California Baptist University (Cal
Baptist or CBU) is a private, Christian, liberal arts university located in
Riverside, California, United States. Originally founded in 1950 as California
Baptist College, it is controlled by the California Southern Baptist
Convention, an organization affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
CBU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. 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
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 more spacious
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 addition to more than 110,000
print volumes and 150,000 e-book holdings, the library provides access to over
30,000 journals titles and 79 databases. The library has a growing collection
of more than 17,000 DVDs and streaming videos. Along with a research computer
lab, the library is equipped with wireless service throughout the building.
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 when this particular style was popular. The
Mission Inn in downtown Riverside is also built in the Mission Revival style.
Buildings that have been built on campus have followed this architectural
tradition.
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.
2005 saw the building and completion
of the JoAnn Hawkins Music Building, which houses the Collinsworth School of
Music.
A new building for CBU's Jabs School
of Business was dedicated and opened for use in August 2012.
A new Recreation Center building was
dedicated in January 2013 offering a wide range of physical fitness options to
students and employees.
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.It is the first time in CBU's more than
60-year history that the institution has received the maximum accreditation
extension.
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 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)
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.
California Baptist University is
incorporated under the laws of the State of California as a university of arts
and sciences, and as such grants the degrees of Bachelor of Applied Theology,
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Music, Master
of Science and Master of Business Administration