California Baptist University

California Baptist University
Former names
California Baptist College (1950–1998)
MottoLive Your Purpose
TypePrivate university
Established1950; 76 years ago (1950)
Religious affiliation
California Southern Baptist Convention
Endowment$157.6 million (2024)[1]
PresidentRonald L. Ellis
Students11,491 (Fall 2021)
Location
Riverside, California
,
United States

33°55′48″N 117°25′30″W / 33.93000°N 117.42500°W / 33.93000; -117.42500[2]
CampusSuburban, 160 acres (65 ha)
ColorsNavy blue and gold[3]
   
NicknameLancers
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I, Western Athletic Conference
Western Water Polo Association (men's water polo)
Golden Coast Conference (women's water polo)
Websitecalbaptist.edu
Map

California Baptist University (Cal Baptist or CBU) is a private Baptist Christian university in Riverside, California, United States. 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, Loyed Simmons.[6]

In September 1998, California Baptist College officially became California Baptist University.[7]

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.[8]

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.[citation needed]

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

The CBU Soccer Stadium was completed and dedicated in 2022.[12]

In fall 2025, CBU achieved record enrollment of 12,516 students.[13][self-published source?]

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.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17]

Campus

  • Campus
  • Events Center
    Events Center
  • John C. Funk Stadium
    John C. Funk Stadium
  • Van Dyne Gym
    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.[18]

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.[19]

Athletics

Main article: California Baptist Lancers

The California Baptist University 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;[20][21][22] 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.

CBU will conclude its primary membership with the Western Athletic Conference on June 30, 2026, and will begin its new era of athletics with The Big West Conference on July 1, 2026.

Academics

Academics at the university are organized into several colleges and schools:

  • College of Health Science
  • College of Architecture, Visual Art and Design
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering
  • Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education
  • Dr. 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

The university is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.[23]

In addition, some of CBU's colleges, schools, and programs are accredited by or hold membership in organizations related to their specific disciplines. These accreditations and memberships 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[24]
  • 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)[25]
  • CBU's Master of Public Health (MPH) program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).[26]

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.[27]

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.[28][29][30]

Notable alumni

Notes

References

  1. ^ As of June 30, 2024. "U.S. and Canadian 2024 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2024 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY23 to FY24, and FY24 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student" (XLSX). National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). February 12, 2025. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  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. ^ "GCU Library Digital Collections". www.gcu.contentdm.oclc.org. Grand Canyon University.
  7. ^ Praeger, American Universities and Colleges, 19th Edition [2 Volumes]: Nineteenth Edition, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 88
  8. ^ "California Baptist University & La Sierra University". 951 Magazine. July 23, 2005. Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
  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.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "CBU dedicates new building for College of Engineering". California Baptist University. July 26, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  12. ^ Gordon, Hannah (September 16, 2022). "CBU inaugurates new soccer stadium". The Banner.
  13. ^ "About CBU". California Baptist University. California Baptist University.
  14. ^ "Transgender Student Says School Kicked Her Out For Being A Him". CBS Los Angeles. October 31, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  15. ^ Shapiro, Lila (February 27, 2013). "Transgender Student Sues University That Expelled Her for 'Fraud'". HuffPost.
  16. ^ Allen, Bob (July 15, 2014). "Expelled transgender student gets partial win". Baptist News Global.
  17. ^ Journal, A. B. A. "Transgender student and Baptist college both claim victory in lawsuit over expulsion". ABA Journal.
  18. ^ "Collection: Annie Gabriel papers | California Baptist University - ArchivesSpace". calbaptist.lyrasistechnology.org. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  19. ^ Meluski, Angel (September 10, 2021). "CBU hosts book release event celebrating famed architect Henry L.A. Jekel". calbaptist.edu. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  20. ^ "CBU Rejoins NCCAA". California Baptist University. It transitioned to Division I in 2018-2019. March 25, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  21. ^ "CBU Announces D1, WAC Move". CBU Athletics.
  22. ^ "A visual look at 2020-21 NCAA championships | NCAA.com". Ncaa.com. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education Archived May 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine (CAATE)
  25. ^ "ABET -". abet.org. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  26. ^ "Applicants | Council on Education for Public Health". Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  27. ^ October 6, 2023 - CBU Family Newsletter (calbaptist.edu)
  28. ^ "CBU Inks Agreement With Nation?S Largest Medical School". Archived from the original on October 27, 2020.
  29. ^ "Early Acceptance Program". LECOM. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  30. ^ "LECOM Affiliated Colleges and Universities" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 2, 2021.
  31. ^ "Bio". republican.assembly.ca.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 2, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  32. ^ Tomko, Jeff (August 2, 2024). "Evan Honer Has Trained to Never Leave It to the Judges". Muscle & Fitness. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  33. ^ "Biography | Official Website - Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson Representing the 60th California Assembly District".
  34. ^ "BehindTheWater". BehindTheWater.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2015.
  35. ^ "Charlie Rose - Rick Warren". Archived from the original on June 6, 2009. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Baptist_University