message from the president DR. RONALD L. ELLIS
Dear Alumni and Friends: Welcome to the second decade of the 21st Century! Of course that depends on when one calculates the decade to have begun. But whether you belong to the school that holds the new decade begins this year or one that computes the start from 2010, there’s no escaping one fact: another calendar year has passed with almost blinding speed.
The previous issue of The Roundtable announced the start of Lancer athletics’ transition to membership in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II. In this issue we are pleased to present the next step in the continuing journey toward NCAA D-II membership – CBU’s acceptance of an invitation to join the Pacific West Conference (pg. 15).
Happily, 2010 delivered another wonderful measure of growth and development at California Baptist University. Enrollment at CBU posted a record increase of 610 over fall 2009 figures, reaching a new milestone of 4,715 students enrolled at the start of the current academic year. It was the largest oneyear numerical increase in the institution’s 60-year history. One of the outstanding academic programs helping to drive enrollment growth at CBU is the Graphic Design & Digital Media major featured in the cover story of this issue (pg. 8).
CBU has long been a top competitor in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), capturing 19 NAIA national championships while continually producing top-ranked teams and scholarathletes. Since 1994, the institution’s enrollment has grown five-fold, revenues have increased nearly ten-fold, and the depth and breadth of our academic offerings and resource base have significantly increased as well. This has produced a university profile more similar to the majority of NCAA Division II members than it is to the majority of NAIA members. While this shift will present new challenges, it represents an important step in positioning California Baptist University for even greater national visibility and recognition as a premier comprehensive Christian university. I am excited about the prospect of CBU helping the PacWest Conference become the top NCAA D-II athletic conference. Go, Lancers!
Rapid growth presents a variety of challenges in areas such as parking and food service at an institution like CBU. To meet those challenges, six new temporary parking areas have been placed in service this academic year. Plans are underway to add a large number of permanent parking spaces by next fall. Also, a beautiful and convenient new dining facility, Brisco’s Village Café, is serving more than a thousand meals a day in the recently renamed “Village at CBU”, formerly Rose Garden Village. I would be remiss if I did not give credit and thanks to the California Baptist University students, faculty and staff for their patience, understanding and encouragement as we work to provide the enhanced facilities needed to create and maintain an outstanding “CBU experience.” Just before the 2010-2011 academic year began, the CBU community was stunned by a tragic accident that claimed the life of a beloved coach and three other persons, and injured a dozen CBU student athletes (pgs. 24, 29). I spoke at the campus memorial service for Wendy Rice, CBU cheer squad coach, who died in the traffic collision. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Coach Rice’s family and all of those affected by this tragedy.
02 I 03
This issue of The Roundtable goes to press less than one month before our 2011 Homecoming celebration, featuring the second annual CBU Homecoming Block Party and, weather permitting, a bonfire and pep rally on the front lawn. See the display on page 31 for details on how to register for the exciting activities of Homecoming Week at CBU. I look forward to welcoming back many alumni and friends who represent such a valued part of the heritage of California Baptist University. May the Lord continue to bless! Ronald L. Ellis, Ph.D. President