The evening featured 10 different acts. In addition, the audience roared with laughter while viewing brief prodigy videos of popular movies such as the “The Notebook” and “La La Land.”

Genesis Andrews-Kendale, a Christian studies freshman, said she went to encourage the different acts.

“It was great coming to see my fellow students perform. They are all so talented and it was great to come and support them,” Kendale said.

 

CBU baseball announces fireworks nights

The Lancer baseball squad is celebrating its transition into NCAA Division I play with an opportunity for its fans to witness fireworks shows immediately following several games.

The first fireworks show is set to take place at the Lancers’ game against University of California, Riverside on March 2 at 4 p.m.

CBU Baseball Postgame Fireworks Schedule:

• Saturday, March 2 vs. University of California, Riverside at 4 p.m.
• Saturday, April 13 vs. California State University Bakersfield at 6 p.m.
• Friday, May 10 vs. Chicago State University at 6 p.m.

Single-Game Ticket Pricing
Adult: $7
Child: $5
Military: $5
Senior: $3
Visiting Student: $5
CBU Students/Faculty/Staff: Free 

 

Lunar New Year celebrated at campus festival

Moriah Masina, a marketing senior at California Baptist University, was browsing around several food booths at the Lunar New Year Celebration when something caught her eye. She decided to try Jiaozi, a Chinese dumpling. As she tasted the treat, she immediately smiled.

“I think students can broaden their horizons by attending events like these,” Masina said. “Students are able to see cultures outside of America, which is great because we are a melting pot of different cultures here at CBU.”

Community Life and the International Center at CBU hosted the event on Feb. 5 at the Community Life Lounge.

The Lunar New Year began on Feb. 5 and celebrations typically continue through Feb. 19. The event at CBU featured Chinese snacks, games, music and student performers. Additionally, CBU international students helped transcribe participants’ names into Mandarin.

Leslie Shelton, director of International Student Services at CBU, said the university has a growing Asian population.

“Celebrating this New Year makes some international students feel more at home,” Shelton said. “We want to celebrate their culture and introduce American students to a major holiday that is celebrated in different parts of the world.”

 

Wake Up Wednesdays bring students together through coffee

Meghan Lacey, a Christian behavioral science junior, is a frequent attendee of Wake Up Wednesday at California Baptist University. On Feb. 6, Lacey sat with a friend, enjoying a cup of hot coffee and a good conversation.

Despite the chilly winter weather, Lacey said she enjoys that the events are held outside.

“I like that it’s outdoors,” Lacey said. “It’s set up in a way where you can have conversations with people. I’m really thankful for that.”

Wake up Wednesday is a recurring event organized by the CBU Spiritual Life Office to give students an opportunity to connect with each other over coffee from a local roaster. Menu options include regular coffee, cold brew, lattes and cappuccinos typically served from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Jacob Ravenscraft, director of university ministries for Spiritual Life, said the idea behind this event is to build community.

“We are trying to create an extension of our office, a place for community to build so that we can build relationships,” Ravenscraft said.

Shiloh Fox, an art therapy junior, said she has made new friendships through the event.

“Last semester, I met with the same person every Wednesday. We would sit here, have interesting conversations and do our homework until class,” Fox said.

 

Summer Ministry and Job Fair offers students service options

“Do you like kids and dirt?” Mike Mills, from Rawhide Ranch, asked a student at California Baptist University.

The ranch, which offers summer camp options for youth, was one of more than 30 camps, conference centers and ministry groups participating in the Summer Ministry and Job Fair on Feb. 5. The Career Center at CBU organized the event that offered students internships and summer service opportunities.

“This is a great opportunity for students to build their resume and gain experience while earning income for the summer,” said Lisa Singer, associate director of employer relations. “Many of the camps and conferences centers are looking for candidates who have a desire to learn, lead and to work hard in some great environments.”

Carissa Arguello, a kinesiology junior, had found a summer position at a previous ministry fair at CBU so she decided to attend the event again.

“I want to find a way to serve God and also find something that will help me be successful in the future,” Arguello said. “Having the fair on campus makes it easy and accessible. You can see lots of different options and talk to many different people.”

Marcos Lemus, a nursing senior, was looking for an opportunity to serve in a health care capacity at a camp. Lemus said he appreciated having the opportunity to meet some representatives at the event.

“Going online and applying for something is impersonal. You don’t get to see the person you’d be working for,” Lemus said. “Talking to someone and seeing what they’re about helps you know more what the job will be like.”

Erin Capuchino, guest services director from Camp Oakhurst in Coarsegold, California, was looking to fill multiple positions.

“We want to give opportunities for students to develop in their faith as well as serve others. This is a great opportunity for them,” Capuchino said.

 

Seminar explores aesthetic works for leadership insights

A California Baptist University audience received insights, from a panel of experts, into leaders who changed and offered effective innovation in their respective fields.

The Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education hosted the event, titled “Architecture, Art, Literature, and Music: Aesthetical Insights to Leadership,” on Feb. 4. The event was part of the Leadership Seminar Series. The speakers were Dr. Joseph Bolin, dean of the Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Music; Mark Roberson, dean of the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design (CAVAD); Dr. Katherine Papineau, assistant dean of CAVAD; and Dr. Troy Hinrichs, professor of criminal justice.

Parallels can be drawn between the technique it takes to create a masterpiece such as Beethoven’s Fifth and repetitive techniques in leadership, Bolin said.

“In Beethoven’s Fifth, we hear a constant underlying theme that reminds the listeners of what they’re listening to even on the softer sections,” Bolin said. “Likewise, good leaders have an underlying mission that they should be reminding people of in less obvious ways.”

Roberson addressed how leaders can form spaces that motivate. Roberson said good architecture impacts the way individuals interact with a space. Leaders need to be aware of how created places communicates to those working within them, he added.

Papineau spoke about the 19th-century artist Jean Désiré Gustave Courbet. She noted how his realism portraits went against the norms of the time.

“Art is about process. Leadership within the arts show determination to keep changing the rules to change the world of art. Leaders today should do the same,” Papineau said.

Hinrichs discussed how literature has served as an influencer throughout history. Hinrichs said literature can also be a power form of inspiration.

Literature allows readers to go back in time and learn from mistakes and even see new issues through a different paradigm, Hinrichs said.

 

New minor equips students with digital writing tools

When Maxine Adjei-Dadson, a sophomore film major at California Baptist University, learned about a new minor that would give her unique communication skills in a rapidly digitized society, she jumped on the opportunity.

“I am already beginning to grasp that images can convey a story just as powerfully as the written word,” said Adjei-Dadson of her Digital Storytelling (JRN 216) course that is part of the writing and digital minor at CBU.

The minor launched during the fall 2018 semester. It is designed to combine the skills of traditional writing with an understanding of how information in consumed in the digital age. The 18-unit minor includes courses such as Professional Writing, Introduction to Digital Studies, Writing in Context and Literary Journal Editing and Publishing. It is designed to complement a broad range of majors and to prepare students for professional writing in a digital environment by developing and translating their written, analytical and research skills into the workplace.

“Students are going to need to write [after college], to understand how to reach an audience and how to analyze text,” said Dr. Laura Veltman, professor of American literature. “This is a very practical minor. It’s going to say on a resume, ‘I’m good at writing and I can write in a digital environment as well.’”

“Students are living and breathing in a digital environment,” said Jennifer Tronti, professor of English. “This minor should be appealing to anyone who is working in a field that is going to have some type of technology component, but also any field where they do need to do writing as part of their professional environment.”

Marcus A. Heredia, a junior English major, has taken several classes for the minor, including Professional Writing (ENG 302).

“One of the fundamental ideas of professional writing is maintaining ethics in our writing. The writing we perform in a professional environment can be archived and read by anyone in any setting,” Heredia said. “It not only prepares us perfectly for the world ahead of us, but also gives us extensive real world examples to practice.”

Students also will have the opportunity to create podcasts and websites and learn to consider the audience when writing, such as via a tweet or a blog post, Veltman said.

“We worship a God who calls himself the Word,” Veltman said. “He’s a story-teller, so when we create well with words, we’re worshipping God. We want to help our students get a handle on how can we use words and language and stories well.” 

 

CBU club hosts tutorial for engineering students

Electric wiring dangled from circuit boards as students worked in teams to ensure the connections were in the correct place. Jordan Miller, an electrical and computer engineering junior at California Baptist University, was leading a training exercise hosted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) club.

Miller said the event on Jan. 30 was organized for engineering students to provide basic knowledge of Arduino, an open-source electronic prototyping platform. Students learned how circuit boards are wired and how single-board microcontrollers programed through Ardunio function as the brains of the circuit boards.

“The goal of this event is to educate people on Arduino, how it is used, the programming involved with it and how to get a better understanding of how it operates,” Miller said

Catherine Lirazan, IEEE club president, said the event served as a practical application to the theories discussed in electrical engineering classes.

Student participating in the event received supplies and equipment in order to create a hands-on learning experience, she added.

“Tutorials from clubs such as ours add to what the classes teach us,” said Lirazan, an electrical and computer engineering senior.

Josiah Lopez, a mechanical engineering sophomore, said the event was informative.

“I am interested in learning Arduino and circuit building,” Lopez said. “I am excited to continue to apply the knowledge I learned in this tutorial to future projects.”

 

Family Updates

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, professor of communication, and C.L. Lopez, adjunct professor of arts and sciences for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the Public Relations Student Society of America meeting at California State University, San Bernardino on Jan. 29. The title was Strategies for Success after Commencement.

 

 

 

 

Lisa Singer, associate director of employer relations for the Career Center, presented to the Maximizing Engineering Potential Group at the Kellogg Honors College at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona on Jan. 25. The presentation was titled The Importance of Business Etiquette.

 

 

 

Jessica Alzen, adjunct professor of English for Online and Professional Studies, published a paper in Educational and Psychological Measurement. It was titled Making Inferences about Teacher Observation Scores Over Time.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Joshua Knabb, associate professor of psychology, was interviewed on Psychology Today’s website. In the interview, he discussed the role that self-compassion plays in mental health.

 

 

 

 

Globe Biomedical, co-founded by Dr. Matthew Rickard, professor of bioengineering, and Dr. Creed Jones, professor of computing, software and data sciences, received a National Science Foundation Phase I Small Business Innovation Research award. The award, nearly $225,000, will support commercialization research for the CBU patent-pending glaucoma sensor technology that was invented by Rickard and Jones.

 

 

 

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, associate professor of civil engineering and construction management, was recognized by GuideStone as faculty member of the game during the men’s basketball game on Jan. 24.

 

 

 

 

Dr. H. Bruce Stokes, professor of anthropology and behavioral sciences, gave two presentations at the On the Derekh conference, sponsored by Chosen People Ministries, in New York City on Jan. 28-30. The presentations were titled The Roles of Women in Cultural Transmission and Cultural Transformation and Identity and Boundaries in Closed Communities.

 

 

 

The College of Health Science welcomed eight sports science students from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. The students will be immersed in teaching and training methods related to American higher education and athletic competition at CBU throughout the month of February as part of an academic internship.

 

 

 

The Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering hosted an after-school STEM Discovery event at Sherman Indian High School on Jan. 23. Sherman students learned about force and propulsion as they built and raced air pressure powered vehicles.

 

 

 

Dr. Joel Bigley, assistant professor of business, published an article in the journal Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology (December 2018). The title was One to many: A framework for scaling risk mitigation assurance.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter, assistant professor of social work, was a guest presenter at the Maternal Wellness Symposium in Palm Springs on Feb. 2. Flores-Carter provided an overview of maternal mental health and enhancing maternal mental health care in hospital and clinics.

 

 

 

 

Nathan Castro, a chemical engineering sophomore, was selected as a Society of Chemical Industry Scholar. Typically, only 30 chemistry and chemical engineering students from around the country are chosen for the internship program each year. Students are selected based on the strength of their application, statement of interest in an industrial internship and letters of recommendation.

 

 

 

Mario Soto, adjunct professor of sport and performance psychology, worked with the baseball team at Mississippi State University on Jan. 25-27. He used his sport and baseball background as he worked with the team on various sport psychology key concepts in preparation for the upcoming season.

 

 

 

Hector Gabriel Jimenez, assistant professor of music, released an original worship song. The title is He’s Got a Plan, available on iTunes and Apple Music.

 

 

 

 

 

Megan Turner (’15), client relations and internship specialist for the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business, and Travis Sais (’15) were married in Lytle Creek, California, on Jan. 12.

 

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates