2024 spring commencement: Jenna McConnell, Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance
Riverside, Calif. (April 19, 2024) – Spring commencement is fast approaching at California Baptist University. Excitement is in the air as more than 1,800 students prepare to become part of the class of 2024.
CBU will hold five ceremonies for graduates to celebrate with family and friends on April 22-24.
To celebrate the upcoming commencement, we spoke with students from CBU’s schools and colleges to learn more about what made an impact on their journey in the Lancer Nation. Today we are highlighting Jenna McConnell, who will earn a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance.
Answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Why did you choose to attend CBU?
I chose to attend CBU because my dad works here (Matthew McConnell, director of events and strategic projects). He's the percussion and audio guy in the music building, and I grew up on this campus. I hoped to come here and experience this like all the college students I saw.
Tell us about a professor or a staff member who helped you on your journey?
One of my favorite staff members here at CBU is Courtney Ladd, administrative assistant for the School of Performing Arts. I have worked for the past four years as a student worker in the music building with her. She's helped develop some of my professional skills as well as my character and who I am. I've looked up to her a lot and she's always been there encouraging me and pushing me to be the best person I can be, whether it's with my work or with my music.
What is the special part of attending CBU?
I think a really special part about attending CBU is the community that you get here. I started as a freshman in 2020, during COVID, so I started all my freshman classes on Zoom in my bedroom on my computer. I didn't know a single person at CBU, and I believe that I made the most friends that freshman year over Zoom because we were all experiencing the same isolation. When we came back sophomore year, it was as though we had already known each other for a really long time. I am very lucky to still call almost every single one of those original students from Zoom my dearest friends here as we're coming towards the finish line.
How did CBU help prepare you for your future?
I had great professors along the way who pushed me to be the best that I can be. They helped give me the skills needed to make this my future. Their kindness and hope for you to succeed is going to help me immensely when I get to the real world and have to do everything by myself.
What advice would you give to an incoming student?
My advice for incoming students would be to say yes to everything that you feel comfortable saying yes to. If someone's inviting you to go do something after your classes, say yes. Say yes to going to that concert. Say yes to Fortuna Bowl, to the basketball game. All of that stuff you experience only in college.
