Fall Commencement 2020
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SPRING · SUMMER· FALL COMMENCEMENT 2020 California Baptist University riverside, california SPRING · SUMMER· FALL COMMENCEMENT 2020 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 2:00PM COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Dr. Ronald L. Ellis Ronald L. Ellis, Ph.D. became the fifth president of California Baptist University on November 1, 1994. Since then, the institution has experienced sweeping changes in almost every facet of university life—from expanding academic programs to a successful athletics program. Enrollment at CBU has grown by 1,401 percent during the Ellis presidency, from 808 in the fall of 1994 to 11,317 in the fall of 2020. During his tenure, the university’s operating budget has increased from $11.3 million to $355.4 million in FY21. After winning 22 NAIA national championships in 12 years, CBU gained full membership in NCAA Division II in 2013. CBU won the 2012 Pacific West Conference Commissioner’s Cup in its inaugural year competing in the PacWest. CBU won it again in 2014, the same year Dr. Ellis became the first leader of a PacWest member institution to serve on the NCAA Division II Presidents Council. CBU won the PacWest Commissioner’s Cup again in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The Lancers also won the NCAA Division II Learfield Directors in 2018. In the 2018-19 season, CBU began a four-year transition to Division I status as a member of the Western Athletic Conference. Since then, the Lancers have won three WAC championships, logged 11 top-three conference finishes and qualified seven teams for postseason tournaments involving Division I programs. New construction, renovation of existing facilities and property acquisitions have dramatically transformed CBU’s beautiful Southern California campus. The university also has developed as a significant member of the community and region, and in 2005 the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce named CBU “Business of the Year.” And for the 15th straight year, U.S. News & World Report named CBU one of “America’s Best Colleges” for 2021. Under the leadership of President Ellis, CBU has developed into a premier comprehensive Christian university, comprising 10 colleges and professional schools and a division of Online and Professional Studies, offering more than 150 majors, minors and concentrations as well as more than 30 graduate programs and seven doctoral programs. In 2011, CBU received its first ever 10-year accreditation—affirmation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. And in 2012, California Baptist University’s bachelor degree programs in civil engineering (BSCE), electrical and computer engineering (BSECE) and mechanical engineering (BSME) were accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. President Ellis received a bachelor’s degree from Houston Baptist University in 1977 and a master’s degree in educational administration from Baylor University in 1981. In 1987, he completed a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Texas A&M University. President Ellis and his wife, Jane Dowden Ellis, are active members of Magnolia Church in Riverside, where he has served as chair of the board of trustees. They have two sons and 12 grandchildren. 2 THE ACADEMIC MACE Though originally conceived as a weapon, the mace was adopted by medieval European royalty as a symbol of authority. Today, the U.S. Congress, the British Parliament and many other governmental bodies employ the mace as a symbol of authority and order. On the rare occasion when a member of Congress becomes unruly, the Sergeant at Arms, on order of the Speaker, lifts the mace from its pedestal and presents it before the offenders, thereby restoring order. The first known use of the mace in academic ceremonies occurred at the University of Vienna in 1385. The mace of California Baptist University is four feet long, is constructed of bronze and walnut, and is used in many of the University’s academic ceremonies. In keeping with academic tradition, the CBU mace appears at the front of the faculty processions and is carried by the University’s most senior faculty member. THE RINGING OF THE BELL Tradition calls for the ringing of the CBU bell to signify the start of commencement. Each toll represents one decade of the university’s existence. California Baptist University was first established in 1950 in El Monte, California. Today, the bell will be rung seven times to commemorate seven decades of academic excellence. ALMA MATER by S.E. Boyd Smith (1953) CBU we’ll love you, Long as stars shine above you. Pledge our hearts forever, Time shall never sever, never sever. We will sing your praises, Proudly down through the ages. Hail Thee, Alma Mater, CBU! 3 THE ACADEMIC REGALIA Distinctive academic dress can be traced back to the universities of the Middle Ages. In the early centuries of its existence, the costume was worn as daily garb, and each of the several parts had its practical use. In more recent centuries, its use in complete form has been reserved for special ceremonial occasions. Holders of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees wear black gowns as a rule although many universities have established their own distinctive colors for their regalia. The field of learning in which a degree is awarded is shown by the color of the edging of the hood. The lining of the hood is the official color of the university which awarded the degree. Holders of all degrees wear caps––the most common is popularly known as the mortarboard––to which a long tassel is fastened. Black tassels are correct for all degrees, but colored tassels may also be worn. Gold metallic tassels may be worn by persons with doctorates and by dignitaries. NOTICE: Information contained in this program is deemed complete as of the time of publication. California Baptist University is not responsible for omissions resulting from content submitted after printing deadlines. 4 THE ACADEMIC REGALIA The following is a partial list of hood colors established by the American Council on Education to represent fields of learning: Architecture Blue Violet Behavioral and Social Sciences, Mathematics Gold Business, Accounting Drab Communication Maroon Education Light Blue Engineering Orange English White Health and Physical Sciences Sage Green Medicine Kelly Green Music Pink Nursing Apricot Organizational and Leadership Studies Royal Blue Public Administration Peacock Public Health Salmon Social Work Citron 5 RECOGNITIONS AX Alpha Chi membership in this general honor society is based on academic achievement plus outstanding character traits. Juniors and seniors whose overall grade point average places them in the upper ten percent of their class are eligible for consideration. Alpha Chi members are wearing green and blue cords. ΑΦΣ Alpha Phi Sigma is a National Criminal Justice Honor Society. Baccalaureate students who have completed three full-time semesters, have a minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale in a minimum of four courses related to the criminal justice field, and rank in the top 35% of their class are eligible for consideration. Alpha Phi Sigma members are wearing gold and blue cords. AKΔ Alpha Kappa Delta is an International Sociology Honor Society founded in 1920. It was established for scholars who commit to conduct or review social research for the purpose of service. In order to qualify, students must be at least a junior, rank in the top 35 percent of their class or have an overall GPA of 3.3, have taken at least four sociology courses and have an overall sociology coursework GPA of 3.0. Alpha Kappa Delta members are wearing teal cords. AΣΛ Alpha Sigma Lambda is the oldest and largest national honor society for non- traditional students (typically adults also engaged in professional careers). It recognizes those students who achieve and maintain outstanding scholastic standards and leadership characteristics while adeptly handling additional responsibilities of work and family. To be considered for membership, 6 RECOGNITIONS students must possess a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in an undergraduate program. Alpha Sigma Lambda members are wearing burgundy and antique gold cords. HΣΓ Eta Sigma Gamma is the national honor society in health education. Eta Sigma Gamma’s primary purpose is to elevate the standards, ideals, competence, and ethics of individuals in the field of health education and promotion. The Eta Sigma Gamma insignia and honor cord reflects the ideals of teaching, research, and service in health education and promotion. Eta Sigma Gamma recognizes the top 15 percent of students and professionals with an academic major or minor in health education. Eta Sigma Gamma members are wearing green and gold cords. KME Kappa Mu Epsilon students in the top 35 percent of their class who have completed a certain set of mathematics courses with a grade of B or higher are eligible for membership in Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society. A silver cord indicates membership in Kappa Mu Epsilon. ΠΣΑ Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Honor Society for Political Science and International Studies founded in 1920. In order to be inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, students must have completed 64 or more semester credits; completed at least 12 semester credits in Political Science including at least one upper-division course; earned an average grade of B or higher in all courses in Political Science; and earned an average grade of B+ or higher in all courses. Pi Sigma Alpha members are wearing red, white, and black cords. 7 RECOGNITIONS ΣΔΠ Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish Honor Society, welcomes Spanish majors and minors based upon academic achievement. Undergraduate students in the upper 35 percent of the class, with a grade point average of a 3.0 or higher in Spanish, are eligible for consideration. Sigma Delta Pi members are wearing gold and red cords. ΣTΔ Sigma Tau Delta welcomes English majors and minors based upon academic achievement.