California Baptist University

California Baptist University

Former names	California Baptist College (1950–1998)
Motto	Live Your Purpose
Type	Private university
Established	1950; 75 years ago (1950)
Religious affiliation	California Southern Baptist Convention
Endowment	$119.1 million (2022)[1]
President	Ronald L. Ellis
Students	11,491 (Fall 2021)
Location	Riverside , California , United States 33°55′48″N 117°25′30″W[2]
Campus	Suburban, 160 acres (65 ha)
Colors	Navy blue and gold[3]
Nickname	Lancers
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I, Western Athletic Conference Western Water Polo Association (men's water polo) Golden Coast Conference (women's water polo)
Website	www.calbaptist.edu

California Baptist University (Cal Baptist or CBU) is a private Baptist Christian university in Riverside, California. Founded in 1950 as California Baptist College, it is affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention, an organization affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. CBU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

History

1950s through 1990s

Founded in 1950 as California Baptist College in El Monte, California by the Los Angeles Southern Baptist Association, the new college enrolled 120 students during its first year under the leadership of the first president, P. Boyd Smith.^[4] In 1953, the college moved under the wing of the California Southern Baptist Convention, the same year that the first edition of the Angelos, the college yearbook, was published. In 1954, the college received its charter from the state of California.^{[citation needed]}

Soon the college outgrew its facilities, and in 1955 it moved its campus to the then-rural city of Riverside, California.^[5] The school's new 75.6-acre campus was already equipped with constructed buildings that could be used for offices, classrooms, and living areas.^{[citation needed]} What is now known as the Annie Gabriel Library, was the first to be built in 1921. In 1927, the original administration building was constructed whereas the W.E. James Building was built in 1934.^{[citation needed]} The building which now houses the ceramics studio and boiler was constructed in 1938. In 1958, the college named its second president, Lloyd Simmons.^{[citation needed]}

In September 1998, California Baptist College officially became California Baptist University.^[6]

2000s through present day

The School of Music was established in 2002, and the Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education followed in 2003. The same year, the university complex, known as the Yeager Center, was opened, housing classrooms, administration offices, the cafeteria, computer labs, and professors' offices.^[7]

Student body composition as of May 2, 2022

Race and ethnicity[8]	Total
Hispanic	38%	38
White	37%	37
Other[a]	10%	10
Black	6%	6
Asian	6%	6
Foreign national	2%	2
Native American	1%	1
Pacific Islander	1%	1
Economic diversity
Low-income[b]	43%	43
Affluent[c]	57%	57

In the fall of 2010, CBU added a College of Health Science, and enrollment exceeded 4,700 students.^[9]

On September 8, 2015, CBU offered its first doctoral degree, a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) through the School of Nursing.

The CBU Events Center opened in November 2017.^[10] The following year, the CBU Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building was opened.^[11]

Expulsion of Domaine Javier

On August 30, 2011, California Baptist University expelled incoming nursing student Domaine Javier for being a transgender woman. CBU claimed she had concealed her identity when applying to the school.^[12] Before attending classes, Javier revealed her identity on MTV's True Life, after which CBU expelled her. As a result, Javier's attorneys filed a lawsuit against the school on grounds of discrimination, citing California's Unruh Civil Rights Act. Javier also brought suit against the university for breach of contract.^[13] Riverside County Superior Court Judge Gloria Connor Trask ruled on July 11, 2014 that as a transgender person, Javier's application violated the university's moral code and the school was within its rights to expel her. Trask, however, ruled that the university should not have prohibited Javier from entering university businesses and services which were open to the public.^[14] Because of California Baptist's decision to bar Javier from their campus businesses, Judge Trask ordered the school to pay her $4,000 in statutory damages in addition to attorney's fees.^[15]

Campus

• Campus
• 
  Events Center
• 
  John C. Funk Stadium
• 
  Van Dyne Gym

Annie Gabriel Library

The Annie Gabriel Library is named in honor of Annie Gabriel, whose gifts enabled the initial development of the collection.^{[citation needed]}

Architecture

In 2004, CBU was recognized in a November 2004 article in the American School and University magazine, which recognizes education design excellence, for the construction of the Yeager Center, by Kroh/Broeske Architects in Riverside. The university also won honors from the city of Riverside.^{[citation needed]} The Mission Revival architectural style is a hallmark of CBU's campus. ^[16]

Athletics

Main article: California Baptist Lancers

The California Baptist (Cal Baptist) athletic teams are called the Lancers. The university is a member of the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) for most of its sports since the 2018–19 academic year;^[17][18][19] while the men's water polo team competes in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA); and the women's water polo team competes in the Golden Coast Conference (GCC). The Lancers previously competed in the Pacific West Conference (PacWest) of the NCAA Division II ranks from 2011–12 to 2017–18; and in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1987–88 to 2010–11.

Cal Baptist competes in 21 intercollegiate varsity sports:^[20] Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming & diving, track (distance), water polo and wrestling; women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, stunt, swimming & diving, track (distance), volleyball and water polo; and co-ed sports include cheerleading and dance.

Academics

Schools

• College of Health Science
  • Department of Kinesiology
  • Department of Physician Assistant Studies
  • Department of Public Health Sciences
  • Department of Allied Health Professions
  • Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
• College of Architecture, Visual Art and Design
  • Department of Architecture
  • Department of Graphic Design
  • Department of Photography
  • Department of Film
  • Department of Visual Arts
• College of Arts and Sciences
  • Department of Biological Sciences
  • Department of Chemical Sciences
  • Department of Communication Arts
  • Department of History and Government
  • Department of Mathematical Sciences
  • Department of Modern Languages & Literature
• Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering
  • Department of Aerospace, Industrial and Mechanical Engineering
  • Department of Aviation Science
  • Department of Biomedical Engineering
  • Department of Chemical Engineering
  • Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management
  • Department of Computing, Software and Data Sciences
  • Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education
• Robert K. Jabs School of Business
• College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
• School of Christian Ministries
• College of Nursing
• Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Performing Arts

Incorporation, accreditations and memberships

California Baptist University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In March 2011, WASC awarded a 10-year accreditation reaffirmation to the university, the maximum accreditation period granted by WASC.^[21]

In addition, CBU's various schools and colleges hold accreditations from and memberships with organizations related to their specific disciplines. These accreditations and memberships currently include:

• CBU's Robert K. Jabs School of Business is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
• CBU's Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
• Teacher education programs offered by CBU's Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Educations are approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Approval has been given for both multiple-subject and single-subject credential programs.
• The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program offered by CBU's Department of Kinesiology is accredited by the CAATE^[22]
• CBU's nursing program offered by CBU's School of Nursing is approved by the Board of Registered Nurses (BRN) and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• CBU's bachelor's degree programs in biomedical engineering (BSBME), chemical engineering (BS), civil engineering (BSCE), electrical and computer engineering (BSECE) and mechanical engineering (BSME) are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)^[23]
• CBU's Master of Public Health (MPH) program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).^[24]

The university is a member of the American Association of Higher Education, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges.^[25]

CBU is affiliated with LECOM, the largest medical school in the United States, offering qualified students early acceptance to their medical, dental, and pharmacy schools.^[26][27][28]

Notable alumni

• Nathan Fletcher (1997) - member of the California State Assembly (D-San Diego)^[29]
• Corey Jackson (2022) - member of the California Assembly (D-Moreno Valley)^[30]
• Fraser Kershaw (2006) - activist, host of the film Behind the Water^[31]
• Dustin-Leigh Konzelman (2005) - Miss California contestant in the 2006 Miss America pageant; contestant on season 10 and the All-Star edition of the CBS reality show The Amazing Race
• Brent Kutzle (2007) - bassist and cellist for the pop rock band OneRepublic
• Drew Shirley (1996) - guitarist of the Christian rock band Switchfoot; his first band, All Together Separate, originated at the university and was made up of members of the student body^[32]
• Rick Warren (1976) - author of The Purpose Driven Life and founding and pastor emeritus of Saddleback Church^[33]

Notes

1. Other consists of multiracial Americans and those who prefer to not say.
2. The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
3. The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.

References

1. As of June 30, 2022. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY21 to FY22 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: California Baptist University
3. CBU Athletics Updated Branding Guide (PDF). July 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
4. Randall Herbert Balmer, Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition, Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 120
5. Thomas C. Hunt, James C. Carper, Religious Higher Education in the United States: A Source Book, Taylor & Francis, Abingdon-on-Thames, 1996, p. 358
6. Praeger, American Universities and Colleges, 19th Edition [2 Volumes]: Nineteenth Edition, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 88
7. "California Baptist University & La Sierra University". 951 Magazine. July 23, 2005. Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
8. "College Scorecard: California Baptist University". United States Department of Education. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
9. September 27, 2010 "CBU Fall enrollment posts new record, historic one-year" from university website http://www.calbaptist.edu/news/2010enrollment.aspx Archived September 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
10. "New Cal Baptist University arena in Riverside impresses on opening day". Press Enterprise. November 11, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
11. "CBU dedicates new building for College of Engineering". California Baptist University. July 26, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
12. "Transgender Student Says School Kicked Her Out For Being A Him - CBS Los Angeles". www.cbsnews.com. October 31, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
13. "Transgender Student Sues University That Expelled Her for 'Fraud'". February 27, 2013.
14. "Expelled transgender student gets partial win". July 15, 2014.
15. Journal, A. B. A. "Transgender student and Baptist college both claim victory in lawsuit over expulsion". ABA Journal.
16. Meluski, Angel (September 10, 2021). "CBU hosts book release event celebrating famed architect Henry L.A. Jekel". calbaptist.edu. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
17. "CBU Rejoins NCCAA". California Baptist University. It transitioned to Division I in 2018-2019. March 25, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
18. "CBU Announces D1, WAC Move". CBU Athletics.
19. "A visual look at 2020-21 NCAA championships | NCAA.com". Ncaa.com. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
20. "Lancers to join PacWest". California Baptist University. October 15, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
21. California Baptist University. "CBU earns first-ever 10-year accreditation reaffirmation". CBU Website. CBU. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2011.
22. Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education Archived May 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine (CAATE)
23. "ABET -". abet.org. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
24. "Applicants | Council on Education for Public Health". Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
25. October 6, 2023 - CBU Family Newsletter (calbaptist.edu)
26. "CBU Inks Agreement With Nation?S Largest Medical School". Archived from the original on October 27, 2020.
27. "Early Acceptance Program". LECOM. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
28. "LECOM Affiliated Colleges and Universities" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 2, 2021.
29. "Bio". republican.assembly.ca.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 2, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
30. "Biography | Official Website - Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson Representing the 60th California Assembly District".
31. "BehindTheWater". BehindTheWater.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2015.
32. "All Together Separate Lyrics". Lyrics.christiansunite.com. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
33. "Charlie Rose - Rick Warren". Archived from the original on June 6, 2009. Retrieved August 1, 2009.

External links

• Official website
• CBU athletics website