California Baptist University (Cal Baptist or CBU) is a private  Baptist Christian university in Riverside, California. 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. 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.

Soon, the college outgrew its facilities, and, in 1955, moved its campus to the then rural city of Riverside. The college moved to a 75.6-acre campus which already had constructed buildings that could be used for offices, classrooms, and living areas. 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. Lloyd Simmons.

In September 1998, California Baptist College officially became California Baptist University.

2000s through present day

The School of Music was established in 2002, and the Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education following 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.

In the fall of 2010, CBU added a College of Health Science and enrollment exceeded 4,700 students.

On August 30, 2011, nursing student Domaine Javier was expelled from California Baptist University for being a transgender woman. The reason given for Javier's expulsion was that she was accused of "committing or attempting to engage in fraud, or concealing identity" by having applied and being accepted as a woman to the school. A California state trial court handed partial victories to both the university and Javier. In 2014, Javier was awarded $4,000 plus attorney's fees.

On September 8, 2015, CBU offered its first doctoral degree, a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) through the School of Nursing.

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

Campus

Annie Gabriel Library
The Annie Gabriel Library is named in honor of Miss Annie Gabriel, whose gifts enabled the initial development of the collection.

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.

Athletics

The California Baptist (Cal Baptist) 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; 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.

Cal Baptist competes in 21 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming & diving, track (distance), water polo and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, stunt, swimming & diving, track (distance), volleyball and water polo; and co-ed sports include cheerleading and dance.

Academics

Schools

 College of Health Science 
 Department of Kinesiology
 Department of Physician Assistant Studies
 Department of Public Health Sciences
 Department of Allied Health Professions
 Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders 
 College of Architecture, Visual Art and Design
 Department of Architecture
 Department of Graphic Design
 Department of Photography
 Department of Film
 Department of Visual Arts
 College of Arts and Sciences
 Department of Aviation Science
Department of Biological Sciences
Department of Chemical Sciences
 Department of Communication Arts
 Department of History and Government
Department of Mathematical Sciences
 Department of Modern Languages & Literature
 Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering
 Department of Aerospace, Industrial and Mechanical Engineering
 Department of Biomedical Engineering
 Department of Chemical Engineering
 Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management
 Department of Computing, Software and Data Sciences
 Department of Electrical and Computer 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 Music

Incorporation, accreditations and memberships 
California Baptist University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In March 2011, WASC awarded a 10-year accreditation reaffirmation to the university, the maximum accreditation period granted by WASC. 

In addition, CBU's various schools and colleges hold accreditations from and memberships with organizations related to their specific disciplines. These accreditations and memberships currently include:
 CBU's Dr. 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 Dr. 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
 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)
CBU's Master of Public Health (MPH) program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

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.

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.

Notable alumni
Rick Warren (1976) Author of The Purpose Driven Life and founding and pastor emeritus of Saddleback Church
Drew Shirley (1996) Guitarist of the Christian rock band Switchfoot. His first band, All Together Separate, originated at the university and was made up of members of the student body.
Nathan Fletcher (1997) Member of the California State Assembly (R-San Diego)
Dustin-Leigh Konzelman (2005) Miss California contestant in the 2006 Miss America Pageant. Also a contestant on season 10 and the All-Star edition of the CBS reality show The Amazing Race.
Fraser Kershaw (2006) Activist, host of the film, Behind the Water 
Brent Kutzle (2007) Bassist and cellist for the pop rock band OneRepublic.

Notes

References

External links
 
 CBU athletics website

 
Universities and colleges affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention
Education in Riverside, California
Universities and colleges in Riverside County, California
Universities and colleges established in 1950
Schools accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
1950 establishments in California
Baptist Christianity in California
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Private universities and colleges in California
Aviation schools in the United States