History

1921 - Building that currently houses the Annie Gabriel Library is constructed

1927 - Administration Building is constructed

1934 - W. E. James Building is constructed

1950 - P. Boyd Smith is named first president

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

1951 - Olie T. Brown is named first dean of students

1953 - California Baptist Convention assumes full responsibility for California Baptist College

1953 - First Angelos yearbook is published

1954 - College is chartered by the State of California

1954 - Eight students become first to earn undergraduate degrees from CBC

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

1955 - CBC moves to Riverside campus

1955 - Magnolia Avenue Baptist Church is organized by faculty, staff and students

1955 - Lancer mascot is named

1956 - Dewey H. Jones organizes the first competitive basketball team

1958 - Dr. Loyed Simmons is named second president

1960 - Annie Gabriel Library is dedicated

1960 - The Roundtable becomes the official campus publication for alumni

1961 - CBC receives full regional accreditation granted by the Western College Association

1964 - First candle lighting ceremony takes place

1964 - Lancer Arms Apartment buildings are constructed

1964 - CBU enrollment reaches 500

1968 - Simmons Hall and Smith Hall are constructed and dedicated

1968 - Van Dyne Field House is constructed and dedicated

1968 - Dewey H. Jones is appointed first academic dean

1969 - California Chapter of Beta Alpha Chi is installed

1971 - Dr. James R. Staples is named third president

1971 - Annie Gabriel Library adds 100,000th volume

1973 - The Wallace Book of Life Building is dedicated

1975 - Physical Plant/Maintenance Building is constructed

1979 - $800,000 note for the Riverside campus is paid

1984 - Dr. Russell R. Tuck is named fourth president

1984 - First graduate degree is granted

1984 - Accreditation is granted by National Association of Schools of Music

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

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

1989 - Bob and Dorothy Pentz Tennis Center is constructed

1990 - First Evening College classes offered in High Desert

1994 - Dr. Ronald L. Ellis is named fifth president with enrollment at 808

1995 - First students enroll in Master of Education degree program

1995 - Enrollment reaches 1,000

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

1996 - Enrollment reaches 1,500

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

1997 - Enrollment reaches 2,000

1998 - Lambeth House is purchased

1998 - Willow Wood Apartments, Pine Creek Villas are purchased

1998 - California Baptist College officially becomes California Baptist University

1998 - The U.S. News & World Report listed California Baptist University among the top five regional liberal arts colleges for student-faculty ratio

1998 - Aquatic Center is constructed

2000 - 50th anniversary celebrated

2001 - Willow Wood Apartments and Pine Creek Villas officially become University Place Apartments

2003 - Eugene and Billie Yeager University Center is completed

2003 - Graduate students participate in inaugural graduate commencement (separate from undergraduate exercises)

2004 - Phase I of The Cottages is completed

2004 - First "Spirit of Excellence" gala is held

2005 - Woodman of the World Building is purchased

2005 - Royal Rose and Rose Garden Apartments are purchased

2005 - Evening College Program officially becomes Adult Degree Completion Program

2005 - First Adult Degree Completion Program classes are offered in Beaumont

2005 - School of Nursing is established

2005 - Van Dyne Gym renovation is completed

2005 - Adams Villas Apartments are purchased

2005 - Phase II of The Cottages is completed

2005 - James Complex North Wing/Garrett Room renovations are completed

2005 - JoAnn Hawkins Music Building is completed

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

2006 - Magnolia Hacienda Apartments is purchased

2006 - Lutheran Church of the Cross is purchased

2006 - Adams Plaza is purchased

2007 - Lancers Outdoor Sports Complex is completed

2007 - School of Engineering is established

2007 - Organic chemistry lab renovation is completed

2007 - Army ROTC program is added

2008 - Lambeth House (School of Nursing) renovation is completed

2009 - Bourns Engineering Lab is established

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

2010 - CBU celebrates 60th anniversary

2010 - International Service Projects surpasses sending out 400th participant and 200th team since the 1997 founding of the program

2010 - College of Allied Health is established

2010 - Division of Online and Professional Studies is established

2010 - Enrollment reaches 4,715

2010 - CBU is named as a top-ranked university for the fifth straight year and is listed as a 2011 "Best Regional University" by U.S. News & World Report

2010 - Membership is approved in NCAA Division II, Pacific West Conference

2010 - Inaugural "Block Party" is added to homecoming

2011 - Wellness Center opens

2011 - Adams Plaza is renamed “Lancer Plaza”

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 - College View Apartments is renamed "Lancer Palms Apartments"

2011 - Groundbreaking for School of Business Building takes place

2011 - Enrollment reaches 5,413

2011 - CBU is named as a top-ranked university for the sixth straight year and is listed as a "Best Regional University" by U.S. News & World Report

2011 - First certificate program (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is offered

2011 - ISP celebrates 15th anniversary

2011 - CBU becomes inaugural collegiate division of the CSBC disaster relief program

2011 - Microbiology and general chemistry lab renovations are completed

2011 - New classrooms are added to the Village, Mission Hall and the School of Engineering

2011 - Discovery U summer academic camp program is introduced

2011 - Campus expands to 128 acres

2011 - 1000 parking spaces are added

2011 - 100 undergraduate majors and concentrations are now offered

2011 - College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design is established

2011 - School of Engineering becomes College of Engineering

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 - The class of 2012 numbers 1,365, the largest in the 62-year history of CBU

2012 - CBU sends out 300th ISP team

2012 - CBU is approved for 3rd year candidacy in NCAA Division II

2012 - School of Business Building is dedicated

2013 - Recreation Center is dedicated

2013 - FedEx donates Boeing 727 to aviation science program

2013 - CBU is listed as one of the "Best Regional Universities" by U.S. News & World Report for the eighth straight year

2013 - CBU honors 1,117 graduates at spring commencement

2013 - Online and Professional Studies ranks #25 in the nation for "Best Online Bachelor’s Programs" and #10 in "Best Online Programs for Veterans" by U.S. News & World Report

2013 - CBU is granted full membership in NCAA Division II

2013 - Fall enrollment exceeds 7,100 students

2013 - Aviation science program opens flight school

2013 - CBU ranks #13 in the West among "America's Best Colleges for Veterans" by U.S. News & World Report

2014 - CBU honors 1,335 graduates at spring commencement

2014 - Online and Professional Studies ranks #13 in "Best Online Bachelor's Degree Programs for Veterans" by U.S. News & World Report

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

2014 - CBU sends out 400th ISP/USP team

2014 - CBU advances in U.S. News & World Report rankings for ninth straight year

2014 - School of Nursing Annex and Prayer Garden are dedicated

2014 - Enrollment reaches 7,957

2014 - CBU honors Dr. Ronald L. Ellis' 20th year as president

2014 - CBU is listed on President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

2015 - CBU food ranks #3 among California universities by Niche.com

2015 - CBU Online advances among online bachelor programs in U.S. News & World Report rankings 

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 - Fall enrollment reaches 8,541, eclipsing “8080 by 2020” enrollment goal, five years ahead of schedule

2015 - Construction begins on 153,000 sq. ft. CBU Events Center

2015 - College of Health Science campus opens

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 - Class of 2016 has 2,218 applications for graduation—tops 2,000 for the first time

2016 - CBU hosts inaugural Courtyard Shakespeare Festival

2016 - School of Nursing becomes College of Nursing

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

2016 - CBU receives third consecutive top-40 ranking for “Best Regional University” by U.S. News & World Report

2016 - CBU breaks ground for new 100,000 sq. ft. Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering building

2017 - CBU announces acceptance into Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and transition to NCAA Division I

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

2017 - CBU Online ranks #8 nationally among “Top Online Education Programs” by U.S. News & World Report

2017 - “Mounted Lancer” sculpture is installed at CBU Events Center

2017 - CBU dedicates Events Center

2017 - School of Behavioral Sciences becomes the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

2017 - CBU celebrates inaugural commencement ceremonies in the Events Center

2017 - Drumline is added to CBU Pep Band

2018 - CBU Homecoming activities return to spring semester

2018 - Wellness Center moves to 3626 Monroe St., adjacent to College of Health Science campus

2018 - Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building opens for fall semester

2018 - CBU conducts inaugural summer commencement ceremonies

2018 - 2,848 candidates for graduation make Class of 2018 largest ever at CBU

2018 - “Inspiration” sculpture is unveiled at CBU

2018 - The Habit Burger Grill opens at CBU

2018 - CBU Lancers begin competing in NCAA Division 1, Western Athletic Conference

2018 - Fall enrollment at CBU surges past 10,000 for first time (10,486)

2018 - CBU receives fifth consecutive top-40 ranking as “Best Regional University” by U.S. News & World Report

2018 - Chronicle of Higher Education ranks CBU #8 among fastest-growing U.S. colleges (2006–2016)

2019 - CBU launches the Leadership Studies, Ph.D. program, the first Ph.D. program and fifth doctoral degree program at CBU

2019 - Psychological Services of Riverside (PSR) opens

2019 - CBU Online ranks #42 nationally among “Top Online Education Programs” by U.S. News & World Report

2019 - Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building at CBU is honored with top award for “New Construction with Landscaping” by Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful program

2019 - Dr. Ronald L. Ellis receives Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from Boy Scouts of America and is honored as 2019 Distinguished Citizen by the Mt. Rubidoux District

2019 - CBU surpasses 5,000 ISP volunteers since start of program in 1997

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

2019 - East Parking Structure opens in Lancer Plaza, providing more than 1,450 additional parking spaces

2019 - CBU opens new main entrance to campus from Adams Street to Lancer Lane

2019 - Couch’s Corner, which includes the food concepts “Delect-a-Bowls” and “Shake Smart,” opens

2020 - Doctor of Social Work program is launched

2020 - CBU offers all online courses during spring semester in response to COVID-19

2020 - The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and Inland Empire honors the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences as its 2019 Partner of the Year

2020 - CBU Adams Street entrance receives Riverside beautification award from City of Riverside

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

2020 - CBU Online earns a #52 spot among national bachelor’s programs in the 2020 “Top Online Education Program” for U.S. News & World Report

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

2020 - Magnolia Crossing campus housing opens

2020 - CBU receives seventh consecutive top-50 ranking as “Best Regional University” by U.S. News & World Report

2020 - Fall enrollment totals 11,317 despite coronavirus pandemic

2020 - CBU ranks first in California and fifth nationally among private universities helping students with social mobility

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

2021 - CBU Online ranks #67 nationally among “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” by U.S. 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 - CBU holds 12 in-person spring commencement ceremonies to honor 2021 and 2020 graduates

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

2021 - CBU received eighth consecutive top-50 ranking as “Best Regional University” by U.S. News & World Report

2021 - Fall enrollment reached 11,491 students

2021 - Chronicle of Higher Education ranked CBU No. 7 among fastest-growing U.S. colleges (2009–2019)

2022 - NCAA board approved CBU's Division I membership status

2022 - CBU combined the music and theatre programs in the Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Performing Arts

2022 - CBU Student Senate formed (replacing the Associated Students of CBU)

2022 - Fall enrollment reached 11,496 students

2022 - CBU Soccer Stadium completed and dedicated

2022 - CBU received ninth consecutive top-50 ranking as “Best Regional University” by U.S. News & World Report and earned the No. 2 spot for “Most Innovative Schools”

2023 - CBU announced gift of $28.5 million and the naming of The Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center

2023 - Soccer and softball fields honored with award by Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful program

2023 - President Dr. Ronald L. Ellis inducted into the Riverside Sport Hall of Fame

2023 - CBU tied for No. 1 in the country for career preparedness and No. 2 for best student experience in The Wall Street Journal’s 2024 ranking of the Best Colleges in the U.S.

2023 - CBU received 10th consecutive top-50 ranking as “Best Regional University” by U.S. News & World Report

2023 - Fall enrollment reached 11,580 students

2023 - Hae and Shina Park Building named — houses the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business, Career Center and Innovators Auditorium

2023 - CBU received a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a program aimed at improving higher education outcomes for Hispanic and low-income students