In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CBU dedicates new building for College of Engineering

California Baptist University celebrated the opening of the Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building at a dedication ceremony on July 25.

The 100,000-thousand-square-foot building is the new home of the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering at CBU. The building is situated between the residential Cottages and Business and Music buildings. It houses classrooms, faculty offices and administrative spaces as well as a spacious, multipurpose design hall with room for labs, projects, exhibits, presentations and student collaboration.

“This is a wow building and a wow day in the history of CBU,” Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, told the more than 350 audience members in attendance. “God is going to use this building to touch lives practically and spiritually.”

Ellis thanked many individuals who helped make the project a reality. He recognized CBU’s Board of Trustees for its encouragement to pursue a vision for CBU and Dr. Anthony Donaldson, founding dean of the College of Engineering, for championing the efforts to grow the college. Ellis also acknowledged the generous contributions and support from Dennis and Carol Troesh, Gordon and Jill Bourns, and Bill and Sue Johnson that helped make the new building a reality.

Dr. Charles Sands, CBU provost and vice president for academic affairs, said he looks forward to students returning in the fall to pursue “living their purpose” in the new structure.

“This building will benefit students but for what purpose?” Sands asked. “We pray they will make a difference and to influence society in a positive way.”

Gordon Bourns, chairman and CEO at Bourns Inc., said he envisions the new building benefiting the community.

The College of Engineering at CBU has many programs that are tailored to introducing young students to STEM education, Bourns said.

Bourns also noted the importance CBU plays in providing professionals for the community.

“It’s an honor for me to be here to support CBU. We have had fantastic interns from CBU,” Bourns said. “These students have a Christian foundation, good integrity and are hard workers. They also have amazing ideas.

“I hope a lot of students choose CBU and then stay here in the community after they graduate,” Bourns said.

 

CBU embraces transfer path for community college graduates

California Baptist University has joined other member institutions of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) in supporting a transfer pathway agreement with the California Community College’s Chancellor office.

A memorandum of understanding was signed by the AICCU President Kristen Soares and California Community College’s Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley on July 25. The transfer agreement is geared for community college students who graduate with an Associate of Arts or an Associate in Science degree and desire to continue their educational training at CBU or another four-year independent, nonprofit institution in California.

Under the agreement, AICCU institutions commit to guaranteeing admission for community college students who meet the transfer pathway criteria. Qualifying students will be accepted with a junior standing with a minimum of 60 units transferred.

“CBU is excited to collaborate with our local community colleges by facilitating one more student pathway to a bachelor’s degree,” said Wayne Fletcher, associate provost for academic services at CBU. “For those specific associate degree transfer pathways, which CBU offers, we are committed to ensuring students complete their bachelor degree as quickly and efficiently as possible—experiencing CBU’s unique culture which focuses on academic, personal and spiritual growth.”

 

Summer camp helps young musicians improve their craft

Young, aspiring musicians reached for the sky in unison as Dr. Guy Holliday had them stretch and practice breathing exercises.

“It’s super important you learn how to breathe well so you can play well,” said Holliday, assistant professor of music and director of bands at California Baptist University.

More than 120 students signed up for the Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Music’s Summer Music Camp at CBU that runs through July 27.

The camp is under the umbrella of CBU’s Young Musicians Program, a collaboration with Inland Empire Musical Arts, a nonprofit that offers music classes to youths in the community. Participants choose from one of three options: choir camp, for fourth through 12th-graders, string orchestra or concert band, both open to sixth through 12th-graders.

“Music camps give the participants an opportunity to maintain and improve their singing or playing through the summer,” Holliday said.

The camps also provides students with an opportunity to be a part of an ensemble with participants from many different schools, and to learn more from college professors and other music professionals about their instrument or voice, Holliday added.

Campers’ activities included ensemble rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, theory classes, master classes, private lessons and an ensemble performance at the end of their camp experience.

The camps also provide an opportunity for community engagement, Holliday said. Additionally, they provide real-world experience for the CBU music students who are helping with the camp, Holliday added.

“Any time we can have students on our campus to experience the facilities, food and interact with staff and faculty, it is a win for CBU,” Holliday said. “Hopefully, they can sense the caring, Christian atmosphere here and make a positive connection for the future.”

 

Program lets CBU students practice health care globally

Riley Phillips wanted to finish her time at California Baptist University by serving others. Therefore, after graduating from CBU in the spring of 2018, Phillips took part in a Global Health Engagement (GHE) project to China over the summer. Her time spent overseas provided a valuable insight on how she could serve and love others from a different cultural background.

“The trip recalibrated my heart, taking me from the hectic place of my senior year and placing me in an environment that necessitated my trust in God,” Phillips explained of her GHE trip. “The service developed a soul-peace and habits that have followed me back home.”

The College of Health Science at CBU sent out four teams this summer to serve in various health care roles in China, East Africa and the Philippines.

The trips are part of GHE program, which provides students an opportunity to serve by offering health care services while gaining course credits. Global service is part of CBU’s commitment to live out the Great Commission.

Phillips, a communication science and disorder graduate, spent three weeks in China. Her group assisted with the care of special needs children in addition to offering trainings for workers, parents and volunteers who also provide care.

Phillips said that the trip also gave her another perspective on how health professionals administer care.

“[The trip] showed me how to carry myself in a professional manner internationally. It [also] provided me with the opportunity to work alongside an interpreter and gave me a chance to put my book knowledge to work as I assessed and played with kids of all ages,” Phillips said.

Like Phillips, Miguel Garcia-Salas, a communication sciences and disorders senior at CBU, found his service in China insightful.

“I learned that the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts. We relied on a spirit of collaboration to best help every child,” Garcia-Salas said.

Garcia-Salas said that by the end of the trip the team assisted more than 200 children.

Each member of the team had their limitations but they also each had strengths, Garcia-Salas explained.

“When we combined those strengths with a selfless attitude, we formed a fantastic team,” Garcia-Salas said.

 

Acclaimed local artist to pursue dual major at CBU

Audrey Alexander, a Riverside native, is only 18 years old but she is already making a name for herself through her hyperrealism portraits. In April of 2018, Alexander was chosen as one of “Riverside’s Top 25 Most Remarkable Teens” by the Riverside Youth Council, a program of the city of Riverside.

The award follows consecutive first-place finishes in The Press-Enterprise Riverside County High School Art Show competition.

Additionally, her 2018 portrait titled “Eli Vint” earned Alexander first place for the 2018 41^st District Congressional Art Competition. With the top finish, her work will be displayed for one year in the Cannon Tunnel, a pedestrian tunnel system under Capitol Hill that allows members of Congress to travel securely underground.

Alexander will be double majoring in art and biology at CBU come fall. She is a recent graduate of Woodcrest Christian High School.

She said coming to CBU will allow her to combine her interests.

For her, art is a pursuit of God’s perfection.

“I love the beauty of realistic art. I’ll never achieve perfection because the things God originally created were perfect,” Alexander explained in an online interview with her high school. “Every 2D painting is trying to get as close as you can to God’s 3D work. I’m inspired also by nature, people and the beauty around me.”

 

NCAA confirms Lancers to D-I competition

The NCAA Strategic Vision and Planning Committee voted to advance the Lancers to year one of the reclassification process on July 13.

CBU will begin its first of four transition seasons to full division one membership this year and will compete in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

Read the full story here.

 

 

 

Bernstein latest CBU pitcher to land on MLB minors team

Andrew Bernstein, former Lancer right-handed starting pitcher, was assigned to the Gulf Coast Rays, a minor league affiliate of the MLB Tampa Bay Rays on July 10. Bernstein’s signing continues California Baptist University’s success of transitioning players—especially pitchers—to the pros.

Bernstein, who played as a senior with CBU this past season, is the ninth Lancer and eighth former CBU pitcher in the minor leagues this year. Bernstein transferred to CBU from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona for the 2017 season. During two seasons at CBU, he went 8-2 with a save and a combined 3.33 earned-run average on the mound. He added 96 strikeouts to just 21 walks over 102.2 innings.

As a senior, Bernstein battled through injuries but was 3-0 with a 1.77 ERA. He held his opposition to a .233 batting average and added 45 strikeouts to 14 walks over 45.2 innings.

His new team plays out of Port Charlotte, Florida.

 

CBU veteran named new dean of the College of Nursing

Dr. Karen Bradley was promoted to the dean of College of Nursing at California Baptist University on July 1.

“The CBU College of Nursing is an incredible place to work with a dedicated faculty and staff,” Bradley said. “I find that the entire team is committed to the mission of preparing graduates to become excellent nurses that serve others as image bearers of God. I pray that the Lord continues to use me as an instrument for His glory within the College of Nursing.”

Bradley joined CBU in 2013. Her previous administrative positions at CBU included serving as the director of clinical affiliations, director of undergraduate nursing programs and most recently the department chair of the graduate nursing programs. Her areas of expertise include nursing leadership, health policy and bioethics, advanced practice nursing and legal issues in health care courses.

Bradley received her Master of Science in Nursing from Loma Linda University and her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of San Francisco. Prior to CBU, she was the executive director of advanced practice services for Loma Linda University Medical Center.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Bradley assume this strategically important leadership role. Karen brings to us a wealth of practical knowledge about nursing and healthcare in general, and she also has significant leadership background and experience that she brings to the deanship,” said Dr. Charles Sands, provost and vice president of academic affairs at CBU.

Bradley also has extensive advocacy background centered on increasing access to health care and improving heal care outcomes. Additionally, she is an advocate for nurses and works to remove barriers to administer appropriate care. Since 2011, she has been a part of the California Association for Nurse Practitioners, serving in several appointed positions within the statewide organization. Moreover, Bradley has served as a team leader for International Service Projects at CBU and utilized the role of health care provider and nurse educator to minister to groups within Malaysia, England and South Africa.

Bradley said she feels blessed to work at CBU, alongside the students, to serve the local, national and global communities.

“The CBU College of Nursing enjoys a bright future enabling the expansion of educational offerings at both undergraduate and graduate levels, while maintaining a solid faith-based foundation and rigorous curriculum,” Bradley said. “The CBU College of Nursing is committed to the development of higher educational programs which are nicely designed to serve graduates in the local, national, and global communities.”

 

Decorated Air Force veteran takes over flight school at CBU

Col. John E. Marselus assumed the chair of the department of aviation science at California Baptist University on July 2.

“My family and I are blessed to have the opportunity to serve at CBU. Many areas drew us to CBU. The commitment to excellence and proven backing from leadership from the very top are strong aspects,” said Marselus. “The university made a large investment into the aviation department in hiring superb staff and faculty in addition to purchasing a new fleet of aircraft and providing facilities at the airport for academics, flying and maintenance. This has provided a strong foundation for growth and expansion.”

Marselus served in the U.S. Air Force for 25 years retiring in 2010. He received numerous awards and recognitions including the Anthony C. Shine Award for Top Professional Fighter Pilot and the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism.

Marselus has over 3,500 flight hours primarily in the A-10 Thunderbolt and F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets instructing and flying combat missions in both aircraft. Marselus last assignment in the Air Force was as the commander of the 607^th Air and Space Operations Center located in Osan Air Base, South Korea.

“We are thrilled and grateful to have Dr. Marselus assume leadership of the department of aviation science,” said Dr. Gayne Anacker, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at CBU. “He brings a wealth of experience to CBU, from a distinguished career as a fighter pilot and unit commander in the U.S. Air Force to high-level leadership in academic aviation programs.  His ministry in church leadership also reveals a heart for God. This is a great fit for CBU.”

Marselus comes to CBU after a several year stint at San Diego Christian College, where he served as the director of aviation while pastoring on staff with Shadow Mountain Community Church.

Marselus has a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Master of Strategic Studies from Air War College. Additionally, Marselus obtained a Master of Divinity and Doctoral of Divinity (highest honors) from Liberty University. Marselus is married to Kim, and the couple have seven children.

“It is a great honor to pass on the many experiences, knowledge and faith to the next generation to prepare them to carry on for God’s glory. This is the Lord’s aviation department, I am simply the steward,” Marselus said. “There is no better time in history to begin a career in aviation. The demand for pilots, mechanics, and air traffic controllers has never been higher. Airlines, missionary aviation, military and unmanned aerial systems are all experiencing a critical shortage expected to continue for the next two decades.”

CBU’s flight school offers bachelor degrees in aviation dispatch, aviation flight and aviation management.

 

Family Updates

Amanda Warner, web content specialist for Marketing and Communication, had a book published. Reformed (Gatekeeper Press, June 26, 2018) is the true-life story of a gang member who was given a life sentence at age 18 and found redemption while in prison.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Darla Donaldson, associate professor of finance and social entrepreneurship, and Dr. Joel Bigley, assistant professor of management, had a paper published in The Journal of Human Resource and Adult Learning (June 2018). The paper was titled Understanding How Donors View Entrepreneurial Competence.

 

 

 

Mark Roberson, dean of the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design, was honored during the Architecture Awards Program at CBU on May 2. He was recognized for his leadership and service in seeing the first students in the Master of Architecture program through to commencement in May.

 

 

 

 

 

Amber Andrade, assistant registrar for transcript & records for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) 2018 Technology & Transfer Conference in Minneapolis on July 8. The title of the presentation was TES-ting the Waters of Transfer Technology.

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for Information Technology Services, had an article published in Church Production Magazine (July 2018). It was titled called The Biblical Case for Women in AVL.

 

 

 

 

Brianna Zepeda, housing maintenance manager in Facilities and Planning Services, was named employee of the month for July. Her nomination included the following statements: “Brianna is committed to her customers and her staff. She has a heart for the students and strives to do her best when serving them and her other customers. Brianna stepped into the Housing side of F&PS at a time when many changes were taking place. … She has been tasked with several large capital improvement projects in her housing areas and works through them diligently.”

 

 

 

Dr. William Boyer, assistant professor of kinesiology, and Dr. Amy Miller, associate professor of kinesiology, presented at the National American College of Sports Medicine conference in Minneapolis May 29-June 2. The study was titled Demographic, Health Behavior, and Cardiometabolic Risk Factor Profiles in Yoga and non-Yoga Participants: NHANES 1999-2006. The abstract was published in Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise (May 2018).

 

 

Dr. Rich Simpson, registrar for Online and Professional Studies, successfully defended his dissertation at Pepperdine University on July 5. The title was Elements of Transformational Learning in Small Groups of an Evangelical Church.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Dennis K. Bideshi, professor of biology, and Dr. Hyun-Woo Park, professor of biology, presented at Loma Linda University, Department of Earth and Biological Sciences on May 30. The presentation was titled Biology and Pathobiology of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis and Lysinibacillus sphaericus.

 

 

 

 

Two doctoral students successfully defended their dissertations in the Doctorate in Public Administration program in the Division of Online and Professional Studies on July 9. They are the first students in the program to receive their doctorates. Dr. Tanya Harris’ dissertation was titled The Path to Understanding Public Sector Silent Heroes—Millennial Accountants. Brian Guzzetta’s dissertation was titled The Social Impact of Public Safety Exploring.

 

 

Dr. Fred Pontius, professor of civil engineering and construction management, presented at the 2018 International Industrial/Academic Leadership Experience Program held by the College of Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli District, in Taoyuan City, Taiwan on July 4. His presentations were titled Engineering Sustainable Communities, Climate Changes within a Local Reference Frame and Sustainability Programs for the Built Environment.

 

 

 

Dr. Sean Sullivan, professor of kinesiology, made a presentation at the International Society for Electrophysiology and Kinesiology in Dublin on June 30-July 2. It was titled Does it Count if You Can’t Count it? Using Multiple Research Methods to Prepare Kinesiology Practitioners.

 

 

 

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, associate professor of civil engineering and construction management, presented a paper at the 11th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Los Angeles on June 25-29. The title was Seismic Fragility Estimates for High-Rise Building with an Adaptive Damping System. It was co-authored with Dr. Yeesock Kim, associate professor of civil engineering and construction management and three graduate students at CBU: Ricky Carrillo, Bartlomiej Pankowski and Lauren Rither.

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

 

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CAVAD camp allows high schoolers to develop their creative side

Bethany Roberson, a high school student in Riverside, dreams of becoming an artist. She is on the right track. Roberson spent a week at a pre-college camp at California Baptist University, learning artist concepts and techniques.

During one of the camp activities, Roberson cut old T-shirts into pieces and then used other recycled fabric to construct an animal sculpture of an African wild dog.

“I’ve enjoyed decorating the African wild dog. It’s been fun picking out the right fabrics to make it look furry, fluffy and real,” Roberson said.

The College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design (CAVAD) at CBU hosted more than 30 high school students, who received hands-on training at CAVAD Pre-College Summer Camp during June 25-29.

The high schoolers were able to enroll in five tracks such as film, photography, graphic design and art. Throughout the camp, students worked with CBU faculty to learn professional techniques in addition to working on a creative project.

“The sessions are led by faculty who are not only respected academics but who are also professionals working in these industries and can help these students understand both the academic path and expectations and the professional possibilities of these fields,” said Mark Roberson, dean of CAVAD.

Aspiring filmmakers learned about filming and editing as they worked on creating a short film. One afternoon a team of students worked on capturing a scene. Placing a camera on a dolly, the team rolled down a hall in James Building shooting multiple shots.

Briana Watson, a senior from Lake Elsinore, California, said she became more aware of how many takes are needed to produce a quality shot.

“I saw all these types of techniques in filming and editing, and it was a really cool experience,” Watson said.

“I’m hoping to give them a better idea of what the different positions are in film and the things that they can do and just explore their passions for this,” said Jonathan Nyquist, adjunct professor of graphic design.

The camp also allows high school students to tour the CBU campus and the CAVAD facilities, Mark Roberson said.

“We really enjoy being able to help high school students figure out who they were created to be,” Roberson said. “When we get see the light come on in their eyes and see them really start to embrace what they’re doing, it’s a cool thing to be a part of.”

 

CBU alumna wins Miss California pageant

Mackenzie Freed, a 2018 California Baptist University graduate, won the Miss California 2018 competition on June 30. Freed placed first among 55 constants in the three-day event held at the Saroyan Theatre in Fresno, California.

Freed won a total of $22,000 in scholarships. She told reporters, after the competition, that the prize money would go to pay off some college loans and help launch her journey into law school.

Freed graduated summa cum laude from CBU with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and communication. During her time at CBU, she volunteered at the First Baptist Church in Riverside serving the homeless community and with Habitat for Humanity providing home maintenance and housework for the elderly.

 

 

CAVAD to offer five new majors starting in the fall

The College of Architecture Visual Arts and Design (CAVAD) at California Baptist University is adding three new design majors along with two artistic programs for the fall 2018 semester. CAVAD will offer Bachelor of Arts degrees in product design, production design, interior design, illustration and art therapy.

As one of the largest Christian design colleges in the nation, CAVAD embraces a diverse spectrum of design-oriented disciplines, said Mark Roberson, dean of CAVAD.

In total, CAVAD has 18 program offerings.

“Building on CAVAD’s foundation, the college is continually expanding our program offerings to ensure our students continue to receive the most innovative and comprehensive educational opportunities,” Roberson said. “CAVAD students will be taught through an interdisciplinary approach that offers unique and unlimited opportunities for collaboration, inspiration, and most importantly, a deep and well-rounded education.”

The new programs are taught by professional Christian instructors who, in many cases, are still working at the highest creative levels in their respective fields, Roberson said.

“Graduates of CAVAD will be able to demonstrate professional excellence with training that inspires a generation of servant leaders, who can live out a biblically based, ethical approach to their profession,” Roberson said.

Product Design
Product design will prepare students interested in the design of physical objects—including commercial products, packaging, medical devices, transportation, electronic devices and more.  As a highly collaborative major, students will consider and integrate with engineering, psychology, social science, allied health, business and marketing concepts while considering the relationship between the built industry and humanity.
Learn more about the product design program here.

Production Design
Production design combines architecture, art, technical theatre arts and lighting design practices. The training received will equip students to create and implement designs for production environments including film, TV and theater. Additionally, there is a special concentration in worship design.
Learn more about the production design program here.

Interior Design
The interior design major develops students in the art of applying artistic principles and techniques to the professional planning, designing, equipping and furnishing of interior spaces. Students will be prepared to pursue a professional practice as an interior designer.
Learn more about the interior design program here.

Illustration
The illustration design major will develop the art of visual and conceptual storytelling that can be applied to creative jobs such as an animator, book illustrator, game designer, graphic novelist, medical illustrator, forensic artist, storyboard artist or art director.
Learn more about the illustration program here.

Art Therapy
The CBU Art Therapy Program is a joint program between CAVAD and the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences that equips students for graduate work in art therapy or counseling.
Learn more about the art therapy program here.

 

CBU alumni earn top honors at national design competition

Two alumni from California Baptist University earned national acclaim for their work submitted as students at the American Advertising Federation (AAF) national awards held in Chicago on June 8.

Caleb Bol (’17) won a gold for his entry titled “Demo Reel” in the Animation or Special Effects category. Jonathan Logerstedt (’17) received a silver for his entry titled “Creepy Comics Passion” in the Magazine Design category.

Both Bol and Logerstedt, CBU students at the time, submitted their entries for the AAF-Inland Empire awards in March. They both won gold. Then Bol won gold and Logerstedt won silver in AAF District 15 awards, which advanced their work to the nationals.

Bol and Logerstedt awards represent the second time CBU students received awards at the national level. In 2016, Jacob Gonzalez (’17) earned gold in a photography category and Brittany Hatch (’17) received silver in a poster category.

Bol said that faculty and staff in the graphic design program at CBU helped him grow in his passion.

“CBU’s design program was spectacular in the way that it prepared us for the industry with every project by encouraging us, giving tough critiques, and helping us find our strengths in the broad spectrum of design,” said Bol, who works at a design and animation studio in Santa Monica, California. “The reason the program does such a great job though is because of the amazing people who cared about our success in the program and after the program.”

 

School of Business adds bachelor’s, graduate degrees

The Robert K. Jabs School of Business at California Baptist University will offer a Master of Science in Information Technology Management and a Bachelor of Science in International Business starting in the fall.

In total, the School of Business offers 12 program options.

The information technology management program will train students in advanced IT strategies, business management techniques, key management and leadership skills. Additionally, the program will prepare students to work in the information technology management fields of ethics, project management, cyber security, emerging technology and disaster preparedness.

Dr. Tad A. Hove, assistant dean for graduate programs, said information is the backbone for any efficient and effective organization.

“The natural migration for the School of Business was to bring the worlds of information technology and management together in the growing field of information technology management,” Hove said.

The international business major will equip students to have a global mindset within international business realms. The program will instruct students how to respect and interact with global cultures and ideas.

“International business is where the world is going and will continue to go,” said Dr. Marc Weniger, associate professor of business at CBU. “Students who graduate with an international business degree will have a significant advantage.”

 

Family Updates

Dr. Sanggon Nam, associate professor of public health, joined the editorial board of Archive of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine in June. The peer-reviewed journal provides the publication of advancements and for dissemination of scientific knowledge on obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive medicine.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Robert LaChausse, associate professor of public health sciences, had an opinion-editorial published in the Highland Community News (Highland, California) June 13. It was titled Commercializing marijuana will create the next “big tobacco.”

 

 

 

 

Dr. Virgo Handojo, professor of psychology, participated at the National Symposium on Positive Marital Therapy in Bandung, Indonesia, May 24-26. He spoke as a plenary speaker, with his presentation titled Advancing the Psychological Well-being for Promoting Healthy Ageing. He also presented a workshop titled Positive Family Therapy: Technique and Application to Create a Happy Family.

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for Information Technology Services, presented to the European University Information Systems organization via a webinar on June 25. His presentation was titled Creating a Campus through Classroom Standardization.

 

 

 

Dr. Berniece Bruinius Alspach, assistant professor of English, and Dr. Laura Veltman, professor of American literature, attended the University of Victoria’s Digital Humanities Summer Institute in Victoria, British Columbia, from June 4-8. Alspach took a course on Digital Pedagogy; Veltman studied Digitalization Fundamentals and Their Applications. The courses will help support the Department of Modern Language and Literature’s new minor in Writing & Digital Studies.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Joshua Knabb, associate professor of psychology, and Dr. Veola Vazquez, professor of psychology, had an empirical study published in Spirituality in Clinical Practice (June 2018). The title was “Unknowing” in the 21st Century: Humble Detachment for Christians With Repetitive Negative Thinking.

 

 

 

Dr. Robert Pate, associate professor of psychology, wrote the feature article for CounselEd, the journal for the American Association of Christian Counselors (June). It was titled Common Factors: Scientific Support for a Biblical Model of Marriage. Pate also preached at The Mission church in Redlands on June 3. He spoke on the topic of meeting mental health needs in the church.

 

 

 

Dr. Robert Crosby III, associate professor of psychology for Online and Professional Studies, and Dr. Erin Smith, assistant professor of psychology, had a case study published in SAGE Research Methods. The title was Creating a New Survey for a Specific Population: The Kids’ Church Survey.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Putulowski, associate professor of business and marketing for Online and Professional Studies, conducted a seminar at the Tennessee Small Business Development Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on June 14. It was titled Building a Marketing & Promotional Plan – The design and Development of Key Marketing Strategies.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Geneva Oaks, professor of nursing, passed the national certification from American Academy of Colleges of Nursing to become board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner on June 1.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Susan Drummond, professor of nursing, passed the national certification from National League of Nursing to become certified as a nurse educator on June 22.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Rod Foist, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Dr. Xuping Xu, professor of electrical and computer engineering, successfully completed (December 2017) a two-year National Science Foundation project as external collaborators for Dr. Pong Chu, associate professor at Cleveland State University. Chu’s research is aimed at improving the curriculum for electrical and computer engineering across all four years by making strategic use of laboratory projects. Foist and Xu tested new lab projects within some of their existing courses and reported student survey feedback to Chu.

 

 

Dr. Terri Thompson, assistant professor of nursing, and Dr. Susan Jetton, associate professor of nursing, attended a preconception advisory meeting in Greenbelt Maryland on June 14. Thompson was elected as an advisor and Jetton was re-elected as an advisor for the Office of Minority Health. Both will serve two-year terms.

 

 

 

Dr. Monica O’Rourke, associate professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, provided free health training to church administrators and children ministry volunteers of Crosspoint Church in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 23. The training included first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator certification.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Melissa Croteau, professor of film studies and literature, was chosen to be a National Endowment for the Humanities fellow in its 2018 Summer Institute May 28-June 22. The program—Buddhist East Asia: The Interplay of Religion, the Arts, and Politics—was run by the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. Croteau studied Chinese, Korean and Japanese Buddhism, which she will use in her work on transcendence in Japanese and Chinese cinema.

 

 

Dr. Rod Foist, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and his wife, Jean, celebrated the marriage of their youngest son on May 26. Joshua Foist married Klotilda Stojani in Albania, her native country. Rod Foist also wrote a song that he and his wife sang at the ceremony.

 

 

 

Dr. Michael Chute, professor of journalism, and his wife, Dr. Kathie Chute, adjunct professor of journalism, welcomed their fourth grandchild on June 15. Owen Maverick Chute weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 21¼ inches long. His parents are Chrissy and Ryan Chute, and sister is Hannah, 1.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CBU awarded best NCAA D-II collegiate sports title

In its last year competing in NCAA Division II, California Baptist University finished atop the Learfield Cup national standing, a first for the university.

Fifteen of the Lancers’ 18 NCAA-sponsored sports qualified for the postseason in 2017-18, with eight advancing to the D-II championships.

“Our entire athletic department is humbled and blessed to be recognized the Learfield Cup champion,” said Dr. Micah Parker, CBU director of Athletics. “We could not have done this without the support of our administration.”

Read full story here.

 

CBU to offer degrees in biomedical sciences, forensic chemistry

The College of Arts and Sciences at California Baptist University will add two new science degrees starting in the fall of 2018. CBU will offer Bachelor of Science degrees in biomedical sciences and forensic chemistry.

In total, the Division of Natural and Mathematical Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences offers 20 degree options.

Dr. Bruce Prins, department chair of biology at CBU, said the biomedical sciences program will prepare students for careers in biomedical areas while providing students with the pre-requisites needed to get into graduate programs such as medical, dental, veterinary or physician assistant.

The CBU program will emphasize human biology, pathobiology and pharmacology. Additionally, the program is tailored to include students with opportunities to engage in community service and leadership. Also, students will be able to engage in hands-on learning and collaborative research with faculty.

“The department of biological sciences at CBU has a history of placing students into professional programs,” Prins said. “This program, with the help of faculty who work closely with students, should be a great next step in seeing students’ dreams fulfilled.”

The forensic chemistry major will prepare students to be competitive for employment in forensic science-related positions.

The major will be interdisciplinary and include such courses as biological sciences, mathematical sciences, and history and government, said Dr. Tom Ferko, department chair of chemistry and biochemistry and molecular biology at CBU.

“This major will help students get their foot in the door to a work in positions such as in a crime lab,” Ferko said. “Students also will have a strong background in criminal justice for those who want to pursue a law enforcement career or in the sciences if they want to pursue a career as an analytical chemist or other lab scientist.

“The variety of careers that this major can lead into is a definite strength to the program,” Ferko said.

 

CBU students capture inmates’ stories in Angola

Alexandra Applegate, a public relations senior at California Baptist University, had a keen insight during her service trip to the Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola): there is no limit to God’s redeeming work.

“Seeing how intimates completely turned their lives around from inside prison gave me a whole new meaning to the word ‘freedom.’ These men are spiritually free despite being behind bars,” Applegate said.

In May, a group of students from CBU traveled to Angola to captured stories for Awana Lifeline, a non-profit prison ministry. CBU’s collaboration with Awana Lifeline at Angola is the fourth consecutive year students have spent time volunteering at the largest maximum-security prison in the nation.

Students from the College of Arts and Sciences at CBU worked in teams to capture testimonies of inmates. Additionally, the students documented Awana’s Returning Hearts Celebration on May 19. The event helps unite children with their incarcerated father or mother for a day of games, food, relationship building and Bible teaching.

“This is such a unique opportunity for our program as we serve as the media team for Awana Lifeline’s efforts,” said Dr. Michael Chute, director of the Journalism & New Media and Public Relations Program, who led the team of students. “Our students, faculty and staff did a remarkable job telling the stories of inmates who are serving God inside a maximum-security prison.”

For Applegate, the opportunity to use her skillset in a voluntary setting was a rewarding experience.

“It was incredible to use what I have learned in my journalism classes and working on ‘The Banner’ to serve God,” Applegate said.

Returning Hearts Celebration
Click here to view a video created by a student media team from California Baptist University.

 

Courtyard Shakespeare Festival returns to the stage

The third annual Courtyard Shakespeare Festival at California Baptist University opens with a performance of “The Tempest” on June 8 followed by “Macbeth” on June 9.

The theatre department at CBU constructed an outdoor theater in Stamps Courtyard to host the repertory performances through June 23.

“There is a joy that comes from sitting outside on a warm summer evening and watching Shakespeare live,” said Lee Lyons, professor of theatre and the festival’s artistic director. “We have learned that there is an audience for this. There is a charm to that courtyard.”

The festival’s rendering of “The Tempest,” takes place in the mid-1800s and focuses on a magician’s endeavors at dabbling with supernatural power. “Macbeth,” will take place in a post-apocalyptic setting. The play unpacks a murder scene and the ensuing paranoia and madness that follow the evil act.

The cast consists of CBU students, CBU alumni and community members.

Two cast members are theatre professionals, Lyons noted.

“Having those actors is a way to elevate the company,” Lyons said. “Now you have actors who have great experience and have worked professionally. Then our [amateur] actors get to integrate with them.”

Patrick Brien, executive director of the Riverside Arts Council, will be directing “Macbeth.” He has performed in previous plays featured at the CBU Courtyard Shakespeare Festival.

“The space is perfect, neatly nestled into the courtyard,” Brien said. “There’s something about performing under the night sky. It’s a shared experience between actors and audience. You can feel it on both sides of the stage.”

The Courtyard Shakespeare Festival at CBU also will include a high school Shakespeare day camp. The camp includes workshops, forums and a presentation to be featured for a Courtyard Shakespeare Festival audience.

Courtyard Shakespeare Festival

“The Tempest”
When: 8:30 p.m. June 16, 20 and 22
“Macbeth”
When: 8:30 p.m. June 15, 17, 21 and 23
Where: Smith Courtyard, 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

 

CBU sending final waves of global service project volunteers

California Baptist University continues to send out teams of volunteers to serve on International Service Projects (ISP). Teams in the third and fourth waves (final groups) will depart from CBU throughout the month of June. Volunteers will head to South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Central Asia, Spain, Germany, Greece, France, Portugal, Eastern Europe, Africa and South America.

This summer, more than 300 volunteers, comprising 38 ISP teams, will serve in 24 different countries. The teams serve in areas such as conducting sports camps, teaching English to university students, providing healthcare and engineering skilled service, and assisting with various children ministries.

Dr. Geneva Oaks, dean of the College of Nursing, is leading a team to South Africa. Her team will be assisting in healthcare roles.

The heart of nursing is being with people who are suffering, she said.

“We get to go and be with people and make a connection,” Oaks said. “These students have the opportunity to share the love of Christ with their hands, hearts and minds.”

This is the second ISP for Sabrina Eggleston, a nursing senior.

“This time I’m looking forward to seeing what healthcare looks like in other countries and helping people,” Eggleston said.

Before departing, teams gather with their families and friends to pray at the Kugel, a granite globe that rotates on a base inscribed with the scripture from Matthew 28:19-20, symbolizing CBU’s commitment to the Great Commission.

 

Family Updates

Dr. Tim Luther, professor of political science, presented a paper at the Oceanic Popular Culture Association Conference in Honolulu on May 25. The paper was titled Hegelian “Geist” in Eastwood Films: “Pale Rider” and “High Plains Drifter.”

 

 

 

 

Dr. Bob Namvar, professor of economics, presented at the World Business Research conference in Tokyo in April. The title of his presentation was A Better Distribution of Income Improves the US Economy. The economic paper was also published in the Journal of Accounting, Finance and Economics, both online and in the March 2018 edition.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Erin Smith, associate professor of psychology, and Dr. Kristin Mauldin, assistant professor of psychology, and Nickelis Vincent, graduate student, presented a poster at the annual Convention for the Association of Psychological Science in San Francisco May 24-27. The paper was titled Repeated Exposure to Healthy and Unhealthy Images Increases Taste Expectation and Alters Food Evaluation.

 

 

 

Keri Murcray (’01), library assistant, Carolyn Heine, associate librarian, David Marley (’01), director of infrastructure services for Information Technology Services, and several CBU alumni—Kelly Marley (’02), Maribeth Myers (’94) and Melissa Arrieta—participated in the 4^th annual Redlands Hunger Walk on June 2.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Shawn Wilhite, assistant professor of Christian studies for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the annual meeting of the North American Patristics Society in Chicago May 24-26. The title of the presentation was “Was It Not the Only Begotten that was Speaking Long Ago”: Cyril of Alexandria’s Christological Exegesis in His Commentary on Hebrews (Heb 1:1–2). Wilhite also had three reviews published: Scripture as Real Presence: Sacramental Exegesis in the Early Church by Hans Boersma in Evangelical Quarterly (July 2018); New Essays on the Apostolic Fathers by Clare K. Rothschild in Journal of Theological Studies (2018); Ancient Education and Early Christianity edited by Matthew Ryan Hauge and Andrew W. Pitts in Bulletin of Biblical Research 27 (2017).

 

Dr. Bonjun Koo, professor of environmental science, and Jonah Lay (’18) took part on an environmental science panel for Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful on June 5. Faculty and students from colleges in Riverside discussed each school’s core curriculum, research and environmental awareness as applied to the real world and neighboring communities.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Terri Thompson, assistant professor of nursing, and Dr. Susan Jetton, associate professor of nursing, presented at the National Innovative Communities Conference in Ontario, California, June 5-6. The title of their presentation was Preconception Health to Improve the Health of Future Generations, Opportunities for Résumé Building, and Community Involvement.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for Information Technology Services, presented at InfoComm 2018 (professional audiovisual trade conference) in Las Vegas on June 6. His presentation was titled Creating a Campus through Classroom Standardization. He also took part on a rAVe Publications podcast, sharing about tech at CBU and trends in higher education.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Robert LaChausse, associate professor of public health sciences, Jessica Folmer, research associate for College of Health Science, Rebecca Ruiz, graduate student, and Cassidy Rogers, undergraduate student, presented at the National Innovative Communities Conference in Ontario, California, on June 5. Their presentation was titled The influence of social norms on teen drug use; creating a positive community.

 

 

 

 

Marc Machado, head coach for women’s golf, and Reba Machado, adjunct professor of psychology and clinical supervisor at the Counseling Center, welcomed a daughter on May 22. Magnolia Joyce Machado weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 20 inches in length. She joins sister Melody, 2.

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

 

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

Chemical engineering students gain on-the-job training in labs

Dr. Mario Oyanader, professor of chemical engineering at California Baptist University, views the labs he supervises as opportunities for students to gain real-world experience.

“If we didn’t have the equipment, our students would not be better prepared to execute certain skills or abilities on the job,” Oyanader said. “They have a better picture by having this initial training with us.”

In 2015, CBU received a $250,000 grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation for the chemical engineering department within the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering to purchase equipment in the field of sustainability and health technologies. The equipment helps students learn sustainable technology processes such as CO2 removal, reverse osmosis, fuel cells technology and water purification.

“The equipment re-emphasizes things that we teach in the classroom,” said Dr. Mark Anklam, professor of chemical engineering. “It allows the students to have the hands-on aspect for the course, so it’s not just theoretical.”

Genaro Gonzalez, a chemical engineering senior, said he appreciates training on the absorption unit, which dissolves carbon dioxide into water.

“Learning the process on paper is half the knowledge,” said Gonzalez, who plans to pursue a career related to water quality conservation after graduation. “Once we have to physically turn valves, adjust flow rates, calibrate devices, take data and interpret it. That is where absorption really became clear in my mind.”

Sarah Hrovat, a chemical engineering senior, intends to pursue a career in pharmaceutical productions.

“The [lab] equipment helps us understand the theory and concepts applied to analyzing chemical techniques,” Hrovat said. “In class we had diagrams, but being able to go into lab helped even more.”

Anklam said he hopes the skills acquired in the labs will prepare students to help others.

“The equipment is allowing us to tie the fundamentals to things that the students are passionate about—the environment, energy, human health,” Anklam said. “That’s why they’re in engineering, because they want to go, make a difference and help people.”

 

CBU Athletics announces partnership with Adidas

Athletics at California Baptist University has entered into a multi-year deal with Adidas that will serve as the official athletic footwear, apparel and accessory brand for the Lancers.

“The Lancer family is excited to partner with Adidas,” said Dr. Micah Parker, director of Athletics at CBU. “It’s important that our student-athletes are provided with the very best in apparel and shoes. They have committed to help us in our transition to (NCAA) Division I, and we were thrilled they wanted to be a part of what we are growing in the Inland Empire.”

Read the full story here.

 

CBU delegation visits Sias International University in China

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU President, attended an Honor Guard welcoming ceremony at Sias International University May 25 in Zhengzhou, China. The ceremony  included the raising of the flag of California Baptist University, accompanied by the Sias Marching Band. Ellis and Dr. Shawn Chen, chairman of the Board of Sias, reviewed the guard and spoke during the event. Ellis also was a featured speaker during Sias’ 2018 homecoming celebration.

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Ellis recalled his first visit to the private Chinese university in 2009 and said he saw the future of international education at Sias. Upon returning, he said he observed even more progress toward the vision of what international education can be. He voiced support for the partnership between California Baptist University and Sias and said he looks forward to a long-lasting relationship between the two universities.

Chen, who founded Sias in 1998, presided over the ceremony and
welcomed the visiting delegation from CBU. He said cooperation between the two universities is very important to Sias and that he was looking forward to more results from this relationship in the future.

The CBU delegation also included Dr. Mark Wyatt, vice president for marketing and communication; Dr. Larry Linamen, vice president for global initiatives; Dr. Shasha Zheng, professor of nutrition; and Belinda Bai and Sarah Bai, members of the CBU International Admissions Office.

Ellis and Wyatt also participated in the 1^st Inaugural International Education Summit, Zhengdong New District held May 24-25 in Zhengzhou.

 

CBU chemistry professor’s tenure spans decades

Dr. L. Alan Fossett, a California Baptist University faculty member, fondly remembers his first day on the job more than 30 years ago. Driving in his Ford Escort hatchback, he pulled onto Palm Drive and proceeded to park behind the James Building.

“All of the departments were housed in the James Building then,” recalled Fossett. “There was also a cafeteria in the basement of James, what is now James West.”

Fossett accepted a position as a professor of chemistry at then California Baptist College, a title he holds to this day. Fossett is one of the longest tenured professors at CBU. Fossett said he is living his purpose each day on campus.

“I was a junior in high school when I started to believe that teaching chemistry is what I wanted to do with my life,” Fossett said. “CBU is a great place to work, that’s why I am still here. There are good folks here, good people who are dedicated to each other and Christ.”

Fossett got his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Northwest Nazarene College in 1982 and his doctoral in chemistry from the University of California, Davis in 1987. In 1986, he married his wife, Debbie; the couple grew up in the same church. They have two children, Shaun and Amy (’15). In 1988, he ended up at CBU; a path that he said had God’s purpose written all over it.

Fossett said that the first class he taught consisted of nine students. In contrast, during the spring 2018 semester he taught several lectures and labs with more than 100 students. Of the six offices that Fossett has occupied throughout the years, two of them do not exist anymore as they were converted into lab spaces. Back in 1988, Fossett had to share one lab with the entire science discipline. Today, there are four labs dedicated specifically for chemistry.

“I enjoy teaching students how chemistry is organized. As a teacher, I’m helping students to see how there is design in all of it,” Fossett said. “When you study elements there is an explanation for the way they behave.”

With a smile, Fossett said that L-Alanine is his favorite amino acid, as it closely resembles his name.

“Students are all different, all unique, each class can take you in different directions,” Fossett said in response to explaining his teaching style.

From Fossett’s perspective, the formula for growth at CBU is not a complex solution. It is a combination of offering programs that students need and key leadership from President Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, who has brought in the right people to oversee and teach the programs, Fossett said.

“Technology has changed, new buildings and labs have emerged, but ultimately, I want to be a good steward and exercise appropriate care to the students I’ve been entrusted with at CBU,” Fossett said.

 

CBU communication recovery camp provides community

California Baptist University hosted its first speech-and-language-therapy camp on May 14. The camp was the first of six sessions that will take place in consecutive weeks until June 4. The camp is free and open to individuals seeking speech language recovery.

During a session on May 23, blank canvases with clean brushes and an array of paint options awaited camp participants at a group activity. As the participants followed step-by-step instructions on how to paint a sunflower, graduate students from California Baptist University offered guidance and encouragement along the way. The room was full of chatter as CBU students asked questions, encouraging the participants respond. For this group, the more talking the better.

“The camp helps people with serious communication disorders to come and experience community. That meets a really fundamental human need for connection,” said Dr. Candace Vickers, associate professor and program director of communication disorders.

The Clinical Education Center at CBU organized the camp, with graduate students from the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology providing individual and group therapy. The participants, mostly from the Inland Empire, are part of the Communication Recovery Group Riverside, which the center organizes.

Not being able to communicate can be isolating, Vickers said.

“In the group therapy setting of the camp, we’re providing an atmosphere where communication is the goal,” Vickers said. “That’s where the magic happens. People smiling at each other, who understand what it’s like when one can’t say a word.”

The participants also take part in various activities. These exercises provide another way to communicate and process mentally, said Dr. Danette Bonillo, director of the Clinical Education Center.

“You want to them to feel successful and to have positive communication experiences to the best of their ability,” Bonillo said.

Ultimately, the camp provides an opportunity to serve the underserved in the community, Bonillo said.

“It’s a culmination of service and volunteer opportunities,” Bonillo said. “We want to serve God through our talents.”

 

CBU to offer a Doctor of Psychology program

California Baptist University will usher in a new era of research with its Doctor of of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program that will start in the fall 2018 semester.

The PsyD program at CBU is geared toward preparing students for a career as a licensed psychologist. Students will focus on using the science of clinical psychology to guide their professional work in addition to viewing the human condition through the lens of a Christian worldview.

Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at CBU, said the PsyD program was built on the solid foundation and legacy of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

“For more than 35 years, our college has equipped students to serve in the variety of complex behavioral issues that our communities face,” Gustafson said. “Through coursework, practicum training, a full-time internship, a clinical competency exam and an original dissertation project, doctoral students will develop the skills, attitudes, knowledge and behavior to serve a diverse public. We want our students to go out and impact the world with Christ-inspired care.”

All the programs in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences are positioned to offer high commitment to academics with an emphasis on culture and justice issues, Gustafson said. This means our college emphases helping the underserved and the most vulnerable people in society, she added.

“This focus attracts bright and gifted instructors who want to be a part of our mission,” Gustafson said.  “The doctoral program will issue in a new era of research at the university and will help CBU to be an influential voice at the regional and national level for behavioral and social science discussions.”

The PsyD program will be the university’s fourth doctoral program. The College of Nursing at CBU offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice program and the division of Online and Professional Studies has doctoral programs in business administration and public administration.

 

CBU receives grant to archive history of Casa Blanca residents

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at California Baptist University was recently awarded a $13,000 grant by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). The funds will be used to document the oral history of elderly residents living in the Riverside neighborhood known as Casa Blanca.

CBU will work in connection with the CIC and the AARP Foundation on “The Legacy Project.” CBU is one of 22 institutions across the nation awarded the funds. CIC launched an initiative with support from the AARP Foundation in 2017 to encourage colleges to create or extend programs that seek to assist low-income older adults (ages 50 and older).

The Legacy Project will gather the senior residents’ oral histories, focusing on their cultural history, resiliency, faith and spirituality, said Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

“We  hope  this  project  provides  a  venue  for  seniors, many of them from Hispanic descent,  to  teach  our  students  how  to  best  serve  them  and  their  unique  needs,” Gustafson said. “As  we  look  at  the  rich culture  and  history  of  the  residents  of  Casa  Blanca,  we  hope  to  not  only  preserve  this  history  but  share  it.”

The grant will allow the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences to provide 20 undergraduate students with a paid internship opportunity to work on this project. There will also be several spots available for students from the College of Architecture Visual Arts Design to help secure digital records of the conversations that take place.

“Undergraduate students who participate will not only gain valuable internship and research experience, but also expand their cultural competence and hopefully build meaningful relationships and connections,” Gustafson said. “Going forward, we also hope that the Legacy Project can extend to reach senior populations in other neighborhoods of Riverside and the surrounding Inland Empire.”

For more information on The Legacy Project or internship opportunities please contact Dr. Jennifer Costello.

 

Family Updates

Dr. Erin Smith, associate professor of psychology, presented a paper at the Canadian Scientific and Christian Affiliation Conference in Langley, British Columbia, May 11-14. The paper was titled It’s not just the content: Understanding person-level variables in the science-religion dialogue.

 

 

 

 

Morgan Rither, adjunct professor of modern languages and literature, was honored by Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione (’87) on behalf of the county on May 14. She received a certificate of recognition in honor of her outstanding academic, professional and community accomplishments.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Keanon Alderson, professor of business, had a second edition of his book published. Alderson uses the book, Understanding the Family Business: The differences between family and non-family businesses (Business Expert Press, May 2018), in his family business management class.

 

 

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, associate professor of civil engineering and construction management, and two CBU students attended the second round of student presentation competitions hosted by Riverside-San Bernardino Institute of Transportation Engineers on May 17. Students Tanya Gonzalez and Aaron Richter presented their civil engineering and construction management capstone design project—Adams Overpass Overhaul. They placed third in the competition.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Dan Wilson, professor of biblical studies, and Mike Bishop, director of the Career Center, and three CBU students were part of a team from The Grove Community Church in Riverside that spent two weeks in Uganda. The students—Johnny Tillman, Jackson Jaramillo and Mitch Peters—are all students in the School of Christian Ministries. The team provided training to leaders of churches in Sudanese refugee camps and spent time encouraging pastors in their church planting activities.

 

 

Jennifer Tronti, assistant professor of English, made a presentation at the Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature in Newberg, Oregon, April 13-15. The paper was titled ‘Refracted through those tears, those specific tears’: Ritual (Re)Vision in Thomas Pynchon’s The Crying of Lot 49. Tronti also participated in a poetry reading and a roundtable discussion about literary studies within higher education.

 

 

 

Dr. John Park, adjunct professor of psychology, presented a paper at the American Association of Behavioral Sciences in Las Vegas on April 21-23. His paper was titled Influence of Gender Role Attitude on Depression in Korean Employed Married Women: Focusing on the Differences Between Full-Time (FT) Workers and Part-Time (PT) Workers in South Korea.

 

 

 

 

Hector Jimenez, assistant professor of music, spoke at the National Worship Leader Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, May 7-9. His presentations were titled Focus on the Goal: Finding the Key to Diversity and The Heart of the Church: Songwriting for Your Congregation.

 

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for Information and Technology Services, had several articles published recently. Time for a Victory Lap was published in Church Production Magazine (April 2018). Building Teams that Thrive without Us and Understanding the Mission were featured on the Church Production Magazine’s online devotional section.

 

 

 

 

Lisa Schwartz, department secretary for Allied Health Professions, was named employee of the month for June. Her nomination included the following statements: “Lisa can always be counted on to be available and efficient in everything that you assign her. She is eager and extremely competent in completing the task beyond my expectations. Lisa is the face of the department being the first person someone sees when they enter. Students and faculty feel supported and heard when they ask her something.”

 

 

 

CBU Athletics will host more than 2,500 students for camps this summer. Faculty and staff members receive a 10 percent discount off of all athletic summer camps. To view a list of camps please visit www.cbulancers.com/camps or call 951-552-8283 to register your son or daughter today.

 

Personnel Updates

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CBU kicks off new student orientation for fall semester

The 2018 fall semester at California Baptist University is still more than a 100 days away. However, new incoming freshmen were eagerly preparing for their upcoming college career on May 14 at New Student Orientation.

More than 280 students, along with their parents, registered to attend the first orientation for the fall semester at CBU.

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

“Students benefit because they are able to start making steps towards the journey God has in place for them,” Stovall said. “Parents benefit because we have specific programming that equips them to help their students’ transition to college.”

Dustin Lowe, director of undergraduate admissions, said orientation is an opportunity for students to take their first step in their college career.

“Students have the opportunity to receive clarity on all final steps to become a Lancer,” Lowe said.

Throughout the day, students and parents received information about student services, financial aid and CBU’s mission and purpose. The students also had the opportunity to register for classes and obtain their student ID cards.

Marissa Sannipoli, an incoming photography freshman, said she selected CBU for its Christian values. Her mom, Janet, is thankful for the college choice.

“We’ve been to campus several times now and every time I come, it just confirms her decision to come here,” Janet Sannipoli said. “There’s nowhere else like CBU.”

Sarah Munoz, a Menifee, California, resident, will be a liberal arts freshman.

“When I first stepped on campus, I felt at home and that God put me here, Munoz said. “I’m excited to be independent and find my own path.”

Her mom, Veronica Munoz, said she appreciated hearing during orientation that college is an adjustment for both the students and the parents.

“I feel more confident in her decision to come here,” Veronica Munoz said. “It’s time for their own journey, and [orientation] helps us as parents prepare for that journey with them.”

Orientation will be offered six more times for first-time students and five for transfer students before the start of the fall semester.

 

CBU, City of Riverside donate laptops to Cuautla, Mexico

California Baptist University donated 25 laptop computers to the city of  Cuautla, Mexico, on May 6 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its sister city relationship with Riverside. Cuautla is nearly 65 miles south of Mexico City and has a population of more than 160,000.

The mayor’s office in Riverside, after discovering the main library in Cuautla needed computers, decided to donate multiple computers. The office also contacted CBU to see if they could add to the contribution.

Dr. Tran Hong, associate vice president of technology for Online and Professional Studies division at CBU, said that his team put the donated laptops through a reimaging process that included a clean installation of Microsoft Windows operating system.

Dr. Charles Sands, provost and vice president for academic affairs at CBU, with Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey presented the gifts to representatives from Cuautla who were visiting Riverside for the anniversary.

Sands said the recipients were thankful for the laptops.

“CBU is committed to community and global engagement in a very intentional and purposeful way,” Sands said. “One of the core four outcomes we strive to impart at CBU is to be ‘Globally Minded’ and thus participating in providing opportunities for others to gain access to information fits extremely well with our mission and purpose as an educational institution.”

 

The Office of Student Success offers resources for students

The Office of Student Success at California Baptist University is committed to helping students excel academically throughout their entire Lancer academic career.

“Our primary mission is to get students from the first day in the classroom all the way to commencement,” said Dr. Jeff Barnes, dean of Student Success. “We provide the resources necessary to come alongside them and help make that happen.”

The office offers services such as tutoring, exam proctoring, academic guidance in addition to coordinating study groups and workshops. Additionally, Student Success offers study rooms and computer workstations for students to use. Moreover, the office provides several disability services, such as academic coaching and notetaking services, for individuals who have documented learning, physical and psychiatric disabilities.

Michael Osadchuk, coordinator of the Office of Student Success, said the office is not only for students who need help but also for those who want to take their studies to the next level.

“We’re always trying to help students be successful and to see success as more than not failing,” Osadchuk said.

Student Success has more than 70 tutors available. All the tutors are students who have passed classes with a B+ or higher and most come with faculty recommendations. In the fall 2017 semester, more than 2,000 students used the tutoring services.

Students who need tutoring can make an appointment or go the tutoring center in the evening on a walk-in basis.

“All of the things that we’re trying to do are centered on creating community for our students, specifically within academics,” said Steve Neilsen, assistant dean of student success.

 

CBU dispatches first wave of global service project teams

The Office of Mobilization at California Baptist University kicked off its 2018 summer of service with the traditional send-offs at the Kugel over the weekend.

Per CBU tradition, before their International Service Project (ISP) departure, teams gather to pray at the Kugel, a globe that rests on a base with the scripture from Matthew 28:19-20 etched in stone, symbolizing CBU’s commitment to the Great Commission. This year, more than 300 volunteers, comprising 37 ISP teams, will serve in 24 different countries.

This summer marks the 23rd year of global outreach by students, staff and faculty members at CBU.

Teams typically serve in areas such as conducting sports camps, teaching English to university students, providing healthcare and engineering skilled service and assisting with various children’s ministries. The purpose is to work with the indigenous church and its leaders to form connections with community members.

“Our goal is to see and recognize how God is already at work, making His name known amongst the nations, with hearts grateful to be a part of what He is doing,” said Kris Smith, assistant director of Mobilization at CBU.

Teams during the first and second wave for ISP will depart from CBU throughout the month of May. Teams will go to Asia, Taiwan, Middle East, Spain, Uganda, United Kingdom, Canada, Dominican Republic and South America.

This year’s theme is “Advance,” inspired by Philippians 1:12-13.

“We used a reference from Philippians where the Apostle Paul relays the idea of advancing of the gospel,” said Jeff Lewis, director of Mobilization at CBU. “We can focus on gospel development and the idea that as a follower of Christ, we’re to be strategic participants in the advancement of the gospel.

Lewis said service helps students mature in their faith.

“Global service should be a part of a natural maturity process as a follower of Christ,” Lewis told a group of friends and family members at the send-off event on May 5. “Thank you for supporting your students to go abroad and serve.”

For Chloe Mazakas, a nursing junior, this will be her first ISP trip. Her team of nursing majors will serve in mobile clinics in Southeast Asia.

“I’m excited to serve and put my faith into action,” Mazakas said. “I’ve been praying about going on an ISP trip and finally decided to go for it.”

Brittney Perkins, a nursing senior, is serving on her second ISP team.

“I grew so much spiritually during my first ISP trip that I wanted to go again,” Perkins said. “I also believe that this is what God is calling me to do and I want to be obedient.”

 

CBU holds inaugural spring commencements at Events Center

California Baptist University wrapped up three days of celebration this week at the first spring commencement ceremonies held at the CBU Events Center. Students received cheers and praise in front of thousands of friends and family members at four ceremonies May 2-4.

An estimated 13,000 individuals attended the spring commencement ceremonies at CBU.

In his commencement address, Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, said the ceremonies in the Events Center were an example of the building blocks CBU has assembled over the years that benefit students.

“Creating and maintaining strong academic programs is another crucial building block at CBU. Not only does it enhance the reputation of CBU as a premiere comprehensive Christian university, it also drives enrollment that fuels the growth and development of the institution—all of which undergird and boost the value of the diplomas you graduates soon will be receiving,” Ellis said.

Jenna Cray, a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering graduate, recently landed a job as a software engineer with Amazon in Austin, Texas. Cray said CBU was instrumental in her development as an engineer.

“Everything I know about software, I learned at CBU,” Cray said. “I appreciate the instructors at the university. They were great and caring.”

Naomi Villagran, a Bachelor of Science in Biology graduate, will be pursuing a medical degree. She said her time at CBU was beneficial.

“It’s been a good journey. I’ve enjoyed getting involved with campus programs such as being a FOCUS (First year orientation and Christian university success) leader and going on an ISP (International Service projects) trip to Spain,” Villagran said.  “I will miss the professors and the interactions I had with them.”

David Zavala, a Bachelor of Arts in Film graduate, is excited about moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the film industry.

“My passion for film only grew at CBU,” Zavala said. “I believe that the foundation that I’ve built at CBU has prepared me to be as ready as I can be.”

Dr. Steve Davidson, 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.

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

The Class of 2018 represents CBU’s largest graduating class ever with 2,549 students eligible to participate in fall, spring and summer commencement ceremonies.

 

Distinguished Professor, Scholar and Staff of the Year honored

California Baptist University presented key awards to two faculty and a staff member during its annual faculty and staff awards banquet on May 3.

Each year, Board of Trustees for CBU selects the Distinguished Professor and Distinguished Scholar award recipients.

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, associate professor of civil engineering and construction management, was named Distinguished Professor, a faculty member who has established a record of distinguished service to CBU.

Bai is chair of the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management and faculty advisor for American Society of Civil Engineers student club. He recently won the ASCE Outstanding faculty advisor award at the regional level—all of California—for his engagement and impactful leadership with the ASCE student chapter at CBU.

“His students are inspired by his excellence,” Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, said at the awards ceremony.

Dr. Erin Smith, assistant professor of psychology, was named Distinguished Scholar. She is being recognized for her research proposal titled “Considering the Great Commission: An Exploration of the Social-Cognitive Influences on Science Engagement among Christians.”

Smith has written an instructional module for students in psychology on the development of scientific knowledge that affirms the importance of engaging multiple perspectives in science for advancing knowledge.

Smith expects that her research “will help us better pursue Christ’s Commission in all corners of the world, even the corners filled with beakers, lab coats, and potential hostility to religious belief,” she wrote in her application.

Beth Morabito, administrative secretary for school of nursing, was named Employee of the Year. CBU’s Executive Council selects the Employee of the Year recipient from those staff members who have been named employees of the month during the academic year.

Morabito was recognized for her faithful service as administrative secretary and as key point person with the Nursing Education Consultant at the California Board of Registered Nursing. She also has participated in CBU’s International Service Projects.

“Beth exemplifies the Lancers’ Spirit as well as the CBU values of excellence, teamwork and customer service,” Ellis said.

Additionally, 137 employees received service awards for combined service of 1,345 years to CBU. The longest-serving faculty member, Dr. Alan Fosset, professor of chemistry, was recognized for 30 years of service.

 

Chem-E-Car places third at regional event, advances to nationals

Students at California Baptist University, along with their “VW Bus,” earned a third-place finish at the Chem-E-Car competition held April 28 at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Western Regional Conference. The team earned a spot at the national competition held in October.

An additional CBU student team earned a 5th place finish at the event.  The CBU teams competed against 13 other cars.

The Chem-E-Car competition challenges students to build shoebox-sized vehicles that are self-powered and can stop by a chemical reaction. Additionally, the car must travel a specified distance within two minutes, typically 15 to 30 meters, while carrying an assigned amount of water. The car that ends up closest to the designated finish line wins the competition.

Chemical engineering students at CBU, who are part of the student chapter of American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), built and designed the cars. The third place winner featured students: James Suzuki, Sarah Hrovat, Luis Rodriguez, Kristine Sellona and Edward Mikenas. The team designed the exterior as a tribute to the Volkswagen Classic bus.

The body of the car was constructed with carbon fibers, which provided strength while remaining lightweight, said Dr. Sarah Zhao, assistant professor of chemical engineering and the AIChE club advisor.

Zhao said that the students powered the car by a customized lead-acid rechargeable battery.

“Students demonstrated that they grasped the concept of electrochemical reactions within the chemical engineering domain,” Zhao said.

Zhao said she was proud of the students’ collaborative work.

“Our students performed very well in the competition. They have showcased knowledge across engineering span in their design, and demonstrated their abilities to precisely control chemical reactions,” Zhao said.

 

Family Updates

Mary Ann Stahovich, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, spoke at the Riverside Community Diabetes Collaborative meeting in Riverside on April 16. The title of her presentation was Got Insulin? It’s Ok.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Sandra Romo, assistant professor of communication for Online and Professional Studies, co-wrote an article published in the International Journal of Education and Social Science (Vol. 5 No. 3). The article was titled Standardizing Higher Education Curriculum for Effective Learning in Online and Face-to-face Courses: A Critical Analysis and Introduction to Master Course Shell Models.

 

 

 

Julie Jones, assistant director of Academic Advising, and her husband, Jonathan Jones, adjunct professor for political science, presented at the Rebirth Homes’ Human Trafficking 101 Workshop in Riverside on April 21. Her presentation included an overview of human trafficking and its impact on the community. His was on the Biblical perspective of human trafficking and the depravity of mankind.

 

 

 

Dr. Cammy Purper, associate professor of education, and Dr. Greg Bowden, associate professor of education, both for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the annual WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) Academic Resource Conference in Burlingame, California, on April 26. They presented results from their research Metacognitive Journaling in the Online Classroom.

 

 

 

Dr. Michelle Nielsen Hernandez, associate professor of mathematics, co-authored an article that was published in the Potential Analysis Journal.  The article is titled Stopping Time Convergence for Processes Associated with Dirichlet Forms.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Dominick Sturz, associate professor of public health for Online and Professional Studies, was appointed the Binational Education Advisory Board by the Consul of Mexico in San Bernardino. The board provides an outreach that entails participation of educational institutions and organizations that strive to serve the diverse communities of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The board focuses on addressing, developing and sharing best practices and resources that support the educational attainment of local students and quality of life for all.

 

 

Dr. Leslie Wickman, professor of aerospace, industrial and mechanical engineering, and members of Students for Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) club designed, built and tested a high altitude balloon system. Wickman, and CBU students Zach Benstead, Austin Courtney and Robert King launched the balloon in the desert near Helendale, California, on May 4. They were able to recover the payload very close to their predicted location.

 

 

 

Dr. Robert LaChausse, associate professor of public health sciences, wrote an op-ed published in the Highland News on May 2. The article about the program aimed at spreading awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol was titled Every 15 Minutes programs don’t work.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Lily Lee, adjunct professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, successfully defended her dissertation at Loma Linda University School of Public Health. The title was Employer/Staff and Community Health Worker Perceptions on Organizational Readiness and Intention For Health Care Integration.

 

 

 

Dr. Melissa Wigginton, associate professor of health science, and students from the Public Health Club collected pajamas, blankets, stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons, pens/pencils and hygiene products in April. They packed 30 backpacks to be delivered to a local agency to be distributed to children who are entering into foster care.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Matthew Rickard, professor of bioengineering, and Dr. Creed Jones, professor of computing, software and data sciences, presented a paper at the ARVO Imaging in the Eye Conference in Honolulu on April 28.  The title was Scleral strain measurements near the limbus using in vivo imaging. CBU student authors on the paper were: Naim Lazkani, Laura Macy, Joshua Park, Jonathan Key, Chardythe Gipson-Bean, Jacob Gentry and Marleigh Saenz.

 

 

 

Emily Anderson, an actuarial science senior, passed the Probability actuarial exam (Exam P), which is administered by the Society of Actuaries, on May 8.  The exam tests knowledge of the fundamental probability tools for quantitatively assessing risk. Anderson is the first reported actuarial science student to pass an exam.

 

Alpha Tau Sigma, CBU’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, an international English honor society, inducted 19 new members on April 17: Sydney Aguas, Nia Attanasio, Brian Chidueme, Diana Corona, Jessica Devine, Madison Haugland, Emily Key, Riley Nevarez, Aaron Siemens, Peter Wilkinson, Jr., Alejandra Andrade, LaVees Best, Ethan Cook, Sarah Dane, Sonia Luiz, Alison Sales, Tracie Shaw, Sophia Wayne and Brooke Young. Also, Sarah Rodriguez, Alpha Tau Sigma president, was presented with the English department’s annual A.J. Staples Award.

 

Dr. Chris Morgan, dean of the School of Christian Ministries, and Dr. Anthony Chute, professor of church history, contributed an article for the CSB (Christian Standard Bible) Worldview Study Bible (Holman Bible Publishers, May 15). Morgan wrote The Bible and Intellectual Pursuit, and Chute wrote Fall and Redemption.

 

 

 

Dr. Erika Travis, associate professor of modern languages and literature and behavioral sciences, facilitated a round table discussion at the Conference on Christianity and Literature’s 2018 regional conference in Newberg, Oregon, on April 13-15. The discussion was titled Wheat and Chaff? Special Topics, Trendy Texts, and the Fate of Traditional Literature Class.

 

 

 

CBU’s American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapter participated in the Pacific SouthWest Conference in Tempe, Arizona, on April 11-14. Forty CBU students competed against 17 other schools in 18 events including steel bridge competition, concrete canoe, and numerous sports activities. CBU teams placed first in Kan Jam (a Frisbee game), Obstacles, and Mystery event; second in the Impromptu and Tug of War; and fifth in Surveying competition.

 

Dr. James J. Lu, professor of English, presented a paper at the 2018 Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature in Newberg, Oregon, on April 13-15. It was titled Virginia Woolf’s “Between the Acts”: A Trauma-Theory Case Study.

 

 

 

Dr. Amanie Abdelmessih, professor of aerospace, industrial and mechanical engineering, served as a panelist at the SWE (Society of Women Engineers) Professional Development Conference in Anaheim on April 21. The title of the panel Soaring to New Heights from the Foundation you have Built.

 

 

 

 

The CBU chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta (International Sociology Honor Society) is the 2017-2018 recipient of the Chapter of the Year award. The chapter will receive $500 for chapter development and service activities. Dr. Carol Minton-Ryan, professor of sociology, leads the chapter.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Michael Chute, professor of journalism, and his wife, Dr. Kathie Chute, adjunct professor of journalism, welcomed their third grandchild on April 7. Emma Grace Tillman weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces. Emma’s parents are Kristen and Jon Tillman.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CBU graduates urged to live their purpose with passion

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of California Baptist University, congratulated hundreds of graduating students during an Online and Professional Studies commencement ceremony at the CBU Events Center on May 2.

From May 3-4, CBU will hold three additional ceremonies, representing the first spring commencement ceremonies held in the Events Center. With more than 1,434 individuals who are eligible to participate in commencement activities in the spring, combined with the candidates for graduation in the fall 2017 semester, the Class of 2018 represents CBU’s largest graduating class ever (2,549).

Ellis said the ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the accumulation of hard work.

“Today, the goal you have been pursuing for years at last is at hand. Today, we congratulate the graduating Class of 2018. We celebrate the achievements realized this day because each of you graduates made it your purpose to earn a degree,” said Ellis during his commencement address.

Ellis noted that each student has an important story to tell about their development as individuals through their time at CBU.

“Many [students’ stories] involve personal examples of service and transformation that you experienced or witnessed as you seized the opportunity to put your faith into practice. Some served in the densely populated urban settings of Southern California. For others, mobilization meant serving cross-culturally in major cities across America or far-away places around the globe,” Ellis said. “The details vary from one story to the next; but in virtually every instance, your participation demonstrated some or all of CBU’s student outcomes, known as the Core Four. These are qualities that every graduate of CBU should embody—to be Biblically Rooted, Academically Prepared, Globally Minded and Equipped to Serve.”

Ellis urged students to use the training they have received as a foundation to live a life of purpose and significance.

“My earnest hope and prayer is that each of you will lean into this new beginning with genuine Lancer zeal. May you ‘Live Your Purpose’ with passion, and with the same determination that has guided you to this joyful day of celebration. May your CBU experience and your CBU degree serve as rock-solid building blocks in a strong foundation for your future goals and dreams. And may the Lord continue to bless,” Ellis said.

 

Master’s hooding ceremonies celebrate students’ achievements

Hundreds of master’s degree candidates at California Baptist University are celebrating their academic achievements at hooding ceremonies, leading up to commencement ceremonies May 2-4.

More than 475 master’s degree candidates are 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 has the largest group of master’s candidates with 86. The Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education has the second largest group with 84 candidates. Additionally, the Online and Professional Studies division has 156 candidates for graduation throughout its various programs.

At the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences hooding ceremony, held on May 1 at Magnolia Church, Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the college, encouraged students to go into their professional fields with a service mindset.

“Now it is time to go and serve your community,” Gustafson said. “You’ll meet those who are hurting, vulnerable and oppressed. May you be the difference, one culture, one community and one person at a time.”

Dr. Bruce Stokes, professor of anthropology and behavioral sciences at CBU, explained the history of the hooding regalia and the importance of the tradition.

“As we place the hood upon you, we are acknowledging that you have mastered in the area of knowledge and you are now going forth to practice that knowledge for the benefit of society and … for the benefit of the kingdom of God,” Stokes said.

CBU will conduct four commencement ceremonies on May 2-4 at the Events Center. For more information on commencement, click here.

 

Oaks becomes first Lancer to pitch in the Majors

Trevor Oaks (‘14) made his Major League Baseball debut April 28 as the starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, becoming the first Lancer to pitch in the big leagues. Oaks struck out four batters through five innings but suffered the loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Ned Yost, manager for the Royals, said he found promise in Oaks’ complete performance.

“We really liked the action on his fastball…You’re looking at his composure, you’re looking at how he fields his position, you’re looking at his game awareness and how he controls the running game,” Yost said at his post-game interview. “He’s really good with controlling the running game with the slide step. He’s really good when he’s down in the zone.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased for Trevor and his family,” said Gary Adcock, head baseball coach at CBU. “This opportunity is the culmination of hard work, perseverance and prayer.”

Oaks said the outcome of the game was not what he wanted but he felt confident on the mound.

“Looking back at the game I think I could have made some different pitches, executed better and kept the ball down” Oaks said at a post-game conference. “I’m going to move forward and do the best I can to get back here.”

After the game the Royals optioned Oaks back to the club’s Triple-A affiliate the Omaha Storm Chasers.

This year marks Oaks’ fifth year in professional baseball after spending the last four years in the minor leagues. The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Oaks in the seventh round at 219 overall of the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Oaks was then traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers in January 2018, as the team moved him from a World Series contender deep with top pitching to the Royals, a team in the process of rebuilding.

While Oaks is the first Lancer to debut in the MLB, there are several who are knocking on the door.  Fellow pitchers Caleb Dirks and Adam Hofacket are currently playing at the Triple-A level with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organizations respectively. Additionally, catcher Sharif Othman is playing Double-A ball with the Miami Marlins.

 

Four students selected to ring in commencement ceremonies

More than 1,400 students at California Baptist University will be eligible to participate in four commencement ceremonies held in the Events Center from May 2-4. Of the thousands of students participating in the ceremonies, four academically high-ranking Lancers will be opening up each ceremony with a CBU tradition—the ringing of the bell.

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

The bell ringers include Christopher Morgan, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Technology candidate from CBU Online, chosen for the Online and Professional Studies ceremony on May 2. Sarah Rodriguez, a Bachelor of Arts in English candidate, will ring the bell at the May 3, 9:30 a.m. ceremony, and Kayla Ruiz, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting candidate, was chosen for the May 3, 2 p.m. ceremony. Heidi Edwards, a Bachelor of Science in Communication Science and Disorders candidate, will ring the bell at the May 4 ceremony.

Rodriguez, who has a 4.0 GPA, said she is grateful for the learning opportunities CBU provided.

“My biggest challenge was my first semester. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life,” Rodriguez said. “After four years I have a better idea of what I want for myself and my life.”

Rodriguez will move into a role as a representative and liaison for the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, Third District, after commencement.

Ruiz, who has a 4.0 GPA, will work for a wealth management company starting in the fall. She said the people at CBU left an impact on her.

“There have been various staff members who have been instrumental in my development as a leader, employee and follower of Christ,” Ruiz said. “At CBU, my learning didn’t end in the classroom, but rather was continued through interacting with staff and faculty who live out the gospel in their everyday lives, encouraging students to do the same.”

Edwards said it is an honor to ring the CBU bell and is also confirmation that her hard work was worth the effort. Edwards, who has a 4.0 GPA, will return to CBU in the fall to pursue a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology.

“While I have always enjoyed helping others, the faculty in the communication disorders department truly represent and encourage the knowledge and compassion needed to serve others,” Edwards said. “My professors have helped remind me why I am in this field. Because of them, I am able to remain faithful in my intentions and desire to serve.”

 

Students enjoy traditional late-night break from finals

Hundreds of students took a break from preparing for final exams on the evening of April 26 to enjoy a late-night breakfast served by California Baptist University faculty and staff.

The breakfast, 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.

“It was such a good pause in the night,” said Christian Salley, an undeclared freshman. “I had been studying for hours, so it was a much needed time with friends.”

Dr. Wayne Fletcher, associate provost, said volunteering at the breakfast was important to him.

“They see us taking time out of our schedules to come and serve them. That’s what we want to communicate, students are the heart of what we do at CBU,” Fletcher said.

Austin Boaman, resident director of Smith Hall, enjoyed seeing students in a more relaxed environment.

“I also love seeing the seniors right before they graduate. It’s a great way to celebrate their achievements,” said Boaman, who greeted students and served beverages at the event.

For Hannah Wolfe, a public relations senior, this was her last time to take part in the tradition.

“It was a little bittersweet, but just another reminder how amazing CBU is and how big of a blessing the faculty have been,” Wolfe said.

 

CBU shines at Baptist national competition for media

California Baptist University won multiple communication awards at the 54^th Annual Wilmer L. Fields Awards competition held on April 20. The Baptist Communicators Association hosted the event in Washington, D.C., at its annual members’ meeting.

CBU campus publications—The Banner newspaper and Pursuit magazine—won a combined 11 awards in the student competition. The Banner won first place in the Newspaper Design category and first place in the Single Article category for the story “Vegas Massacre Touches Inland Empire,” written by Kaitlynn Labit and Alexandra Applegate. Pursuit magazine captured five first place awards for the publication’s content and design elements in addition to the Best Overall student entry for the fall 2017 issue.

“This is amazing that our student publications won so many significant awards in the BCA competition. It is further evidence of the quality of work our students do on the campus publications,” said Dr. Michael Chute, director of the journalism and new media and public relations program at CBU. “It is exciting to see our students get this kind of recognition for their excellent work and dedication to the publications.”

The Marketing and Communication division at CBU won two grand prizes in the professional competition. One was for “Christie Halverson NCAA II All-American” portrait, featured in the summer 2017 edition of The Roundtable, which won best overall photograph. Additionally, the division captured best print media and design award for the “Live Your Purpose” campaign. The  2016-2017 President’s Report publication earned CBU a second place award in the Annual Report category.

Dr. Mark A. Wyatt, vice president for Marketing and Communication at CBU, said the creative team of designers and writers he leads shares credit for the prizes CBU won.

“These awards bring positive recognition to the university for the excellent work our team members consistently produce,” Wyatt said. “I am especially pleased that the design campaign built around the theme, ‘Live Your Purpose’®, earned a grand prize for CBU.”

The Wilmer L. Fields Awards competition receives hundreds of entries from Baptist ministries, agencies, colleges and newspapers across the country.

 

Alumni, student win advertising awards, head to nationals

Three alumni and a student from California Baptist University won either a gold or silver at the American Advertising Federation (AAF) District 15 awards. The placement allows the students’ work to advance to the AAF national competition held in June.

Caleb Bol (’17) won gold in the Animation or Special Effects category. Bol submitted a demo reel that showcased his best work as a CBU student.

“I’m really excited to be part of such a great group that won at districts. I really admire the work of all these designers,” Bol said.

Jessica Thomas, a graphic design and photography senior, and alumni Jonathan Logerstedt (’17) and Allison Cordova (’17) each won silver.

Thomas, who earned her award in the category of Printed Annual Report or Brochure, learned that research is key to creating a unique design.

“You need to know the look your client wants. You should be crafting your work to fit what they represent, but yet put your own twist on it,” Thomas said.

Logerstedt, who won for a stylized comic book in the Magazine Design entry, said the accomplishments reflect the quality of the graphic design program at CBU.

“Our professors are rock stars and role models, and so awards are just a symbol of the inspiration and perspiration they pour into us,” Logerstedt said.

Cordova won for her musical-themed advertising campaign.

“I learned that it is better when I take my time on an idea because my best idea isn’t usually my first idea,” Cordova said. “Winning silver at the district level is exciting, knowing that design professionals gave my work an award is really encouraging for me.”

Dirk Dallas, assistant professor of graphic design and digital media, said the awards the students received indicate the level of skills that CBU students possess.

“To have outside professionals acknowledge and award our students’ work with top honors helps bring legitimacy to the fact that we have a great thing going on here,” Dallas said. “It also reminds us that as Christians we can help raise the bar and have a seat at the table by being a part of the conversation with other industry professionals.”

The students advanced to the district competition for the AAF competition by earning a top finish at the Inland Empire AAF awards. AAF District 15 covers Southern California and Southern Nevada.

 

ROTC cadets conduct tactical training at Camp Pendleton

Cadets in the Army ROTC at California Baptist University participated in intensive training exercises held at Camp Pendleton on April 12-15. The training included tactical scenarios such as an ambush, reconnaissance and a squad or platoon attack.

More than 25 CBU cadets joined in the exercise that brought together a culmination of instruction the students received over the year. ROTC at CBU is part of a six-college intercollegiate-group. A total of 140 cadets took part in the training exercise at Camp Pendleton. Senior cadets coordinated the event under the guidance of their ROTC officers.

The cadets were grouped diverse collegiate squads and platoons to facilitate relationships and share best practices learned within different campuses, said Cpt. John S. Dabrowski, CBU assistant professor of military science.

“The exercise is designed to test their adaptability, critical thinking as well as technical knowledge of infantry operations,” Dabrowski said.

Laura Buffa, a biomedical sciences sophomore at CBU, said she benefited from the format of training.

“I learned how to be a better soldier and how to learn from different leadership styles,” Buffa said.

Sheraya Bentick, a Christian ministries senior and a cadet battalion commander at CBU, said she is developing a sharp eye for tactical maneuvers.

“I had to have a bird’s-eye view of everything that’s happening on the ground,” Bentick said of her role during the training exercises. “It’s a lot of critical thinking because our [instructor] is always asking us questions, always developing us, always making sure we’re constantly thinking of what’s next.”

Bentick will be commissioned into the Army next month to begin her basic officer training.

“I feel like the program and our [ROTC officers] have thoroughly prepared me. I’m ready to go,” Bentick said.

 

Student filmmakers showcase short films at CBU film festival

More than 260 individuals filled The Box theatre in downtown Riverside for 7^th annual California Baptist University Student Film Festival that featured 14 short films.

The students created productions that ranged in genres from documentaries to romance to comedy. The festival is open to all CBU students who have made films over the last year.

“This is really for people who have dreams of doing this for a living, as a filmmaker, to have a chance to showcase their work, to learn and to have a chance to complete a project that’s going to be shown publicly,” said Dr. Melissa Croteau, professor of film studies at CBU.

Michael Duggan, Nathan Rierson, Allen Fletcher and Jonathan Cadenhead, all freshman film majors, wrote and directed “Film School.” The film won the award for Best Screenplay.

Cadenhead said he enjoyed hearing the audience laugh in response to their film.

“We’re freshmen and going into this we’re the underdogs … and knowing that, we had something to prove,” said Duggan, “Getting recognized is awesome.”

David Ramos, a film studies junior, directed two films featured at the festival, “Purple Pen” and “Pulling Teeth.” “Purple Pen” won the award for Best Picture.

Ramos said his team wanted to tell a modern love story and depict the seasons people come in and out of one’s life as coinciding with the seasons of the year.

“I was just blessed with a great team,” Ramos said. “I think my favorite part of filmmaking is just the fact that it is a bunch of people getting together to tell a message and just to have fun.”

Student Film Festival Awards

Best Picture
Narrative: “Purple Pen” written and directed by David Ramos
Documentary: “Tranquility in the Disturbance” directed by Micha Emerine

Best Actress
Olivia Quebe, “Purple Pen”

Best Actor
Chandler Hancock, “Purple Pen”

Best Supporting Actor/Actress
Allison Montgomery, “Seven Minutes”

Best Cinematography
Micha Emerine, “Tranquility in the Disturbance” and “Ikigai”

Best Music/Soundtrack
Matt Thalin, “Ikigai”

Best Screenplay
Michael Duggan, Nathan Rierson, Allen Fletcher and Jonathan Cadenhead, “Film School”

Best Special/Visual Effects
“The White Window,” directed by Aaron Richter

Best Editing
Micha Emerine, “Tranquility in the Disturbance”

Best Production Design
“War Torn,” directed by Nikolas Main

 

CBU senior wins President’s Award for Excellence in Writing

For the second straight year, Sarah N. Rodriguez, an English senior at California Baptist University, won the President’s Award for Excellence in Writing. Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, presented the award at a luncheon April 18.

Rodriguez wrote her paper, “From Collins to Bertram: The Clergy in Austen’s Life and Writing,” during her study-abroad semester at Oxford University in England in 2017. The paper explores the portrayal of clergy in English novelist Jane Austen’s works.

“With a concise yet elaborate style for an enjoyable reading, the paper reflects the student writer’s diligence in research, maturity in critical thinking and mastery of the English language,” Dr. Joseph Bolin, dean of the School of Music and member of the selection committee, wrote of the paper.

Rodriguez received a certificate and a $500 prize.

Katherine A. Robinson, a student pursing a graduate degree in English, was awarded first runner-up for her paper, “The Illusion of Female Empowerment in William Wells Brown’s ‘Clotel: or, The President’s Daughter.’” Robinson’s critique argues that the character of Clotel actually weakens the feminist position, although it is often cited as a work of female empowerment.

“The student’s writing is mature, careful and engaging, while her topic is ambitious and timely,” Dr. Amy Stumpf, professor of society and religion and a member of the selection committee, wrote of the paper.

Robinson received a certificate and a prize of $300.

A six-member faculty selection committee used a formal voting process to choose the winning entries.

 

Family Updates

Dr. Linda-Marie Sundstrom, associate professor of public administration for Online and Professional Studies, presented research at the Western Social Science Conference in San Antonio, Texas, April 4-7.  Her two papers were titled Working for the Collective: A Comparative Analysis of Communist Subbotniks and American Charities and The Impacts of The Law of Jante and Lagom on the Success of Scandinavian Public Policy: An International Comparative Study.

 

 

 

The College Choice website recently ranked CBU No. 5 as one of the best Public Relations degrees in the nation. College Choice ranks colleges by combing stats from national databases with metadata aggregation from a wide array of other college ranking and review sites.

 

 

More than 300 CBU students took part in the CBU Counseling Center’s Mental Health Awareness event on April 10-11. The event, called “The Journey,” included experiences in simulation rooms on mental health topics such as eating disorders, depression and anxiety. Then students moved to rooms dedicated to hope, exercise and relaxation. At the end, students had the opportunity to paint a mold of a human brain and to view student art depicting their interpretations of mental health issues. Partnering with the Counseling Center were the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design; Spiritual Life; Recreation Center; and the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

 

Dr. Stephen Brown, associate professor of behavioral sciences for Online and Professional Studies, presented research at the Western Social Science Conference in San Antonio, Texas, April 4-7. The title of his paper was HBC 4U?: Are Historically Black Colleges & Universities Still Relevant?

 

 

 

The Environmental Science Club at CBU participated in the Keep Riverside Clean & Beautiful project on April 14. There were 163 volunteers who helped with cleaning up graffiti, planting and picking up litter at CBU and the surrounding Ward 5 area. Brenda Flores, assistant director – business administration for Facility and Planning Services, helped stage the kickoff and wrap-up on the front lawn of CBU.

 

 

Dr. Veola Vazquez, professor of psychology, published The Quarter Question (March 14), an illustrated Christian middle-grade novel (for ages 8-12). The book is the third and final book in The Coin Chronicles trilogy.

 

 

 

Dr. Dominick Sturz, associate professor of public health for Online and Professional Studies, collaborated with the Southern California Public Health Association in developing, hosting and moderating the Public Health Webinar Series: Talking Public Health on March 29. The topic for this session focused on HIV and HCV among incarcerated youth. The session was attended by more than 75 public health professionals around the country.

 

 

 

Dr. Shawn Wilhite, assistant professor of Christian Studies for Online and Professional Studies, recently became a research fellow for the Andrew Fuller Center and Center for Baptist Renewal. He was an editor for Apostolic Fathers Greek Reader, volume 4 (Glossa House, 2018). He also had an article, How to Integrate Patristics Voices in the Local Church, published in the Center for Baptist Renewal. He also had a review of Founding the Fathers: Early Church History and Protestant Professors in Nineteenth-Century America by Elizabeth A. Clark in Fides et Humilitas (Winter 2018).

 

 

Dr. Janet Bonome, assistant professor of public health, and Dr. Dominick Sturz, associate professor of public health, both for Online and Professional Studies, organized “Walk for Health” events to celebrate National Public Health Week (April 2-8). Faculty, staff, and student participated in one-mile walks in the Tyler Galleria. CBU Online is recognized as a national partner for the National Public Health Week initiative, which is organized by the American Public Health Association.

 

 

 

Dr. Nathan Iverson, assistant professor of psychology, and Josh Fuller, assistant professor of industrial-organizational psychology, attended the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology’s annual conference in Chicago on April 18-21. Iverson made a presentation titled Career Development Practices in a Global Economy.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Torria Davis, instructional designer, and Rich Simpson, registrar, both for Online and Professional Studies, presented a webinar with Blackboard on April 5. It was titled CBU/Online’s Use of A4L to Increase Student Success and Inform Course Design Decisions.

 

 

 

Dr. Effat Zeidan, assistant professor of science and mathematics, visited Mary B. Lewis Elementary School in Fontana on April 17. She spoke to sixth-graders about what being a scientist, what it takes to become a scientist and to encourage them to pursue careers in research to serve their community.

 

 

Dr. Joel Bigley, assistant professor of management, and Dr. Marc Weniger, associate professor of business, had a paper published in the Journal of Sociology and Christianity Vol. 8, No. 1 (2018). The paper was titled The West and the Religious “Other”: Connecting with Muslims.

 

 

 

CBU’s Society of Automotive Engineers Club had its first Formula 1 car from 2017 on display during the Long Beach Grand Prix April 13-15. The club has a new car in its final stages of completion in preparation for competition this summer.

 

 

CBU received a grant of $13,000 from a program of The Council of Independent Colleges. Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Jennifer Costello, assistant professor of social work, authored the application. The program, Intergenerational Connections: Students Serving Older Adults, is supported by the AARP Foundation. The award is to be used over the 2018–19 academic year to enhance connections between undergraduate students and older adults in the community. The grant will allow the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences to provide 20 undergraduate students with a stipend of $600 each.

 

 

Dr. Andrea Scott, dean of the Robert K. Jabs School of Business, was part of team that prepared a case for the North American Case Research Association, which is listed with the publishing arms of Harvard Business School and Ivey Business School. It is a social-enterprise case, called Skateistan, that is for upper-division or graduate-level courses on social enterprise, innovation and strategy.

 

 

 

CBU students in the physician assistant program classes of 2018 and 2019 attended an event, Journey to Becoming a Physician Assistant, at Marshall B. Ketchum University in Fullerton on April 7. The students promoted CBU’s PA program and mentored students. Jennifer Zamora, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, was a keynote speaker and spoke on Community Service, Shadowing, and Hands-On Patient Cafe.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ed Garrett, associate professor of sport management for Online and Professional Studies, recently became a contributing author to the monthly publication Volleyball Magazine. Garrett coached and officiated volleyball for more than 30 years and served in the 1996 Summer Olympics with the USA Beach Volleyball Program.

 

 

 

Dr. Jeffrey A. Barnes, dean of Student Success, and four CBU students attended the Alpha Chi National Honor Society Convention in Portland, Oregon, April 5-8. Barnes judged the political science sections. Barnes, who is the chapter sponsor, also received a Distinguished Service Award for his service to Alpha Chi. Each student made a presentation: Jennifer Lee—Rethinking Jamestown: A Historiographical Account; Sandy Huerta-Cruz—Educational Achievement Gap between English Language Learners and Non-English Language Learners; Kathryn Goldsmith—Global Justice: A Look into the Pressing Issue of Global Poverty; and Mary Brannon—You Are What You Eat: Nutrition and Epigenetics. Alpha Chi is a national honor society that recognizes the top 10 percent of juniors and seniors.

 

Dr. John Montgomery, dean of Spiritual Life, successfully defended his dissertation at Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, on April 27. The title was Exploring the Concept of Influence in Christian Disciple-Making: Toward the Development of a Theory Of Disciple-Making Leadership.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Geneva Oaks, dean of the College of Nursing, Dr. Jeffrey Gage, professor of nursing, and nursing student Vanessa Garcia took part in the Crossroads Car Show at Benedict Castle in Riverside on April 22. The event was to help raise funds for Teen Challenge Drug Rehabilitation of Southern California.

 

 

Students from the biological sciences department and environmental sciences program presented at the 43^rd annual West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference in Moraga, Calif., on April 14. Students performing research under the direction of Dr. Daniel Szeto, professor of biology and biochemistry, and Dr. Nathanael Heyman, associate professor of biology, presented posters: Gabriela Maria Gil-Mazariegos—Efficient Biochemical Approaches to Generate Double Genetic Mutant Phenotype in Zebrafish Embryos; Audrie Minnich, Timothy Koo and Alyssa Garcia—Developing the Zebrafish as a Model for the Study of Ion Channels in Cardiovascular Development and Function. Students performing research under the direction of Dr. Bonjun Koo, professor of environmental science, presented posters: Jonah Lay and Brittany Ducca—The Transport of Urban Runoff and Its Effects on Water Quality in a Natural Environment; and Stephanie Lara and Chau Nguyen—Evaluating Factors that Influence Carbon Sequestration on a Chronosequence of Reforested Mine Lands.

 

Dr. Monica O’Rourke, associate professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, and 10 undergraduate and graduate kinesiology students attended the Society for Health and Physical Educators National Convention in Nashville on March 20-24. Each student volunteered at the convention.

 

 

 

 

Students in the American Institute of Chemical Engineering club participated in the regional Chem-E-Car competition in Irvine on April 27-28. One CBU student team won third place in the poster competition. Another team won third place in performance competition and will advance to national competition in Pittsburgh this October.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ashley Parks, assistant professor of public health science, and her husband, Matthew Lazari, adjunct professor of public health science, welcomed a son on April 13. Luke Youtam Lazari weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 21 3/4 inches. His older siblings are sister Lily and brother Elijah.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

Disaster simulations prepare students for real-life collaboration

More than 170 graduate students from health-care programs at California Baptist University rushed to the aid of “victims” during interprofessional education disaster simulations held in the Events Center on April 14. An estimated 130 CBU students, family members and friends also volunteered as victims and were given simulated wounds.

Dr. Jolene Dickert, associate professor of athletic training, said interprofessional training is relevant in responding to crises.

“We’re seeing that the more we can come together, bringing a united front to these types of situations, the better patients will be taken care of, “Dickert said.  “I think it’s a win-win situation as we look to educate students and to prepare them for what they will face.”

Dr. Dayna Herrera, associate professor of nursing, said the event was the culmination of the interprofessional instruction that students received throughout the year.

“The over-arching goal is for all the disciplines to learn from, with and about each other,” Herrera said.

Before the simulations took place, students were assigned to interprofessional teams. The teams were then briefed on the disaster situation and received instructions on how to maximize care for the simulated victims.

Eileen Berrios, a public health graduate student, said the simulation helped her learn that her role is meant to improve future situations.

“In the heat of the moment during a disaster there is no perfect scene, but my role is meant to ensure that previously made mistakes are avoided in future occurrences,” Berrios said.

Jessica Barr, an athletic training graduate student, said the event reinforced the importance of understanding the roles of other health-care providers.

“I realized how important it is we not only understand the special skills we each possess individually as people and health-care providers, but how those skills can create a terrific team that is capable of helping the community at large when we work together,” Barr said.

 

Professor seeks to promote filmmakers through festival

The Riverside International Film Festival (RIFF) celebrates its “sweet 16” this year, and Dr. Jim Buchholz, festival president and California Baptist University professor, is thrilled to be showcasing more than 60 films from 14 countries. The festival runs from April 17-22 at the “The Box” in downtown Riverside.

Buchholz is passionate about performing, having acted on stage, performed stand-up comedy, and directed, produced and written short films. He even created a unique course at CBU to combine his interests called The Physics of Hollywood (PHY 112).

RIFF has additional ties to CBU. On April 19, the festival dedicates an evening to highlight the CBU Student Film Festival that will feature 15 student-produced short films.

CBU students will have an opportunity to see their productions on the big screen, Buchholz said. The student festival also is a competition where students can receive awards in several categories.

“I have felt for a long time that Christians need to be part of the secular world market,” Buchholz said. “When it comes to films, our films and their messages need to be part of the secular festival circuit too.”

This year’s festival has two themes important to Buchholz—human trafficking and women’s issues. Since hearing former President George W. Bush address human trafficking in 2001, Buchholz became inspired to bring more awareness to public. Additionally, he has seen the lack of female representation in the sciences, which led him to start the STEM Girls club at CBU.

“Since I’ve become a filmmaker, I’ve seen the same underrepresentation of women in film and have added that to my cause,” Buchholz said.

 

CBU student entrepreneurs win thousands in competition

Aspiring student entrepreneurs at California Baptist University pitched their innovative ideas at the second Bob Goodrich Business Plan Competition on April 18. The top three business models won a combined $10,000.

Team “Stove Stoppers” which consisted of Matthew Ressler and James Morales, both business administration freshmen at CBU, claimed the first prize and $5,000 for the competition sponsored by the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business. The team presented a business plan to create a device that could theoretically turn off a gas stove through a timer.

Ressler said he came up with the idea after hearing of instances where the stove was left on.

Ressler and Morales both said they conducted a lot of research in preparing their business plan for the competition.

“We learned the ins and outs of how it works to create a startup,” Morales said. “You think you have an idea and then it takes off. But there’s so much that goes behind it.”

Twenty-one teams submitted business plans earlier in the semester. Students came up with their own ideas but where required to have a faculty advisor guide them through the business plan preparation.

The submitted plans were then critiqued in areas such as market opportunity, financial understanding and investment potential. The initial 21 entrees were then narrowed down to six teams. The finalists were invited to participate at the Bob Goodrich Business Plan Competition where each team made a 5-minute presentation to a panel of judges and answered a variety of business related questions. Funds for the competition prizes came from an anonymous donor.

Dr. Andy Herrity, professor of entrepreneurship and business at CBU, Ellen Kaminski, assistant professor of business at CBU, and Mike Glanz (’06), founder of HireAHelper.com, judged the competition.

Glanz said the format of the competition allowed students to gain real-world critique and answer tough questions.

“I think it’s really good to go through the process of being able to outline the business and to get feedback,” Glanz said. “I feel like where I learned the most early on is from the difficult questions.”

Team “ExPress Coffee,” a proposed coffee shop that features arts lessons, came in second and received $3,000. Team “Citrus & Pine,” a conceptually consumer website that would provide specialized products reviews, took third place and $2,000.

The competition, which was open to all CBU students, was intended to simulate the real-world process of entrepreneurship, said Natalie Winter, associate dean for the School of Business.

“The purpose of the competition is to give students across campus the opportunity to collaborate on a potential business idea, to team with a faculty advisor to develop a plan to launch that business, and then to compete with other teams to win money that can be used to help launch the business,” Winter said.

 

CBU students present research at interdisciplinary colloquium

More than 70 California Baptist University students from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education and the College of Health Science presented research projects as part of the Student Research Colloquium on April 12.

The event held at the College of Health Science featured several individual oral presentations in addition to numerous poster presentations.

Each presenter had to pass an abstract review process, which was completed by CBU faculty, said Dr. Kristin Mauldin, assistant professor of psychology. The oral presenters at the event represented the top scores from this review process. Additionally, several students won awards for their poster presentation at the event.

Mauldin said she noticed that students were excited to present their research.

“The oral presenters did an excellent job presenting their research. They outlined the key components of their research in a manner that expressed their enthusiasm for their work and did a nice job handling questions from a room packed with interested attendees,” Mauldin said. “We (the faculty) are very proud of the effort shown by these students.”

Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, said the event represented CBU’s commitment to creating a cross-disciplinary environment.

“Students across programs and at all levels of study participated in both poster and oral presentations, driving forward an increased emphasis in research and inquiry across CBU,” Gustafson said.

Oral presenters from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences included Stefany Schmidgall who presented on “The effect of stress on eyewitness memory recall in college students,” and Alanna Gonzalez who presented on “Stress management group for high school females in low socioeconomic community.” From the School of Education, Wendeth Rauf shared her research on “Academic and social success of students: How pre-arrival surveys can help better prepare incoming students.” The College of Health Science had three teams that presented on research topics such as the absorption of proteins in the body, flexibility training and preventing infections.

Schmidgall said her hypothesis that stress affects students’ memories did not come to fruition. However, the research process itself sparked a new passion.

“I was actually super happy with my research. Obviously I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t find a relationship between stress and memory, but it’s a really good starting point for me,” Schmidgall said. “The project helped me find out that I’m passionate about research, so I’m so happy with how everything turned out.”

Poster award recipients:
Community Partners Award: Amber Koreas
Faculty Awards: Ashley McLendon, Elizabeth Connors, Radiance Jackson and Francisco Gamboa
Student Awards: Guadalupe Button, Sarah Villalobos, Paula Smith and Stephanie Lang

 

Grandparents of CBU students attend day dedicated to them

California Baptist University hosted more than 300 grandparents of students at the sixth annual Grandparents Day on April 12.

Josh Moss, director of alumni and parent relations, said Grandparents Day brings excitement across campus.

“The campus is buzzing when the grandparents arrive,” Moss said. “Students are getting close to the end of the semester and are quite busy, but just the sight of grandparents on campus brings a lot of smiles and joy.”

Grandparents had the opportunity to participate in a full day of planned activities. The day started with a welcome session, which highlighted the various factors that make CBU unique. Grandparents then had an array of options to take in the CBU culture including a chapel, a women’s choir performance, a Jazz Band concert and a preview of “Into the Woods,” the CBU theatre program’s latest production.

Additionally, grandparents could participate in a campus tour and enjoy lunch with their grandchild.

Paul Eldridge, vice president for University Advancement, said it was an honor to host grandparents at CBU.

“It’s a super blessing to have grandparents involved in your lives,” Eldridge said to students at the welcoming session.

Roger Johnson is a proud grandparent. His grandson, Calvin Johnson, is an electrical engineering student at CBU.

“Now that my grandson is pursuing the same degree that I obtained, it’s been neat to talk about things we can both relate to,” Roger Johnson said.

Danielle Wesolowski, a CBU senior, said she was thankful for Grandparents Day.

“I really appreciate this event,” Wesolowski said. “In my last year at CBU, I wanted to show my grandparents around and let them know how they have helped me in this journey.”

 

“Into the Woods” brings fairy tales to life at Wallace Theatre

The theatre program at California Baptist University is bringing together a mash-up of favorite storybook characters with the enchanting and touching tale of “Into the Woods,” starting April 13.

“You have Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and the Baker. They all get mixed up in each other’s stories,” said Lisa Lyons, adjunct professor of theatre and the play’s director.

The musical follows several characters who each make a wish. When everyone’s wishes are granted, the consequences of their actions return to haunt them.

Because of the fairy-tale aspects of the story, the costumes, makeup and even the acting are different from typical plays, Lyons said.

“So much of the time we’re asking the students to be realistic. This is a different style of acting,” Lyons said. “You have to be really over-the-top.”

Maddison Rickard, a theatre senior, plays Little Red Riding Hood and is co-designer for hair and makeup. Rickard said she watched several versions of the musical to come up with fresh ideas for the play.

“There are a lot of characters and everyone is so specific,” Rickard said. “It’s been a lot of work to customize every character to make them fit into the world.”

While the story is fun, Lyons said it also makes a statement.

“I hope the audience members have fun, but I hope they also get that message that no one is alone,” Lyons said.

David Cox, a graduate student who plays Cinderella’s father, said he hopes the audience learns from the characters’ reactions to life’s situations.

“We can make plans and have an idea of what the future holds but once life actually hits you and things aren’t the way that you wish they were, how you handle it is entirely up to you,” Cox said.

“Into the Woods”
When: April 19-21 at 7:30 p.m.; April 21 at 2 p.m.
Where: Wallace Theatre, California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA, 92504
Tickets: General admission $15, CBU Faculty and Staff $12, CBU students $10
Tickets or questions? Call the theatre box office at 951- 343-4319 or email: mhyde@calbaptist.edu

 

CBU community observes Spring Arbor Day

More than 80 students at California Baptist University celebrated Spring Arbor Day by planting scores of trees and plants on April 7.

The Facilities and Planning Services at CBU and the student Environmental Science Club organized the event. In total, students planted nine new trees in addition to 140 plants throughout campus.

Jonah Lay, president of the Environmental Science Club, said the event is a way for students to honor God’s creation.

“It’s good to see students coming together and caring for God’s creation,” said Lay, an environmental science senior. “It’s important to appreciate and care for the community God has given us.”

Lindsey Anderson, a health science sophomore, said she enjoys taking care of CBU.

“Our campus is beautiful, so why not help it,” said Anderson. “It’s better not only for the campus but the environment.”

The Arbor Day Foundation recently recognized CBU as a 2018 Tree Campus USA. It was the fourth such recognition in as many years.

 

CBU Cheer wins unprecedented 6th-straight national title

The cheer team at California Baptist University won its sixth consecutive National Cheerleaders Association Championship at Daytona Beach, Florida, on April 6. The Lancers have not lost in team competition since 2013.

Read the full story here.

 

 

 

 

 

New endowed professorship for School of Christian Ministries

The School of Christian Ministries at California Baptist University hosted a dedication ceremony on April 5 for its first $1 million endowed professorship that will be named after the late Dr. Glen and Alene Paden.

Glen Paden served as the California Baptist Foundation president from 1981 to 1997. Prior to his work at the foundation, Glen Paden was the assistant executive director of the California Southern Baptist Convention. He was also a pastor at several churches earlier in his ministry. He received his bachelor’s from (then) California Baptist College and an honorary doctorate from CBU. Alene, Glen’s wife of 67 years, served alongside her husband in various ministry roles. She was also an educator. The couple had five daughters.

Dr. Chris Morgan, dean of the School of Christian Ministries at CBU, said it was fitting to name the professorship after Glen and Alene Paden.

“The couple was a great example of faithful servants for God’s Kingdom, and they were a blessing to many of us at CBU,” Morgan said.

Several members of the Paden family were on hand for the dedication of the new professorship at CBU.

Joey Logan, grandson, spoke about his grandparents’ fond memories of CBU.

“My grandparents both loved CBU deeply,” said Logan, an alumnus and assistant athletic director for business operations at CBU. “When I was in school here at CBU, [my granddad] would call me weekly and most of the time he would ask, ‘What is going on at CBU? What is [the CBU president] up to? What new buildings are going up?’”

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, said that students should take inspiration from Glen’s and Alene’s faithful Christian walks. Ellis encouraged students to seize the “baton” from them and live a purpose-filled life.

Since 2017, the School of Christian Ministries has received $7.4 million in endowment commitments. The donations come from the SoCal Baptist Ministries, a nonprofit organization that offers grants to California Southern Baptist churches and ministries; the Baptist Foundation of California; an anonymous donor; and the CBU Board of Trustees Endowment Match program. Part of these donations will fund the Dr. Glen and Alene Paden professorship.

Philip Kell, president of the Baptist Foundation of California, addressed his organization’s trust in CBU training up the next generation of spiritual leaders.

“This is the university committed to the Great Commission, and we are excited to be a part of helping you do the work of God,” Kell said.

 

Biblical scholar describes the traits of a faithful pastor

Being a pastor means more than just proclaiming the Bible, Dr. Ray Van Neste told a California Baptist University audience on April 5. It also includes tending to, caring for and protecting the congregation, he said.

Van Neste presented “A Portrait of a Faithful Pastor” as part of CBU’s School of Christian Ministries Lecture Series.

“Pastors who are here today, you have been called to be the guardian of souls,” Van Neste said. “Young men who are called to pastor, that is what you’re training to do.”

Van Neste is a professor of biblical studies at Union University and a director at the university’s R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies. He has also published numerous books and scholarly essays on topics such as biblical studies, pastoral ministry and church history.

“God, at the price of his own blood, has purchased people from every nation, tribe and tongue. Then when He sets you up to pastor a people, He has taken a portion of that group and entrusted them to your care and said to you, ‘Bring them home safely,’” Van Neste said.

To do this task properly, pastors must give themselves fully to God, to the Bible and to His people, Van Neste declared.

Van Neste, expounding on II Timothy 2:14-26, addressed the pitfalls pastors will need to avoid in their ministry.

“The tricky thing is, pleasing God is very often at odds with pleasing people,” Van Neste said. “We’re made to desire the love of other people and part of what sin is, is the twisting of what is right. So we crave the praise of man and that will lead you down a dead-end road.”

Pastors need to remember that the Bible is powerful and it requires work and effort to understand it, Van Neste said. Pastors also need to be kind to all people and be patient when wronged, he added.

“We must love the people of God,” Van Neste said. “Love for your people will guard your heart from arrogance. Love will compel you to watch over their souls and not be content with simply filling the pulpit. Love will cause you to labor hard and impart not only a message but your life. Love will cause you to speak the word boldly to them.”

 

Family Updates

Dr. Daniel Prather, professor of aviation science, and six aviation science students held an exhibit at the Women in Aviation conference held in Reno, Nevada, March 22-24. Their exhibit promoted the aviation science programs to prospective students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Juliann Perdue, professor of nursing, presented at the 2018 American Nursing Association Quality and Innovation Conference in Orlando, Florida, March 21-23. The poster presentation was titled Animal-assisted interventions in a prelicensure nursing program: Innovative patient-centered care.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ed Garrett, associate professor of sports management for Online and Professional Studies, was the keynote speaker for a sports medicine seminar at the University of La Verne on March 31. He spoke on the growing field of sport psychology. 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, associate professor of civil engineering, received the award for Outstanding Faculty Advisor for 2017 from the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) Region 9 in San Francisco on March 23. ASCE Region 9 encompasses the state of California.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Candace Vickers, associate professor of communication disorders, received the Outstanding Leadership award by California Speech Language Hearing Association (CSHA) District 10 at the annual CSHA Convention in Sacramento on March 23.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Namhee Kim, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders, presented research at the California Speech Hearing Association Annual Convention in Sacramento on March 23. Her poster was titled Cross-cultural Study of the Role of Adult Language Behaviors in Child Vocalization.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Melissa Wigginton, associate professor of health science, made a presentation at the Society for Public Health Education conference in Columbus, Ohio, on April 4. The presentation was titled Social and Behavioral Predictors of Diabetes Self-Management Education in the U.S. Population.

 

 

 

 

Victoria Brodie, visiting professor of public relations, presented in a virtual session at the International Organization of Social Sciences and Behavioral Research Conference on March 20. Her presentation was titled VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) Leadership Competencies in a Complex Global Environment.

 

 

 

 

Steve Morris, adjunct professor of education, presented at the National Computer Using Educators Conference in Palm Springs on March 14. The presentation was titled Less Teacher Talk…More Student Voice: Choice Boards and DOK (depth of knowledge).

 

 

 

 

Mandy Themm, adjunct professor of education, and Kipp Smith, web applications developer for Information and Technology Services, served on mission trip to Punta Gorda, Belize, March 14-23. Themm delivered 15,000 school books to local schools and held a principal training workshop. Smith helped install and extend Wi-Fi coverage throughout a summer camp.

 

 

 

 

 

Ashley Sonke, nursing student services coordinator, presented at the AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) Graduate Nursing Admissions Professionals Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 4. The title of the presentation was Not Just a Number: Getting to Know Your Applicants through Multiple Mini Interviews.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jeffrey Gage, professor of nursing, went to West Bengal, India, on Feb. 1-17 to establish nursing relationships with health ministries, supported by International Needs and HIMserve organizations. He worked with other nurses to facilitate health education in remote villages and a medical camp attended by 170 families.

 

 

 

Dr. Virgo Handojo, professor of psychology, co-authored a paper that was published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy (March 2018). The title was Adult Attachment Stability–Instability Before and After Marriage Between Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Non-IPV Women Separated from Partners During Military Duty in Indonesia.

 

 

 

Rich Simpson, registrar, and Rhonda Moll, director of program administration, both for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers annual conference in Orlando, Florida, March 25-28. Simpson presented a session titled Using Analytics to Track Non-Attending Online Students. Moll presented a poster titled Two-Year Registration: Pros & Cons. They both presented a session titled Advising Online Students by Building Relationships.

 

 

Dr. Joe Way, director of multimedia services for Information and Technology Services, successfully defended his dissertation at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, on April 13. The title of his dissertation was Producing Worship: How Might a Biblically Informed Theological Understanding Help Better Shape Praxis for Contemporary Church Technical Artists?

 

 

 

Dr. Seunghyun Chun, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, presented at the ASEE (American Society for Engineering Education) Zone IV Conference in Boulder, Colorado, on March 26. The paper, co-authored with fellow CBU faculty Dr. Mark Gordon, Dr. Xueyan Zhao, Dr. Michael Nalbandian, Dr. Mi Kyung Han and Dr. Mario Oyanader, was titled, Design Course for First-Year Students in Multiple Engineering Disciplines.

 

 

 

Student members of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Capstone Project Team—Cedrick  Nkurunziza, Yvette Quattrocchi, Bernard Uwineza, KunCheng Du—presented a poster of their research work at the Energy Storage Technologies and Applications Conference in Riverside on April 13. It was titled Peak Energy Demand Shaving System.

 

 

 

Dr. Vance Nichols, adjunct professor of education, is the head of school at Alta Loma Christian School in Rancho Cucamonga. He and the school were recognized by the city’s mayor and a San Bernardino County supervisor for partnering with the Quest for Space Project to place STEM experiments aboard the International Space Station via SpaceX missions CRS-11 and CRS-14.

 

 

 

Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering hosted the 2018 California State MATHCOUNTS competition for the first time on March 31. The event, held in the Events Center, included 169 middle school students from 53 schools. Dr. Ziliang Zhou, professor of aerospace, industrial and mechanical engineering, coordinated the event. Dr. Anthony Donaldson, dean of the College of Engineering, and Dr. Kyle Stewart, associate professor of physics, spoke at the event. Approximately 60 CBU engineering students helped with grading, proctoring and registration.

 

Lancer Athletics is offering season tickets for the 2018-19 season. The men’s basketball team won 28 games in 2017-2018 and advanced to its first-ever Elite 8. The Lancers now make the jump to Division 1. Tickets start at just $99 for the upcoming season. Go to www.cbulancers.com/seasonticketdeposits.

 

 

 

The Office of Mobilization is holding a blood drive fundraiser for the ISP teams going overseas this summer. Every donation earns Mobilization $15. Appointments may be made for April 19 and April 20.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CBU students pack hundreds of food boxes for families in need

Hundreds of students gathered at Stamps Courtyard at California Baptist University to pack more than 500 boxes of food for needy families on April 5. Compassion Ministries in the Office of Spiritual Life at CBU organized the event to aid the Children’s Hunger Fund.

The hunger fund is a gospel-centered mercy ministry that provides balanced food options for families across America and throughout the world. The group distributes the food through churches to help bridge relationships with families and their local church. The boxes included non-perishable food items such as beans, oatmeal, pasta and canned vegetables. Each box contained enough food to feed a family for a week.

Julie Dobbins, director of Compassion and Women’s Ministries at CBU, said partnering with Children’s Hunger Fund helps meet people’s physical needs.

“It is an amazing opportunity for students to be a part of helping families by giving their time to pack a box and pray for the family who will receive it,” Dobbins said.

Giovanna Dinata, a political science freshman, said she appreciates that CBU offers various opportunities to serve the community.

“It’s fun and it impacts other people,” said Dinata of the packing event. “I can help out and know that people are actually going to use these items and I got to be a little part of that.”

Danyella Wilder, a journalism junior, said events like this help remind her to think of the needs of others.

“We’re so focused on our needs as students, but this helps us to remember that whole families need the love of Christ and we can show that by packing a box,” Wilder said.

 

CBU professor to participate in Civil War history seminar

Dr. Kenya Davis-Hayes, associate professor of history at California Baptist University, was selected to participate in a national seminar on the topic of “The Civil War and American Memory.”

The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History choose Davis-Haye as one of 25 faculty members nationwide to participate in a seminar June 10–14, at Yale University.

Seminar participants will assess the historical memory of the Civil War in addition to addressing the recent and current crises and debates over Civil War monuments and symbols.

Davis-Hayes said she feels honored to represent CBU at the seminar.

“The Civil War is still so relevant within people’s communities and family histories both across the nation and within the church,” Davis-Hayes said. “Gaining a deeper understanding of the way the Civil War is remembered and still celebrated could assist in both spiritual healing, as well as intellectual understanding.”

Rickhard Ekman, president of CIC, said the seminar’s topic is a relevant one.

“Strengthening the teaching of American history at colleges and universities is of critical importance to maintaining informed citizen participation in a democracy. The Civil War has been used and misused to bolster contemporary arguments about conflict resolution, race and the role of America in the world,” Ekman said. “Participants in the seminar will be better prepared to teach a new generation of students how to understand major social and political issues of today in light of history, the different perspectives in different eras and recent debates over Civil War monuments and symbols.

“We believe that Dr. Davis-Hayes will play a strong role in the seminar,” Ekman said.

 

Student artists recognized at CBU Gallery awards ceremony

The Gallery at California Baptist University hosted a closing reception for the sixth annual Honors Exhibit on March 28 that featured an awards ceremony.

Visual arts faculty selected the artwork, featuring mixed media, paintings, drawings and sculptures, which were produced in visual arts courses and displayed at the exhibit. While the works were from the visual arts courses, students from a variety of majors were represented in the exhibition.

The awards ceremony highlighted excellence within the students’ work.

Gloriana Sandoval, a visual arts senior, was awarded the Best Overall Artist for several of her drawings and paintings.

“It was a shock and something that I wasn’t expecting,” said Sandoval when she heard her name announced for the award. “I feel honored and encouraged; it validated that I’m doing good work.”

Hannah Yokoo, a visual arts senior, won the People’s Choice Award for a variety of her art projects.

“All the hard work that I put into my work really paid off,” Yokoo said. “I have a good circle of people around me who support me and appreciate my work.

“The CBU community is helping me to improve as an artist.”

2018 student awards recipients:
Best Design: Christina Izaguirre
Best Mixed Media: Celina Montengro
Best Drawing: Lauren Gill
Best Ceramics: Andrea Baugh
Best Painting: Celia Hinzman
People’s Choice Award: Hannah Yokoo
Best Overall Artist, Faculty Choice: Gloriana Sandoval

 

Pastor Greg Laurie to students: Walk consistently with God

Believers need to be in sync with God in order to walk with Him, Greg Laurie told a chapel audience at California Baptist University on March 29.

“The secret to the Christian life is long obedience in the same direction,” Laurie said. “If you want a relationship with God, you have to get up every day and read the Bible, be an active part of a church and you need to have a prayer life.”

Laurie is the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside. He is also the featured speaker of the Harvest Crusades and the author of more than 70 books.

Laurie expounded on Hebrews 11:5-6 (NASB): “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

Enoch walked with God consistently, Laurie said.

“The growth in the Christian life is not overnight. There’s no shortcuts, there’s not an end run around it,” Laurie said. “It’s just walking with the Lord each and every day. That’s hard in American culture because we like things fast and convenient.”

Additionally, Enoch was a witness for God and had a testimony, Laurie said.

“Everyone one of us has a testimony. It’s a good one or it’s a bad one, but we have one. People evaluate what we believe by the way that we live,” Laurie explained. “As followers of Jesus we want to look for opportunities to engage people in conversations about how to have a relationship with God.”

Christians also need to put their faith into action, Laurie said.

“Faith does things. Faith is not meant to be put in a display case and admired,” Laurie said. “It’s meant to be used and applied and put through its paces.”

Laurie said that a person’s actions today help to determine their future.

“You’re establishing the course of your life right now,” Laurie said. “The end of your life is determined by the beginning. You’re establishing habit patterns that you will build on in the years to come.”

 

CBU Athletics claim No. 1 spot in Learfield Cup Standings

In its final season competing in the NCAA Division II, California Baptist University Athletic teams are going out with a bang. A historic fall season combined with a productive winter season have jolted the Lancers to the top of the NCAA Division II Learfield Director’s Cup winter standings.

The No. 1 seeding represents the first time CBU has claimed the top position. CBU currently leads all 240 schools who have registered a point in Learfield’s D-II standings with 614.50 total points.

Read the full story here.

 

 

 

Retired Navy captain lectures on leadership for CBU audience

Individuals need to have a sense of purpose and good leaders help impart that, retired Capt. Gus Gusentine told ROTC leaders and cadets at California Baptist University on March 28.

“You have to tell them as a commander, ‘you matter to my organization, you matter to my mission,’” Gusentine said. “If they don’t have that, your organization will break. Your capacity to complete a mission will dissolve.”

Gusentine spent 28 years in the U.S. Navy, which included leadership roles in special operations. He served in more 30 countries, working with senior U.S. and foreign officials. Gusentine spoke to various classes, student leadership groups and university administration at CBU throughout the week as part of the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow program sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges.

The world is changing through technology, climate and globalization, Gusentine said. Future leaders will need to understand the big picture and understand how everything is connected, he added.

“You will be faced leading men and women in tough and challenging circumstances,” Gusentine said.

Good leaders also are scholars of their craft and try to impart a sense of value to everybody in their command, Gusentine said.

“The paradox about taking command is that it’s no longer about you,” Gusentine said. “It’s about your organization and their success. It’s about your people. That’s how you command successfully.”

Gusentine encouraged the cadets to be consistent and purposeful with each moment.

“You have to work at being a good leader. You have to learn,” Gusentine said. “Your reputation is built early. Every day we teach people what to expect from us.”

 

CBU alumna hosts leadership training for Costa Rican officials

Candace Gruber (’93) sees leadership training as an opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission calling she became familiar with at California Baptist University. On March 11-15, Gruber and a team of more than 250 certified coaches from the Maxwell Leadership Foundation participated in a national leadership education project known as “Transforming Costa Rica.”

The Maxwell foundation is a nonprofit organization that aims to instill leadership values and principles through seminars. President Luis Guillermo Solis of Costa Rica invited the organization to train civilian leaders, community leaders, law enforcement and others.

Gruber, a project management analyst for the University of California, Riverside, said all of the trainers paid their way to Costa Rica. Additionally, the training sessions were offered at no cost to the participants.

“I always wanted to do missional work,” Gruber said. “This was an opportunity for me to connect and serve people beyond my country.”

One training assignment that Gruber oversaw was with a police force. Costa Rica does not have a military, so police handle many of the duties that the military would normally face, Gruber explained.

The Maxwell foundation stresses living out key values and making them a foundation of an organization, Gruber said. Those values include having a positive attitude, becoming a good listener, taking responsibility for one’s actions, being committed, learning to forgive and have a light heart, and being introspective.

“They were really open and into the concepts,” Gruber said. “At the end of the session, a lot of them didn’t want to leave and they stayed around to chat about what they were learning.”

“As a leader, I’m not really teaching—more like facilitating. I’m getting my group to open up, read the material, rate themselves and also share what has worked in my life,” Gruber said.

Gruber also led a session with the mayor and other community leaders in the city of San Rafael.

“It went really well. The group was very enthusiastic. They wrote down all the values and even set up a follow-up meeting,” Gruber said.

“My observation from my time over there was that they were hungry for growth, hungry for answers.”

 

Discipleship conference challenges students to grow their faith

Scores of students from California Baptist University took spring break as an opportunity to develop their faith during the Challenge Discipleship Conference.

The Discipleship Ministries in the Office of Spiritual Life at CBU offered students a new format this year. Instead of a five-day retreat as in previous years, the office offered a two-day teaching portion. Then students had the option of signing up for a three-day opportunity to serve in San Diego or Los Angeles. Additionally, students had the option to go on a spiritual retreat.

Brian Zunigha, director of Discipleship Ministries at CBU, said the change provided students more flexibility in their spring break schedule. Additionally, it gave students an opportunity to apply some of the things they heard in the conference’s first portion in a tangible way.

“We’re really excited about immersing students into one of three tracks and seeing them grow,” Zunigha said. “We hope the tracks teach students some practical skills but also encourage them to continue serving, sharing their faith, reading and reflecting on scripture long after the week is over.”

In San Diego, the students conducted ministry outreach on college campuses and in the community. In Los Angeles, they worked with Fred Jordan Missions. The retreat was held at Point Mugu State Park and focused on developing a more intimate relationship with God. Ninety students participated in the first part of the conference, and 53 chose to participate in one of the additional tracks.

Kynce Lytle, a junior double majoring in psychology and sociology, served at the Fred Jordan Mission. Her group helped conduct chapel services, serve meals and hand out clothes.

“It was an opportunity to be hands-on and learn how to serve the homeless,” Lytle said. “I was able to see a different side of the city I grew up in, through the eyes of the homeless we were able to get to know.

“I also learned how present Jesus is in an area that has such a lack of hope.”

 

Coach Zalesky to be inducted into two wrestling hall of fames

Lennie Zalesky, Lancer wrestling head coach, will be inducted into two hall of fame classes this year—the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame on April 9 and the California Wrestling Hall of Fame on May 5.

Under Zalesky, the Lancers have a 62-41-1 record. Additionally, Zalesky has coached 30 wrestlers that have claimed All-American honors, along with seven individual national champions.

Read the full story here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Life hosts MLB Spring Training Excursion

Nearly 30 students took advantage of their spring break by attending several spring training MLB baseball games in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area from March 21-23. The Office of Community life at California Baptist University coordinated the MLB Training Excursion.

“Tons of highlights and memories were made,” said Taylor Allen, program coordinator for community life. “It was a fantastic experience for everyone, and I enjoyed watching how students bonded with each other during the trip.”

The students attended four games and got to see local teams in action—the Dodgers and Angels, in addition to the Giants, Athletics, Rockies and Royals.

Students also had the opportunity to take in baseball culture by playing catch on the field, chatting with players before the game and indulging in an array of ballpark food. The group also toured Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

 

CBU co-hosts AACC conference on mental health

California Baptist University hosted “The Struggle is Real” conference, a three-day event, aimed at addressing how mental health practitioners and church leaders can assist with mental health issues. The event was co-sponsored by the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) and ran March 22-24.

More than 300 pastors, lay counselors, mental health professionals and students registered for the event.

Dr. Jared Pingleton, vice president of professional development with AACC, said he hoped the conference will embolden the church body to address the complex mental health dilemma.

“The goal of the summit is to educate, encourage, equip and empower the church regarding their mental and relational health needs,” Pingleton said.

Speakers at the conference featured a mix of mental health professionals and pastors. Additionally, professors from CBU presented. The conference also featured workshops on topics ranging from stress and anxiety to church leadership and counseling.

The CBU professors offered insights on counseling from a Christian worldview, said Dr. Joshua Knabb, associate professor of psychology at CBU.

“CBU is excited and honored to be contributing to this important discussion on ways that we can equip churches to respond with Christ’s love to people struggling with emotional and psychological suffering in the church,” Knabb said.

 

Event encourages high schoolers to pursue health-care careers

Nearly 700 high school students from the Inland Empire spent the day at California Baptist University, gaining information on pursuing careers in the medical field on March 21. CBU hosted the event that was organized by Inland Health Professions Coalition, a nonprofit that seeks to address the growing need for health care workers in the Inland Empire.

The Health Professions Conference featured more than 50 health professionals that provided students with hands-on training activities in addition to providing career information.

Several CBU faculty were featured among the presenters. Amanda Madrid, associate professor of nursing, spoke on public health nursing; Dr. Marshare Penny, associate professor of public health, lectured on epidemiology; and Mary Ann Stahovich, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, addressed her career as a physician assistant.

“We definitely need more health care providers in our local areas,” Stahovich said. “If we can get local high school students jazzed up about considering the health care professions, I think that would be huge.”

The conference included simulation labs, which Stahovich organized with the help of CBU physician assistant graduate students. The CBU students also assisted the high school students in conducting health activities such as head, ear, nose and throat exams. Additionally, the students learned various techniques such as scrubbing.

“We’re trying to provide a chance to get a little taste of health care professions,” Stahovich said. “Is being a physician assistant for you or not? If it’s not, at CBU we have physical therapy, nursing nutrition and more. If you know you like to work with people and learn about health, there are options. There is room for everyone.”

 

CBU students explore culture in the City of Angels

More than 30 students from California Baptist University got a taste of Los Angeles culture during a day trip on March 17.

Students visited iconic places such as the Last Bookstore, Grand Central Market, The Broad museum, Amoeba music store, Farmers Market and the Griffith Observatory. Cultural and commuter programs in the Office of Community Life organized the event.

“To me, the best way to experience culture sometimes is through food, music and museum experiences,” said George Martin, director of cultural and commuter programs at CBU.  “It’s a way of experiencing the local culture that we have here in Southern California. Some students have never been to LA before.”

Sarah Hom, a psychology junior and a cultural and commuter intern, helped coordinate the trip. The outing gave her an opportunity to explore new sites, she said.

“My highlight was being able to go to Griffith Observatory for the first time and see the sunset over the LA skyline,” Hom said. “I also thought it was pretty cool to see places where Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone filmed scenes for the movie ‘La La Land.’”

The day also gave students an opportunity to connect with their peers. The group traveled by bus, giving students a chance to meet and chat. Additionally, during mealtimes, the students were instructed to pair up to make new connections.

At the markets, students had the opportunity to try a variety of cultural foods, Martin said.

“The whole purpose is for them not to end the day the same way,” Martin said. “They leave with a new perspective and appreciation for the various cultures.”

 

CBU symposium addresses mental health of young children

Nearly 200 professionals and community leaders attended a daylong symposium dedicated to learning about infant and toddler mental health issues at California Baptist University on March 16.

The School of Education at CBU along with First 5 Riverside, a county program that seeks to improve the early development of children, hosted the inaugural event. The event was geared toward providing information and resources to help individuals who work with infants, toddlers and young children. The symposium focused on the effects of early trauma and toxic stress.

Dr. Kathryn Short, program director of early childhood studies at CBU, said the event aligned with the School of Education’s Early Childhood program as it relates to clinician/practitioner aspects.

“The goal is to develop community outreach, build capacity and knowledge for the need of skill-based intervention for infant and toddler mental health,” Short said.

Short was one of the hosts of the welcome session.

“If children are tired, hungry or hurt repeatedly, they are prone to toxic stress,” Short explained at the opening session.

Additional speakers provided information on topics such as brain development, early intervention, prevention, treatment and services.

 

Kirk Cameron shares his faith journey with CBU chapel audience

“I would have never thought 30 years ago that I would be honored and privileged to talk to you students about a loving God,” said Kirk Cameron to a CBU chapel audience on March 15.

Cameron is a former child TV star who played Mike Seaver on the hit sitcom, “Growing Pains.” Since then, Cameron has starred in numerous roles including the “Left Behind” movie series and “Fireproof.”

He is also the co-creator of The Way of the Master, an organization that teaches Christians how to spread the gospel.

“I thought I had attained everything that I could at 17 years of age,” Cameron said. “At that age, every conversation that I had was on my terms.”

Cameron at the time considered himself an atheist. But through many interactions with Christians, who addressed his doubts, he said God began to get hold of his conscience.

“I began to see that I really didn’t have all the knowledge in all of the universe,” Cameron said. “There could be evidence for the existence of a God that I didn’t know about.”

Cameron recalled facing an important question: “If God is real, are you willing to ask if He is?”

“All along I thought I was the big celebrity,” Cameron said. “You had to call my agent to get a hold of me. However, I begin to see that the Creator of the universe wants us to approach Him on His terms. He is the real celebrity.”

Cameron recalled his first conversation with God at the age of 18.

“I pulled over to the side of the road in my sports car and prayed for the first time in my life. I asked God that if He is real, to please show Himself to me and to also forgive me for not thanking Him for my life. I also prayed that God would make me into the man He wanted me to become,” Cameron said.

“At that moment, God humbled me,” Cameron said. “From that point on something changed in my heart and I desired to want to live a life full of thankfulness to God.

God began changing me from the inside and gave me a faith to believe in Him and to be obedient to Him.”

 

Family Updates

The Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management and the CBU’s student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) hosted Robin Kemper, president-elect of the National ASCE, on March 2. Kemper spoke to students on Engineering the Future.

 

 

The Department of History and Government hosted the inaugural induction ceremony for the Pi Sigma Alpha chapter, the National Political Science Honor Society, on March 8. Membership requirements include having a 3.3 GPA or higher, and having completed at least 12 units in political science and at least half of the total units required for graduation. The members are Taylor Brubaker, Abby McInally, Joel Mitchell, Matthew Biernat, Mikayla Merchant, Madison Rojer, Kendal Hutchings, Justin Post and Anastasia Aguas.

 

 

 

 

Dr. David Pearson, dean of the College of Health Science, is serving his final year as chair of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Committee. As chair, he presented the Elite 90 award for the third consecutive year to CBU wrestler Nolan Kistler in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on March 9. The Elite 90 goes to the student-athlete who qualifies for the national championship tournament and holds the highest GPA across all of Division II wrestling.

 

 

 

 

 

Stefani Plummer, director of the Recreation Center, attended the 2018 National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Annual Conference and Campus Rec & Wellness Expo in Denver on March 4-7. She co-hosted the second annual Women’s Networking Luncheon and served as committee consultant and co-emcee for the Lee Wasson People of Color Social. Plummer also facilitated a time of worship for the Recreational Sports Christian Fellowship Association.

 

 

 

Mary Ann Stahovich, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, was a judge at the Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair held in Riverside on March 19. Nearly 500 students competed for both community and division level prizes. Stahovich was part of a panel of Intel International Science Fair judges that chose three projects that would be eligible for Intel International Science Fair.

 

 

 

Dr. Joshua Knabb, associate professor of psychology, and Dr. Todd Bates, professor of philosophy, presented for a symposium at the conference of Division 36 (Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) of the American Psychological Association in Riverside on March 10. The symposium was titled Christian Psychology as an Indigenous Psychology.

 

 

 

Russell L. Meek, adjunct professor of Christian Studies for Online and Professional Studies, co-authored a book. The book is titled Trajectories: A Gospel-Centered Introduction to Old Testament Theology (Pickwick Publications, 2018).

 

 

 

Dr. Frederick Pontius, professor of civil engineering and construction management, had an article published in the journal Water (March 15). The title was Treatability of a Highly-Impaired, Saline Surface Water for Potential Urban Water Use.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jason Jones, adjunct professor of education, was recognized by the Riverside County Office of Education as Principal of the Year on March 5. Jones has been principal of Arizona Middle School in Riverside for three years.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Mary Vanhoozer, adjunct professor of piano, is part of an instrumental duo called Pear Tree and Partridge, which had it debut tour March 17-21. The duo performed in an Irish concert in New Hampshire and at a recital in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Included in the program was a newly commissioned piece, “Into Bright Shadows,” composed by Dr. Joshua Rodriguez, assistant professor of music theory and composition.

 

 

 

The CBU theatre program received 18 awards from the Inland Theatre League on March 18: A Christmas Carol—Lee Lyons, professor of theatre, for Director and Set Designer; Julius Caesar—Michael Ring as Brutus, and Michael Voyu as Marc Antony; Little Shop of Horrors—Dan Robinson for Set Design, Ethan Park as Mushnik, Julie Ann Oleson as Audrey, Lisa Lyons, adjunct professor of theatre, for Director, and Ryan Lee as Seymour; Peter and the Starcatcher—Daniel Beimford as Peter, Ethan Park as Black Stache, and Lee Lyons for Set Designer; Taming of the Shrew—Ben Replogle as Hortensio, Bryan Richardson as Lucentio, Frank Mihelich for Director, Julie Ann Olsen as Katherine, Taylor Bjur as Petruchio and Tom Provenzano as Gremio.

 

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, professor of public relations and education, C.L. Lopez, adjunct professor of public relations, both for Online and Professional Studies, and Laura Acosta, associate director of the Online and Professional Studies Career Center, hosted table discussions at the Public Relations Society of America Inland Empire Chapter Young Professional luncheon in Riverside on March 21. Presentations included Crisis and Issues Management; Internships, Mentoring and Portfolios; and Linked In/Interviews.

 

 

 

Dr. Brett Provance, associate professor of humanities for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the regional meeting for the Society of Biblical Literature Pacific Coast in Fullerton on March 11. The title of the presentation was Romans 1:26-27 in Its Rhetorical Tradition.

 

 

 

The Master of Social Work Program’s Social Cinema Series screened the documentary Girl Rising on March 7 in honor of International Women’s Day. The film addressed the movement for the global education of girls in developing countries. Dr. Satara Armstrong, professor of social work, facilitated the event that included a discussion of the economic empowerment of women and girls in developing countries via education.

 

 

Joe Way, director of multimedia services in Information and Technology Services, presented at Panasonic’s 2018 Higher Education Advisory Council in Osaka, Japan, March 12-16. He presented on the AV innovations being integrated into the new College of Engineering building and discussed the needs of the greater higher ed community.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Marc Weniger, associate professor of business, and Dr. Joel Bigley, assistant professor of management, presented at the 31st NASBITE (National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators) International conference in Baltimore on March 19-23. The title was Top 5 Cultural Days Sources for Global Market and Supply Chain Success. The interactive presentation introduced professionals to tools that would help them understand cultures where they intend to do business.

 

 

 

Dr. Seung-Jae Kim, professor of bioengineering, co-authored a paper that was published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (March 26). The title was Walking Speed Influences the Effects of Implicit Visual Feedback Distortion on Modulation of Gait Symmetry.

 

 

 

Danielle Wood, One Stop Student Service Advisor for Online and Professional Studies, was named employee of the month for April. The nomination form included the following statements: “Danielle is able to accomplish a significant amount of work in a short amount of time without sacrificing precision in her work. She provides excellent customer service to our students by always being available to them, being eager to answer their questions and provide assistance, and by letting each student feel he/she is the most important person to her at that moment in time. She is kind, resourceful, and is always willing to help others in need.”

 

 

Michelle Gray, department secretary for biological sciences, and her husband, Thomas, welcomed a son on March 14. Nathaniel Alexander Gray weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 21 inches.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CBU students win awards at a regional advertising event

Students from California Baptist University combined to win 15 awards including Best of Show and the Judges Awards for the American Advertising Awards Inland Empire competition held on March 9.

Jessica Thomas, a double major in photography and graphic design major, earned Best of Show for her fictional eyeglass marketing campaign.

Jonathan Logerstedt (’17), a CBU alumnus, landed the Judges Award for an advertising comic strip that encourages designers to move beyond “design monsters.”  CBU students also captured four Gold Awards.

The student competition drew more than 100 entries from seven colleges or universities. The Inland Empire competition is part of the national American Advertising Awards, the world’s largest advertising competition. Winners in the local competitions move on to compete in one of 15 district competitions for the right to make it to the national finals.

 

Men’s basketball claims championship, advances to Elite Eight

The men’s basketball team at California Baptist University claimed its first NCAA Division II West Region Championship with its 80-76 victory over No. 1 seed Western Oregon.

The Lancers gave the Wolves their first defeat on their home court this year and also snapped their 24-game winning streak. The Lancers improved to 28-5 on the year and advance to the Elite Eight tournament, scheduled for March 20-24 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Kalidou Diouf led the Lancers with 23 points, while Jordan Heading chipped in with 15 points. CBU out-rebounded the Wolves 42-to-30 with Diouf and Heading each grabbing seven boards on the night. The duo was named to the All-West tournament team, with Diouf receiving the Most Outstanding Player honors.

“This was our best performance of the year and we knew that it would take that tonight,” said Rick Croy, head coach of CBU at the post-game press conference. “We have a united university, and we wanted to represent that. We also have a group of guys that are extremely blessed to represent CBU.”

In the first round of the tournament, the Lancers will face Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina, on March 20.

 

CBU faculty, students sew hope for Haiti children

More than 25 sewing machines whirred and hummed as women stitched fabric, sequins, buttons and thread into unique patterns to create dresses for young girls in Haiti.

Each dress made was embroidered with the phrase “Ke Bondye beni ou,” which translates to “May God bless you” in Haitian Creole. Fifty dresses were created at the event, all of which will be shipped to Haitian ministries that will hand-deliver the gifts.

Several students and faculty from California Baptist University, along with other volunteers participated in the event called, Sewing Hope for Haiti that was held at The Grove Community church in Riverside on March 10.

Jan Stanfield, assistant professor of social work at CBU, and Dr. Darla Donaldson, assistant professor of finance and social entrepreneurship at CBU, organized the event in conjunction with The Grove.

Stanfield said the project’s concept was ignited when she became motived to take action after watching a news profile that featured a 98-year-old woman who said it was her goal to make dresses for girls in Africa.

“I felt a prick from God saying, ‘If this woman, at 98, can do something so magnificent, surely more can be asked of you Jan,’” Stanfield said.

Standfield started out by sewing dresses with her sister. The two would then ship their finished product to different Haitian ministries. The sewing event allowed Stanfield to work with her home church family and fellow Lancers to produce more dresses in a shorter period.

Kimille Richardson, a counseling psychology and family therapy graduate student at CBU, was one of the first to show up with her sewing machine in hand.

“I honestly feel like it’s just a complete blessing to be able to give back to someone that you don’t even know, someone that will actually benefit from something that we can take for granted,” Richardson said. “I think that a part of our many blessings is having the opportunity to give to people that are less fortunate than us.”

 

Crazies bring excitement and energy to CBU basketball games

As the California Baptist University men’s basketball team punched their first ticket to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight,  a special group of “Crazies” back home in the CBU Events Center was encouraging their team to victory.

The Sweet 16 playoff match-up in Monmouth, Oregon, was a road game for the Lancers and was streamed live in the Events Center. While the team was hundreds of miles away, it did not stop head Crazy Stephen Bossert and his squad of Crazies from treating the special evening like any home game.

“Being a Crazie comes with responsibility,” Bossert said.

Throughout the basketball season, the group recruits the university’s community to attend and support the Lancers by walking throughout campus, handing out flyers and inviting people to the games. Additionally, Crazies commit to prepping hours before games—from coordinating face paint to wearing similar CBU gear. While the game is underway, they help with tasks such as selecting individuals to participate in the halftime mini-games and throwing CBU shirts to the crowds.

The Crazies also have the responsibility of keeping CBU Athletic traditions alive. There is the inspirational “I believe we will win” chant and the high energy “CBU What?” cry that gets the crowd to vigorously yell out CBU multiple times. The Crazies also have introduced the crowd to the university’s new fight song, “Lance Up, CBU!”

CBU Crazies, by their own accounts, are some of the most dedicated fans in NCAA sports. Many Crazies, attend the school’s basketball games with the goal of pumping enthusiasm into the Events Center from tip-off to finish.

“We hype the team up, let them know that we are there to support them, and we believe that does a lot for the players,” Bossert said. “We like to think we bring the energy when the team might be running out.”

Their enthusiasm seems to be rubbing off. This past 2017-18 inaugural season in the Events Center, CBU surpassed the 50,000 combined attendance mark for both men’s and women’s basketball. The number represents the second highest attendance in all of D-II.

Bossert never had any intention of becoming head Crazie, a part-time position within the Athletics department. However, Bossert said he decided to apply for the position the more he envisioned pumping up the CBU crowds and helping the Events Center audiences cheer on their teams to success.

“This year we started a new tradition, which is my favorite, and it is the pre-game Lancer Jam,” said Bossert, of the pre-game party that features a festival-like atmosphere. “It’s a fun way to help get the crowd excited for the game. It’s just a huge party.”

 

Daxton Gordon wins a D-II wrestling championship

For the second consecutive year, men’s wrestling at California Baptist University claimed an individual NCAA Division II championship. Daxton Gordon became the third grappler in Lancer history to win a D-II title.

The men’s squad also had a strong showing at the championships, earning a third-place finish.

Read the full story here.

 

 

 

Wellness Center moves to a new location

The Wellness Center at California Baptist University has a new home. The center has relocated from Lancer Plaza off Diana Avenue to 3626 Monroe St., adjacent to the CBU College of Health Science campus.

The location is part of the Riverside Christian Schools (RCS) campus that CBU purchased in June 2013. The building was leased back to RCS, which operated a preschool there until June 2017.

The Wellness Center is home to both the Counseling Center and the Health Center. The previous center, which measured 5,415 square feet, is being demolished to make room for a new multi-level, 1,400-space parking garage and the expansion of the campus recreation and athletic performance centers.

The new facility totals 7,080 square feet, providing nearly one-third more space for offices and counseling rooms. The location also provides additional parking for CBU community members who use the services of the Wellness Center.

“Overall, it is a much more pleasant and larger space. It will provide a much better experience for all involved,” said Kent Dacus, vice president for Enrollment and Student Services.

The Counseling Center staff predicts demand for services will increase as enrollment at CBU grows and the stigma of counseling decreases, said Jeff Biddle, director of the Counseling Center.

“The hope and healing that we’re offering is trying to match the expansion of the student body,” Biddle said.

The Counseling Center staff held a prayer dedication for the new location on Feb. 2. Staff members prayed over each area of the new building and wrote prayers and blessings on the concrete floor for the employees and clients.

“We will pray for our clients, we will pray for each other and we will praise the fact that God is going to do miraculous things in this place,” Biddle said at the dedication.

 

Phil Wickham performs at Campus Night

Contemporary Christian musician, singer and songwriter Phil Wickham performed a variety of worship hits for a California Baptist University audience on March 7.

Wickham’s concert, held in the Van Dyne Gym, was part of Community Life’s Campus Night, an event geared to bringing CBU students together to grow in their spiritual journeys. An estimated 900 students attended the performance with many lining up hours before the event in hopes of securing a front-row seat.

Wickham, with his acoustic guitar in hand, played several of his original songs including one of his latest, “Till I Found You.”

“Let me tell you, my favorite part of the concert was Phil’s new song. I absolutely loved it… I just sat back and listened so I could take it all in,” said Cassidy Mulder, a biology senior.

Kassandra Medrano, a criminal justice senior, said she enjoyed the atmosphere of the event.

“It was great to see students being able to come together to enjoy the music and worship freely,” Medrano said. “Also, I enjoyed listening to Phil. He has such a great voice and he can do so much with it.”

For Rachel London, a journalism junior, watching Wickham perform on stage brought back childhood memories.

“I’ve followed Phil Wickham since I was in elementary school. It was super nostalgic,” London said.

 

Campus publications earn a record number of awards

California Baptist University campus publications—The Banner newspaper and Pursuit magazine—were awarded 22 distinctions by the California College Media Association (CCMA). The number of awards represents a record high for CBU.

Winners were announced at the CCMA awards banquet at the Hyatt Regency in Long Beach, California, on March 3. All Californian institutions of higher education are eligible to enter the CCMA competition from community colleges to mid-range enrollment universities (fewer than 10,000 students) to larger private and state schools (more than 10,000 students). Hundreds of submissions are received across 45 entry categories.

First place awards for CBU included Best Magazine for the fall 2017 issue of Pursuit. Additionally, the Banner won Best Overall Newspaper Design, Best Photo Series for coverage of Spiritual Life’s Hurricane Harvey relief trip and Best Breaking News Story for the coverage of the Las Vegas shooting impact on the Inland Empire. CBU campus publications also earned awards in categories such as page design, infographics, feature writing, sports photography, social media use and magazine cover design.

“These well-deserved awards for our students’ work demonstrate the continuing growth of our program,” said Dr. Michael Chute, director of the journalism and new media and public relations program at CBU. “It is exciting to see CBU students compete favorably against student-journalists in both private and public universities in California. They serve the university well, and I’m glad the judges awarded their hard work with awards in multiple categories.”

Kaitlynn Labit, a senior journalism and new media major and Banner editor-in-chief, won or shared credit for the most awards by a CBU student, taking home six honors. Juliana Bontrager, graphic design and visual experience senior and Banner design editor, was close behind, earning five awards for her outstanding visual arts contributions.

 

God creates diversity for His glory, chapel speaker stresses

The devil wants to divide people using racial differences and tensions, but God desires Christians to love all people, Miles McPherson told a chapel audience at California Baptist University on March 6.

“The devil has caused us to be divided and to look at each other with hate and suspicion, but the love of God can unite us together,” McPherson said.

McPherson, a former NFL player with the San Diego Chargers, now is the pastor of Rock Church in San Diego. He expounded on Jesus’ commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39, NASB).

“God made all the shades in this room for His glory,” McPherson said. “The Spirit of God wants to make a mosaic of colors and shades.”

McPherson explained that people tend to associate with others based on similarities, such as race, gender or a common interest.  When individuals are more comfortable, they tend to be more patient, give the benefit of the doubt more and are more willing to help those in their in-group.

McPherson encouraged students to be aware of in-group bias that can emerge and instead focus on what the Spirit is prompting in any given situation.

“Pay attention when you’re in a room and how you are extending in-group bias or in-group love to the people who are not like you,” McPherson said. “Let the Holy Spirit reveal to you that you give in-group love to everybody in your world.”

McPherson urged his audience to bring unity to the country.

“I want to challenge you to see the color, the ethnicity that God gave every single person for His glory and honor it and respect it and acknowledge it,” McPherson said.

 

CBU basketball shatters attendance records

California Baptist University has announced it surpassed 50,000 attendees during the inaugural season in the state-of-the-art Events Center. According to the NCAA Division II figures released this week, CBU men’s basketball finished second in Division II in total home attendance and fifth in average home attendance.

“We simply could not have imagined the response we received from the community,” said Dr. Micah Parker, director of Athletics. “We had no way to predict this type of attendance. We sold out our floor seats within a week when they went on sale last fall, so we were thinking that we were on the right track.”

The Lancers opened the basketball season with a home win over California State University, Dominguez Hills in front of a near-capacity crowd of 5,050. The game was also broadcast on FOX Sports Prime Ticket. The Lancers tripled men’s basketball attendance from 2016-17 to 2017-18 and averaged 2,318 fans, while compiling an impressive 19-2 record at the Events Center. CBU student attendance at home games more than doubled from previous years, rising to an average of 606 per game when classes are in session. CBU’s women’s basketball attendance topped out at 10,142 for a 20-percent increase over the previous year.

“This is really a credit to our men’s and women’s teams, the 794 season ticket holders, students, faculty, the community and groups who came out and supported us all season long,” Parker said. “We put a huge emphasis on in-game fan engagement and additional in-venue amenities that our fans really enjoyed.”

With the 2018 home basketball season over, CBU will focus on the transition to NCAA D-I play in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in the fall.

“Our goal is to grow our fan base within the Inland Empire. Our new campaign is ‘The Rise to DI’, and we’re excited about that,” Parker said. “It’s all about providing family friendly entertainment, connecting with our fans, students and season ticket holders.”

 

Students challenged to be innovative in agricultural industry

A healthy and thriving agricultural industry is necessary to meet the demand of rising human consumption, Dr. Joseph Jez told a California Baptist University audience on March 5.

Jez, a biochemist and professor at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, spoke as part of the College of Health Science Distinguished Lecture Series. Jez is also a decorated biologist, having received the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in addition to being named a Fulbright Senior Specialist Award recipient.

“Sometimes I feel like The Lorax [from Dr. Seuss], talking about plants and trying to champion them, not just as we see them now, but as they’re going to become in the not so distant future,” Jez said.

Jez lectured on the importance of sustaining a healthy agricultural industry to meet the growing human population.

Jez encouraged students to find creative ways to produce more food, fresh water and energy. The next generation is going to have to come up with the solutions to these complex problems, he said.

Jez said vegetation has inspired people since the beginning of civilization, causing them to ask questions on how nature operates and then how to use it to their advantage.

“Civilization really began once we figured out we can take seeds and plant them in a field and grow a lot more food in one place,” Jez said. “No plants, no civilization.”

 

CBU production brings Dietrich Bonhoeffer to life on stage

The theatre program at California Baptist University brought the alluring story of the late German pastor, theologian and Allied spy Dietrich Bonhoeffer to the Wallace Theatre earlier this month with “The Beams Are Creaking.”

The theatre production took audiences back to the ‘30s and ‘40s where Bonhoeffer, while heading the Confessing Church denomination, formed a resistance to the Nazi establishment. As the play developed, it depicted Bonhoeffer involvement in assassination attempts on Adolf Hitler.

Frank Mihelich, associate professor of theatre and the play’s director, said he sees Bonhoeffer as a combination of the Rev. Billy Graham and Martin Luther King Jr.

“Bonhoeffer was tremendously evangelical, but also tied into social justice,” Mihelich said.

Caleb Leal, a theatre junior, played Bonhoeffer.

“I respect Bonhoeffer as a Christian and a man,” Leal said. “He was a humble follower of Christ who didn’t let adversity stop him from doing what’s right.

Emily Feaster, a theatre junior, played Bonhoeffer’s mother. She said depicting the real-life story has been a growing experience.

“These people we are portraying were so influential and their response in the midst of the unimaginable dangers is something we can still admire and learn from,” Feaster said. “I hope this play raises questions in the minds of the audience regarding faith and what living out one’s faith should look like.”

Mihelich said with this faith-based play, he hoped students will begin to understand how they can incorporate faith into a theatre production.

“I hope the students are constantly trying to figure out how to work their faith into not just their life but their art,” Mihelich said.

Mihelich also wanted the play to encourage reflective conversation on faith for the play’s attendees.

“I want the audiences to talk about the Christian faith in a way that no matter what you believe, you feel like you belong in the conversation,” Mihelich said. “I would love if the lobby was filled with conversations about the gospel where Christians can be open about their faith and non-Christians can be open about their non-faith and nobody is wanting to run.”

  

Cheer wins seventh straight USA College Championship

The cheer team at California Baptist University added another championship to its historic run at the United Spirit Association (USA) College Championship on Feb. 26. The team has won the All-Girls Four-Year title for seven consecutive years.

Read the full story here.

 

 

 

 

 

Family Updates

Dr. Sanggon Nam, associate professor of public health, has worked as the consultant and California director of a National Institute on Aging R01 Research Project since last October. The project is looking at health issues of older immigrant populations focusing on Korean Americans.

 

 

 

Dr. Ed Garrett, associate professor of sports management for Online and Professional Studies, is creating and delivering curriculum focusing on leadership development to the Mississippi Department of Human Services. The curriculum is centered on a business sport psychology model that addresses the cognitive approach to help motivate and connect with business professionals. The first of four training sessions was conducted in February.

 

 

 

 

Beth Morabito, administrative secretary for the School of Nursing, was named employee of the month for March. The nomination form included the following statements: “Beth continues to faithfully serve the College of Nursing (CON) as the administrative secretary and key point person with the Nursing Education Consultant at the California Board of Registered Nursing. Her incredible work ethic, attention to detail, and reverence for Christ and others has directly attributed to successful Board of Registered Nursing approval visits and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accreditation visits for the CON. She is a beloved staff member of the CON who students, faculty, and staff seek out daily for her expertise and wisdom”

 

 

This year, 107 juniors and seniors at CBU were inducted into the Alpha Chi National Honor Society. Twenty-five inductees and their families attended an induction ceremony March 1. The top 10 percent of juniors and seniors are eligible to join the society.

 

 

Angelica Leon, technician in the Financial Aid Office, accompanied students Anastasia Aguas and Cynthia Morris to the AICCU (Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities) Day in the Capitol advocacy event, held Feb. 28 in Sacramento. The students, both political science majors, met with state legislators and staff to advocate the importance of Cal Grant funding for students attending private institutions such as CBU.

 

 

 

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of California Baptist University, presented a commemorative gift of framed pages containing the Great Commission from Portuguese and English Bibles to the president of Colégio Batista Mineiro in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on March 3. Ellis was invited to participate in the centennial celebration at the school founded by Southern Baptist missionaries in 1918. Colégio Batista Mineiro serves nearly 10,000 enrolled students from 6 months old through college age.

 

 

Dr. Robert LaChausse, associate professor of public health sciences, was appointed to a one-year term as the university faculty co-chair for health education and promotion practice for the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE). He will lead the development of content, topics, online education and professional opportunities of interest to SOPHE members.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Daniel Prather, professor of aviation science, taught a one-day course to attendees of the Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo in Las Vegas on Feb. 25. The course was titled Effective Leadership in Business Aviation.

 

 

 

 

Joe Way, director of multimedia services in Information and Technology Services, wrote a special edition article for Church Production Magazine (Feb. 23, 2018). It was titled Billy Graham on Technology and its Implications for Church Techs. Also, Way and CBU Multimedia Services were featured in AV Technology magazine (February/March 2018). The title was Technology Manager’s Roadmap to 4K.

 

 

Ashley Sonke, nursing student services coordinator II, was a panel member of a Holistic Admissions seminar for the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 28. Sonke presented via livestream on Best Practices: Holistic Admissions Review in Academic Nursing.

 

 

 

 

Bob Hayden, visiting professor of communication for Online and Professional Studies, participated in National Read Across America Day by reading from a selection of Dr. Seuss books to third- and sixth-graders at Woodcrest Elementary School in Riverside on March 2.

 

 

 

Dr. Dominick Sturz, associate professor of public health, collaborated with the Southern California Public Health Association in developing, hosting and moderating the Public Health Webinar Series: Talking Public Health. The topic for this session focused on environmental justice and health. The purpose of the series is to improve the field of public health through education, promotion and advocacy.

 

 

 

Dr. Teresa Hamilton, associate professor of nursing, made a presentation at the 12th Biennial Kaiser Permanente Joint Service-Academia Conference in Alta Dena, California, on Feb. 23. Her presentation was titled Preparing Students Differently.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jeffrey Gage, professor of nursing, co-authored an article in the Journal of Health Communication (Feb. 22, online). The title was “I Want to Walk with My Moko.” The Application of Social Cognitive Theory in the Creation of a Diabetes Prevention Documentary with New Zealand Māori.

 

 

 

Dr. Elaine Ahumada, professor of public administration, Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, professor of public relations, Dr. Cammy Purper, associate professor of education, and Dr. Julie Browning, professor of accounting, all for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the Advancing Women in Leadership Conference at Azusa Pacific University on March 5. The presentation was titled Work Patterns, Gender, and Job Satisfaction of Online Professors. Pearson also made a presentation titled Mentoring Model for Career Advancement.

 

 

 

Dr. Alexandra Shin, assistant professor of biology, co-authored an article published in Oncotarget (January 2018). The article was titled SIRT1 increases cardiomyocyte binucleation in the heart development.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Effat Zeidan, assistant professor of science and mathematics for Online and Professional Studies, spoke to female students in the STEM program at Terrace Hills Middle School in Grand Terrace on March 5. She spoke about what it is like to be a scientist, what it takes to be a scientist and what is the ultimate purpose behind a researcher’s work.

 

 

Dr. Heather Hamilton-Stilwell, assistant professor of journalism, had a book published. Discoveries of Medically Themed Media: Pediatric Patients and Parents’ Journeys of Sense-making (Lexington Books, December 2017) is part of Lexington’s Studies in Health Communication Series.

 

 

Dr. Natalie Winter, professor of marketing and management, spoke at Magnolia Church’s Women’s Retreat held at Thousand Pines Christian Camp in Crestline on March 2-4. The theme of the retreat was Dancing in the Rain: Learning to Rejoice Daily.

 

 

 

 

Two teams from CBU Army ROTC competed in the color guard event at the John J. Pershing Memorial Drill Competition held in Charlotte, North Carolina, on March 9. The female team placed third, and the male team placed fourth.

 

 

 

Jonathan Blair, son of Dr. Daniel Blair, assistant professor of American Sign Language, has been cast as Jesus in the Sight & Sounds production of Jesus for the 2018 season. The show is set to run through Jan. 5, 2019, at the Sight & Sounds Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

 

 

 

 

Jared Lewis, business systems analyst for Information and Technology Services, and his wife, Veronica, welcomed a daughter on Feb. 9. Hazel Leann Lewis weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 19 inches. She joins brother, River Michael Lewis, 2.5 years.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

Christians need to be peacemakers, chapel speaker says

“As you advance in your professional careers, I pray that you will be peacemakers,” Dr. Marcus “Goodie” Goodloe told a chapel audience at California Baptist University on Feb. 22.

Goodloe is the teaching pastor at Parkcrest Church in Long Beach, California. He also travels throughout the U.S., speaking on issues such as culture and leadership.

“If you are committed to living out the teachings of scripture, you will have to learn to minister to people who don’t look or act like you do,” Goodloe said.

In today’s culture, there is a sentiment that winning an argument or debate is the aim of a conversation, Goodloe said.

“However, a person who interacts with Christians should not come away feeling that they are less than a person,” Goodloe said. “Christians need to guard our speech and conduct whether in person or on social media.”

As believers, we are accepted and loved by Jesus, Goodloe said.

“In our interactions with people, they should feel the same acceptance and love that Jesus has shown us,” Goodloe said. “Everyone should feel valued by the people who have come to know their value in Christ.”

Goodloe expounded on Ephesians 4:1-3 (NASB): “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

People are made in the image of God, Goodloe said.

“We dare not devalue people that God sent his Son to die for,” Goodloe said. “Worth and value are not determined by us. There are no second-class citizens in God’s Kingdom.”

 

Spring Career Fair brings job opportunities for CBU students

One hundred and twenty organizations were on hand at California Baptist University to offer internships, part-time jobs or full-time employment at the Spring Career Fair on Feb. 21.

The number of organizations that attended was the largest yet at a career fair on the CBU campus, said Lisa Singer, associate director of employer relations.

“This is an opportunity for students to practice those soft skills and professional development that they’ve been able to learn while attaining their degree, but it’s also a great opportunity to get their face in front of an employer,” said Singer, whose job at CBU includes building relationships with companies and introducing them to CBU.

The Spring Career Fair was hosted by the Career Center and featured prominent companies such as Monster Energy Co., Pepsi Beverages Co. and Alaska Airlines/ Horizon Air.

Many companies had more than one job or internship opportunity, said Mike Bishop, senior director of the Career Center. For example, a company may have positions in sales, accounting and graphic design.

“We see an increasing confidence in our students by the employers,” Bishop said. “The employers see they’re capable and they’re qualified and have a level of commitment, character and integrity.”

Maggie Sandhu, who received in master’s degree in public administration at CBU in December, attended the fair for networking opportunities.

“The fair makes it easier for me to attend and see what is available in my local community,” Sandhu said. “I can find out what potential employers are looking for so I can make myself more attractive to them.”

The Career Fair is also an opportunity for companies and students to learn about each other, said Liz Woods, a recruiter for ESRI, a geographic information system mapping software company.

“It’s beneficial for us to learn more what the students are interested in, and the students can learn about a large employer in their area,” Woods said. “The students also can get experience putting themselves out there and introducing themselves.”

 

Believers are “trophies of grace,” chapel speaker says

The way Christians demonstrate love should reflect their redemptive story, D.A. Horton told the chapel audience at California Baptist University on Feb. 20.

“You should see new characteristics, new attributes and new ways of handling life’s situations. They should reflect the fact that the Holy Spirit lives inside of you,” 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.

Horton expounded on Colossians 3:12-13 (NASB): “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

Throughout your day, God gives you opportunities to show compassion and kindness toward roommates and classmates, Horton said.

“You need to extend compassion and grace to these individuals, because that’s exactly what God has extended to you,” Horton added. “People need compassion; they need to know that they are loved.”

Believers are also called to be humble, Horton continued.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, humility is not considering yourself at all,” Horton said. “What it means to be humble is that I’m not going to force my agenda. I’m going to put the need of somebody else before my need in this moment.”

The Apostle Paul, writing in Colossians, urges believers to bear with one another and forgive each other, just as the Lord forgave, Horton said.

“This means to put up with others and love them through difficult times,” Horton said. “If during those times, they sin against us, we are to forgive. That is what Jesus Christ did for us.”

By granting salvation—a gift people do not deserve—God makes them “trophies of grace,” Horton said.

“That’s what it looks like to be God’s holy ones.” Horton said. “Jesus did all the work. Once He saved us, He puts us on display so that the world will look at the way we handle conflict, at the way we handle our life and say, ‘tell me the story of how you became this trophy of grace.’”

 

CBU hosts young math enthusiasts in competition

More than 150 middle school students from the Riverside and San Bernardino counties gathered at California Baptist University to compete in the regional MATHCOUNTS competition on Feb. 17.

The Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering at CBU has hosted the competition since 2009. Approximately 50 engineering students at CBU assisted in the event with registration, proctoring and grading. MATHCOUNTS holds competitions across the nation for students in grades 6–8. Students can compete as individuals or on teams to solve various math problems in a series of timed rounds.

“MATHCOUNTS is a good way to guide middle school students to STEM-related careers,” said Dr. Ziliang Zhou, professor of aerospace, industrial and mechanical engineering at CBU.

CBU’s College of Engineering awards $10,000 scholarships ($2,500 per year) to top performers if they are accepted into a CBU engineering program as a full-time student.

The top five finishers in the individual and team categories will move on to compete at a state competition. For the first time, CBU will host the Southern California MATHCOUNTS state competition on March 31.

 

CBU swimming and diving teams sweep RMAC championships

The Lancer men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams swept the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships in Grand Junction, Colorado, on Feb. 17. The women’s team has won the RMAC championships for five straight years while the men’s squad won its second title in three years.

Read full women’s recap here.

Read full men’s recap here.

 

 

 

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences honors agencies

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at California Baptist University honored more than 40 agencies—ranging from school districts to nonprofits organizations— at its annual Counseling Psychology Practicum Luncheon on Feb. 16.

“Our program is very successful and has a large presence in the community, but the bottom line is we couldn’t do the work that we do without you,” Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, told agency representatives.

Students enrolled in the counseling psychology program are required to obtain 400 practicum hours.

Gustafson said more than a hundred sites in the Southern California region offer opportunities for CBU students to earn practicum hours in addition to receiving supervision and training.

Matt Anderson, a counseling therapist supervisor from Val Verde Unified School District in Perris, California, said CBU students have a solid reputation in the community.

“We like to recruit from CBU to get the [Val Verde] kids the services that they need,” Anderson said. “The CBU students are teachable and ready to take on whatever we give them.”

Mischa Routon, associate professor of psychology, said the luncheon also provided CBU students an opportunity to network.

“The event is an introduction for students and exposes them to the professional world of counseling psychology,” Routon said.

The counseling psychology graduate program at CBU is in its 35th year.

 

Let Jesus’ teachings guide social responsibility, speaker advises

“Jesus has called us to love one another, period,” Antonio Mejico Jr. told a California Baptist University audience on Feb. 15.

Mejico, a director at Olive Crest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing child abuse, spoke at the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ Culture and Justice Lecture Series.

Mejico expanded on John 13:35 (NASB): “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

“The commandment to love one another comes with a responsibility,” Mejico said. “I believe Jesus’ commandment makes us responsible to love, serve and heal our communities.”

Jesus’ command includes serving those who have been hurt and have hurt others.

“One of the things I appreciate about CBU is that you guys walk that walk,” Mejico said to the students in attendance. “I know of some [master of social work] students who are serving folks who are incarcerated and providing parenting classes to them.”

In loving one another and doing the best we can at it, we will affect the lives of others and in the process begin to transform the community around us, Mejico added.

“We need to hone the gifts that we have been given by God to ultimately love one another,” Mejico said.

Mejico encouraged students to pursue a calling that would allow them to use their talents and gifting to serve others.

 

Businessman urges students to pursue God in life’s dreams

People’s dreams can come true if they align themselves with God’s will, Garner Holt, an entrepreneur, told students at California Baptist University on Feb. 13.

Holt spoke as part of the Faith & Enterprise lecture series hosted by the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business. Holt is the founder of Garner Holt Productions, a company that creates animatronic figures, special effects, exhibits and interactive displays.

After a childhood trip to Disneyland, Holt said he was inspired by the way the theme park brought animated characters to life. He went on to learn how to build his own animatronics in his backyard at a young age. Forty years after founding his business, his creative concepts are found in 32 countries and six continents and he has landed contracts with companies such as Walt Disney Co., Universal Studios, FAO Schwarz and Chuck E. Cheese’s.

“Don’t let money be your god, don’t let money be why you do business,” Holt said.

Holt said his life is a testament to never giving up on one’s dreams and having faith that God would orchestrate his career path.

“Forty years later I achieved my dreams,” Holt said.

 

Thousands of Lancers attend 2018 homecoming celebration

Homecoming weekend at California Baptist University drew an estimated 5,000 alumni and friends to campus on Feb. 9-10.

Friday evening, the annual Homecoming weekend at California Baptist University drew an estimated 5,000 alumni and friends to campus on Feb. 9-10. Alumni Awards Dinner recognized several alumni: Dr. Gary Collins, recipient of the Lancer Medal for Lifetime Achievement Award; Gail Ronveaux and her late husband, Roy (’79, ’96), recipients of the Alumni Service Award; Dr. Kristen Ferguson (’09) recipient of the Distinguished Service in Christian Ministry Award; Dr. Dean and Sheryl Hane, recipients of the Alumni Philanthropy Award; Trevor Hoehne (’05), Alumnus of the Year recipient; and Emmanuel Karemera (’10), Young Alumni Achievement Award recipient.

On Saturday, the festivities shifted outside with a Homecoming Celebration featuring games, live music, food, academic displays and activities for the whole family.

Additionally, there was a homecoming pregame party at the Recreation Center before the men’s and women’s basketball games. Both teams had blowout victories over Biola University with the men’s team winning 96-59 and the women’s team capturing an 80-35 victory. There was a combined attendance of more than 6,000 for both games.

“Homecoming Weekend included alumni attending from all over the country who gathered to share memories, celebrate reunions, engage with current students, and cheer both men’s and women’s basketball teams to victory,” said Josh Moss, director of alumni and parent relations at CBU. “We’re always happy when Lancers come home.”

 

Artistic event celebrates Black History Month at CBU

Students at California Baptist University came together to celebrate Black History Month with an evening featuring artistic performances at the Dream Big event on Feb. 8. The United Club and Community Life at CBU hosted the event.

The evening opened with a show of solidarity as students linked arms and paused to reflect on the significant contributions to society by African Americans.

George Martin, director of cultural and commuter programs, said the event offered students an opportunity to reflect on how African American culture has influenced students’ lives. For instance, students performed their own songs, sang cultural songs, played worship music or read poetry.

Danyella Atkinson-Wilder, a student intern for cultural and commuter programs, said she was impressed with the confidence students demonstrated in expressing themselves.

“Students were able to express their unique perspective and do it in their own way,” Wilder said.

 

Family Updates

Dr. Michelle Nielsen Hernandez, associate professor of mathematics, has passed three exams toward reaching associate status through the Society of Actuaries. Five actuarial examinations are required to attain associate status. Actuarial designations, based on educational achievement, convey a certain professional standing.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Josh Rodriquez, assistant professor of music theory and composition, composed a violin chamber concerto that premiered at University of California, Los Angeles, on Jan. 30. The title of the concerto was Contra spem spero.

 

 

 

Dr. Derek Updegraff, associate professor of English and creative writing, published two short stories. Husky appeared in the spring 2018 issue of The Minnesota Review (Duke University Press). Audition appeared in the spring 2018 issue of The Southampton Review (Stony Brook University). He also had a flash fiction piece A Boy and His Mother named a finalist in The Conium Review 2017 Flash Fiction Contest. Flash fiction is a complete story in 500 words or fewer.

 

 

 

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, professor of public relations for Online and Professional Studies, presented a workshop at Scripps College for student writers of the student publication in Claremont on Feb. 11. The workshop’s title was Journalistic News and Feature Writing Basics.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, co-presented at the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities International Forum in Dallas on Feb. 1. The title was Community Service and Global Engagement: Historic Foundations, Contemporary Applications.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Robert Shields, assistant dean of curriculum development for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the College of Education Spring 2018 Colloquium Series at California State University, Fullerton on Feb. 7. The title was A phenomenological study: African American male STEM undergraduates from four-year universities.

 

 

 

 

Victoria Brodie, visiting professor of public relations, co-authored a paper published in the Journal of Global Leadership (Volume 5). The title was Enhancing China’s Education Policy and Developing an Entrepreneurial Economy.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jenifer N. Nalbandian, assistant professor of chemistry, and the CBU Chemistry Club presented demonstrations at The Rock Christian School’s science fair in San Bernardino on Feb. 8. The chemistry club members demonstrated the difference between UV and visible light using invisible ink and what dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) can do, such as snuff out a lit candle and freeze a bubble.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Sean Sullivan, professor of kinesiology, had an article published in the Christian Courier (Feb. 12). The title was From Ancient Greece to Pyeongchang: The Olympics and pseudo-religion.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Andrew Herrity, professor of entrepreneurship and business, and Dr. Natalie Winter, professor of marketing and management, presented at the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities International Forum, in Dallas on Feb. 1. The title was The Role of Christian Faculty in Faith Integration as Formation of Christian Character.

 

 

 

The program of Communication Sciences and Disorders co-hosted the California Speech Hearing Association District 10 Supervision Workshop at the CBU Health Science Campus on Feb. 10. Approximately 70 speech-language pathologists attended the event.

 

 

 

The Division of Natural and Mathematical Sciences held its 10^th Annual Research Symposium on Feb. 3. More than 45 faculty and students presented research in areas of biology, chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, environmental science, mathematics and statistics. The keynote speaker was Dr. Peter Imming, a professor from Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, in Germany.

 

 

 

Dr. Natalie Winter, professor of marketing and management, taught at Navigating Motherhood, a ministry of Compass Bible Church in Aliso Viejo, on Feb. 8-9. The title was First Things First.

 

 

 

 

Dr. DawnEllen Jacobs, director of new faculty development, presented at the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities International Forum in Dallas on Jan. 30-Feb. 2. Jacobs was a member of a faculty development leadership team responsible for hosting pre-conference and networking sessions for faculty development directors. The group also presented a panel discussion on Faculty Development: Challenges, Successes and Opportunities for Collaboration. Jacobs also co-presented a paper on Developing Kingdom Professionals through a Spectrum of Global Engagement.

 

 

 

Dr. Barry Parker, reference & serials librarian, had a novel published in January. Derra (iUniverse) is a mystery novel.

 

 

 

 

The staff of the CBU Counseling Center held a dedication for the center’s new location (3626 Monroe St.) on Feb. 2. The new facility is set to open Feb. 26. Staff members prayed over each area of the new building and wrote prayers and blessings on the concrete floor for the employees and clients.

 

 

 

The Inland Theatre League nominated CBU faculty and staff for awards for their role in CBU theatre productions: A Christmas Carol—Lee Lyons, professor of theatre, for Director and Set Designer; Julius Caesar: Garrett Botts as Cassius, Garret Replogle, theatre shop foreman, for Fight Choreographer, Michael Ring as Brutus, and Michael Voyu as Marc Antony; Little Shop of Horrors—Dan Robinson for Set Design, Ethan Park as Mushnik, Julie Ann Oleson as Audrey, Lisa Lyons, adjunct professor of theatre, for Director, and Ryan Lee as Seymour; Peter and the Starcatcher—Daniel Beimford as Peter, Ethan Park as Black Stache, Frank Mihelich, associate professor of theatre, for Director, Lee Lyons for Lighting Designer and Set Designer, Machir Lakofka for Costume Design, and Madison Rickard as Molly; Taming of the Shrew—Ben Replogle as Hortensio, Bryan Richardson as Lucentio, Frank Mihelich for Director, Julie Ann Olsen as Katherine, Patrick Brien as Baptista, Taylor Bjur as Petruchio and Tom Provenzano as Gremio. Frank Mihelich and alumna Sarah Babakhani also were nominated for a production with Gestalt Theatre. The awards ceremony will be held March 18.

 

Personnel Updates