California Baptist University

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California Baptist University is a private, Christian, liberal arts institution located in Riverside, California, USA. Originally founded in 1950 as California Baptist College, Cal Baptist, which the college is affectionately known as, is one of the educational institutions run by the Southern Baptist Convention. As such, the college has weekly chapels for students and faith is an integral part of the classroom experience.

California Baptist University
Image:Calbaptist.gif
Established 1950
Type Private
President Ronald L. Ellis, Ph.D.
Students 2,905 (as of fall 2004)
Location Riverside, California, United States
Campus Suburban, 82 acres (332,000 m²)
Athletics 13 varsity teams
Mascot Lancer
Website http://www.calbaptist.edu/

Contents

[edit] Mission statement

"The primary purpose of this corporation is to conduct regular four-year college courses in education, music, sciences and the liberal arts, and to grant certificates, diplomas and any and all degrees evidencing completion of any course of training, together with any and all honorary degrees and to provide training for Baptist youth and others desiring to be affiliated with Baptist theology and theological instruction and such other instruction as may be needful and advantageous in preparing and qualifying ministers and other for Christian work." (From its Articles of Incorporation of California Baptist College, 1954.)

[edit] History

[edit] 1950s

Founded in 1950 as California Baptist College in El Monte, California, the new college enrolled 120 students during its first year under the leadership of the first president P. Boyd Smith. In 1953, the college moved under the wing of the Southern Baptist Convention, the same year that the first edition of the Angeleos, the college yearbook, was published.

In 1954, the college earned its charter from the state of California.

Soon, though the college outgrew its facilities and in 1955, moved its campus to the then rural city of Riverside.

The college moved to a more spacious 82 acre (332,000 m²) campus which already had constructed buildings that could be used for offices, classrooms, and living areas.

The original buildings were built in the 1920s. 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. The building which now houses the Ceramics studio and boiler was constructed in 1938.

In 1958, the college named its second president, Dr. Loyed Simmons.

[edit] 1960s and 1970s

1961 saw the college earn full accredidation by the Western College Association. In 1964, the college began expanding with the construction of the Lancer Arms apartment complex and the student population reached 500.

In 1968, both residence halls, Smith and Simmons Halls were built and named in honor of the college's first two presidents. These new dorms allowed for higher enrollment at the college.

In 1971, Dr. James R. Staples was named as the third college president. Two years later, the Wallace Book of Life Theater was built. In 1978, the college's $800,000 note for the Riverside campus was finally paid and was burned in a college-wide celebration.

[edit] 1980s and 1990s

Dr. Russell R. Tuck became the college's fourth president in 1984. The same year, the first graduate degree was granted and accreditation was received by the National Association of Schools of Music.

In 1991 Wanda's Place was established, an on campus cafe named in honor of a popular long-time college employee. Three years later, Dr. Ronald L. Ellis was installed as the fifth college president and the next year saw the school enrollment reach 1000.

California Baptist College became the first college on the West Coast to receive accreditation by Association of College Business Schools and Programs in 1996. The next year saw the enrollment reach 2000.

In September 1998 California Baptist College officially became California Baptist University, forty eight years after its founding. The same year The U.S. News and World Report listed California Baptist University among the top five regional liberal arts college for student-faculty ratio.

[edit] 2000s

In 2000, the school's 50th Anniversary was celebrated and the campus once again expanded in 2001 with the addition of the University Place Apartments.

The School of Music was established in 2002 with the new Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education following in 2003. The same year, the new university complex, known as the Yeager Center, was opened and now houses new classrooms, administration offices, the new cafeteria, computer labs, and professors' offices.

The summer of 2004 saw new housing complexes built and in the fall, the university enrolled its first students in the Masters of Music degree program. The fall of 2004 was a time of celebration in honor of President Ronald L. Ellis' ten years at the school.

In 2006, US News & World Report ranked the institution tied for 51st among 61 insitutions in its "Universities–Master's (West)" category.[1]

[edit] School architecture

California Baptist University is known in the city of Riverside for its Mission Revival style architecture. Many of the older structures on campus were built during the 1920s and 30s, a time that this particular style was popular. The Mission Inn in downtown Riverside is such an example. Buildings that have been built on campus have followed this architectural tradition.

In 2004, CBU was recognized by a November 2004 article in the American School & University magazine, which recognizes education design excellence, for the construction of the Yeager Center. The university also won honors from the city of Riverside.

2005 saw the building and completion of the Hawkins Music Building which houses the Collinsworth School of Music.

[edit] Traditions

  • Yule is held during the Christmas season. A banquet is usually held and is a time of fun, entertainment, and fellowship.
  • Late Night Breakfasts are held at the end of each semester during finals week. Faculty serve the students from behind the counters in the cafeteria.
  • Homecoming is usually held in the January or February. Alumni return to the school and a king and queen are announced at the Homecoming basketball game.
  • The school colors are navy blue and gold

[edit] Schools

  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • Collinsworth School of Music
  • Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business
  • Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education
  • School of Behavioral Sciences
  • School of Christian Ministries
  • School of Nursing

[edit] Degrees

California Baptist University offers degrees in subjects as follows:

[edit] Bachelors

[edit] Graduate programs

California Baptist University offers the following graduate degree programs:

California Baptist University is the only university in the world to offer an online M.B.A. program with an emphasis in Church Business Administration.[citation needed]

[edit] Teacher credential programs

[edit] Sports

California Baptist University competes in the Golden State Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics with 14 sports for men and women:

For men, California Baptist sponsors baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, volleyball, and water polo. For women, California Baptist sponsors basketball, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, volleyball, and water polo.

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] References

  1. ^ US News & World Report (2006). USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2007: Universities-Master's (West): Top Schools:. Retrieved on 2006-09-06.

[edit] External links


Golden State Athletic Conference
Azusa Pacific • Biola • California Baptist • Concordia • Fresno Pacific • Hope International • The Master's • Point Loma Nazarene • San Diego Christian • Vanguard • Westmont
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