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California Baptist University company history timeline

1950

On September 18, 1950, the Los Angeles Southern Baptist Association opened the doors of California Baptist College in El Monte.

1950 On September 18, classes begin for 42 students at First Southern Baptist Church in El Monte, CA

The college began operations with 42 students in Fall 1950; 120 were enrolled during the 1950–51 academic year.

The university was founded as California Baptist College in 1950 by the Los Angeles Baptist Association.

1951

1951 Olie T. Brown is named first dean of students

1953

1953 First Angelos yearbook is published

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.

1954

1954 Eight students become first to earn undergraduate degrees from CBC

1954 "CBC We'll Love You," composed by Doctor S.E. Smith, is adopted as the official alma mater

1955

In 1955, after four years of continued growth, the college relocated to larger facilities in Riverside.

1955 Lancer mascot is named

Soon, the college outgrew its facilities, and, in 1955, moved its campus to the then rural city of Riverside.

1956

1956 Dewey H. Jones organizes the first competitive basketball team

1960

1960 Annie Gabriel Library is dedicated

1961

In 1961 CBU received full accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

1964

1964 First candle lighting ceremony takes place

In 1964, the college began expanding with the construction of the Lancer Arms apartment complex and the student population reached 500.

1968

1968 Dewey H. Jones is appointed first academic dean

In 1968, Smith and Simmons residence halls were built and named in honor of the college's first two presidents.

1984

1984 First graduate degree is granted

Doctor Russell R. Tuck became the college's fourth president in 1984.

1986

1986 Board of Trustees votes to create the California Baptist College Development Foundation

1987

1987 S.E. Boyd Smith contributes P. Boyd Smith Hymnology Collection to the Annie Gabriel Library

1990

1990 First Evening College classes offered in High Desert

1991

In 1991, Wanda's Place was established, an on-campus cafe named in honor of a popular long-time college employee.

1995

1995 First students enroll in Master of Education degree program

1996

1996 California Baptist University becomes first college on West Coast to receive accreditation by Association of College Business Schools and Programs

1996 Metcalf Art Gallery opens

California Baptist College became the first college on the West Coast to receive accreditation by Association of College Business Schools and Programs in 1996.

1997

1997 Mission Hall, Fitness Center, Training Room and Athletic Offices are constructed

Since being established in 1997, ISP teams have served in more than 40 countries on 6 continents.

1998

1998 Lambeth House is purchased

2000

In 2000, the school's 50th anniversary was celebrated.

2001

The campus again expanded in 2001 with the addition of the University Place Apartments.

2004

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.

2004 First "Spirit of Excellence" gala is held

In mid-2004, new housing complexes were built, and later in the year the university enrolled its first students in the Masters of Music degree program.

2005

2005 Royal Rose and Rose Garden Apartments are purchased

2005 First Adult Degree Completion Program classes are offered in Beaumont

2005 School of Nursing is established

2005 James Complex North Wing/Garrett Room renovations are completed

2005 CBU is named "Business of the Year" by Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce

2006

2006 Adams Plaza is purchased

The School of Engineering was established in 2006.

2007

2007 Lancers Outdoor Sports Complex is completed

2007 School of Engineering is established

2009

2009 Bourns Engineering Lab is established

2009 1,000 students graduate in a single year for the first time in school's history

2010

2010 College of Allied Health is established

CBU added its College of Health Science in the fall of 2010 when enrollment exceeded 4,700 students.

2011

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.

2011 Wellness Center opens

2011 First-ever 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation is received from Western Association of Schools and Colleges

2011 Parkside Village Apartments is renamed "The Colony @ CBU"

2011 First certificate program (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is offered

2011 ISP celebrates 15th anniversary

2011 Discovery U summer academic camp program is introduced

2011 College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design is established

2011 Fall and spring commencements combined yield 1,147 graduates—the largest number of graduates in a single year

2011 CBU is approved for second year candidacy in NCAA Division II

2012

On August 23, 2012, CBU dedicated a new building for its Doctor Robert K. Jabs School of Business.

A new building for CBU's Jabs School of Business was dedicated and opened for use in August 2012.

2013

2013 CBU is listed as one of the "Best Regional Universities" by United States News & World Report for the eighth straight year

2013 Aviation science program opens flight school

2014

2014 CBU honors 1,335 graduates at spring commencement

2014 CBU's campus newspaper, The Banner, repeats its first place award at the National College Journalism Convention

2015

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

2015 Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (CBU's first doctorate) launches in fall

2015 College of Allied Health is renamed College of Health Science

2015 College of Health Science campus opens

2016

2016 Anonymous $10 million gift is announced; first eight-figure gift in CBU history to help fund new 100,000 sq. ft. building to house Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering

2016 Fall enrollment reaches 9,157 students—tops 9,000 for the first time

2017

2017 $15.5 million-plus revitalization of the College of Health Science campus receives a beautification award in the category of “Exterior Reconstruction with Landscaping” from the Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful program

2019

2019 Class of 2019 is CBU’s largest graduating class ever with some 2,775 students eligible to participate in fall, spring and summer commencement ceremonies

2020

2020 Doctor of Social Work program is launched

2020 Doctor Ronald L. Ellis is honored for 25 years of transformational leadership

2020 Division of Arts and Letters is created within College of Arts and Sciences

2020 Magnolia Crossing campus housing opens

2020 CBU honors 3,194 graduates in the class of 2020 in virtual commencement due to COVID-19

2021

2021 CBU Online ranks #67 nationally among “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” by United States News & World Report

2021 Magnolia Crossing is honored with third place for “New Construction with Landscaping” by the Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful program

2021 College of Health Science launches Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

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Founded
1950
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Headquarters
Riverside, CA
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Founders
Rodney K. Couch
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California Baptist University may also be known as or be related to CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY and California Baptist University.