Volume 66 | Issue 1 | September 7, 2018
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CBU declared among nation’s fastest growing schools BY MISTY SEVERI NEWS EDITOR
The results are in: California Baptist University is one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. In a 10-year study conducted by the Chronicle of Higher Education’s Almanac, CBU was ranked No. 8 out of 400 private nonprofit universities thatgrant bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Between 2006 and 2016,
CBU’s enrollment increased from 3,409 to 9,157 — a 268.6 percent increase. The other 392 universities saw an average growth of 15.7 percent. CBU enrollment is continuing to grow, reaching 9,941 in 2017. Dr. Mark Wyatt, vice president for marketing and communication, said he did not think the results of the study were surprising. “The Chronicle of Higher Education ranking simply
Clash n’ Roll into the school year
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business major, confirms what said people in her we have long hometown know believed,” Wyabout CBU. att said. “CBU is “My friends one of the fastest back home in growing universities in the naDr. Jeff Cate Fresno have now heard of CBU tion.” professor of New apart from me Members of Testament (attending CBU),” the on-campus Morenso said. community are not the only ones who have felt “We’re growing and that’s really cool.” the impact and growth of CBU. Dr. Jeff Cate, professor of Kayla Moreno, sophomore
It’s rather unprecedented for a college to grow like this.
Wyatt said while this is a great accomplishment for CBU, it is only a stepping-stone along the university’s path. “Enrollment growth is in the DNA of CBU as a university dedicated to the Great Commission,” Wyatt said. “The current goal is to enroll 12,000 students by 2025. I expect that will be another significant milestone for CBU to even greater things over the next decade and beyond.”
New Testament, said CBU’s campus has changed tremendously since his arrival in 1997. “When I started, everything — professors’ offices, Wanda’s, and Dr. (Ronald) Ellis’ office — were all in the James Building,” Cate said. Cate added CBU has grown in every way possible. “It’s rather unprecedented for a college to grow like this,” Cate said. “I see it as a wonderful thing.”
First weekend tradition greets new Lancers to campus culture BY VICTORIA BUSZINSKI ASST. NEWS EDITOR
More than 2,200 students became new Lancers at California Baptist University’s annual Welcome Weekend, making up the biggest incoming class in CBU history. Approximately 1,700 freshman and 500 transfer students participated in Welcome Weekend. The theme of the weekend was “Everyday Courage,” in an effort to encourage new students to have confidence in this new transition.
SEE WEEKEND | PAGE 2
Transfers find new home on CBU’s campus BY SUMMER CLARK ASST. NEWS EDITOR
California Baptist University inaugurated the year for new transfer students with several activities from Welcome Weekend. This event takes place the weekend before the first week of school to get new students comfortable and prepared for the semesters to come. During Welcome Weekend, students get tours of the campus and experience
SEE TRANSFERS | PAGE 3
Alumni reflect on their own first weekend BY MISTY SEVERI NEWS EDITOR
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Tanner Johnson, senior marketing major, dances down the aisles to get everyone hyped for bunco.
“There was a Christian camp vibe to California Baptist University,” said Frank Mihelich, associate professor of theatre at CBU. “I went to CBU before CBU was really cool — now I look around and everyone is hip.” Mihelich went to CBU in the ’90s, before there was a Welcome Weekend. Back then there was a new student orientation, and it happened the week before classes started. New students registered for classes,
SEE HISTORY | PAGE 3