CBU celebrates graduates at fall 2024 commencement ceremonies

Riverside, Calif. (Dec. 12, 2024) – While the December day was cool outside, excitement inside the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center made the two fall commencement ceremonies warm and bright on Dec. 12.

Family and friends celebrated as each name was called and the graduates at California Baptist University walked across the stage. A total of 878 students were eligible to participate. Combined applications for graduation were 34 candidates for doctoral degrees, 290 for master’s degrees and 554 candidates for undergraduate degrees.

“Each one has overcome obstacles to achieve this goal,” said Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of CBU. “Graduates, you have faced many difficulties and yet you persevered. We congratulate each one of you!”       

In the commencement address, Dr. John Montgomery, associate vice president for student services, congratulated students for reaching their goal.

“Today, all the demanding work and sacrifice poured into your college years finally pays off,” he said. “You have successfully navigated the various requirements, deadlines and assessments necessary to receive your diploma.” 

Montgomery encouraged the students to continue life with the same resolve that guided them throughout their education journey.

“You are ready to move on to what lies ahead in life, no doubt better prepared than you might imagine for whatever that may be,” he said.

Joy White, who earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice, became chief nurse officer at a hospital system in Oregon in August. Her doctorate project focused on providing emotional support to women who miscarried in the emergency department. Her goal is that every emergency department in her hospital system will use the resources from her research.

“My faculty advisor, Dr. Rebecca Meyer, was the consummate coach and critic to make sure the work would have impact,” White said. “The curriculum's amazing. The faculty are super supportive.”

Cesar Palos has previously earned a graduate degree from CBU, and this week he received another one: a Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology. He appreciated the smaller classes and the faculty at CBU.

“They are very personal and always available,” he said. “The classes are rigorous. They give you what you need to go out into the field, preparing you for the real world. It’s not just textbook material. They prepared me tremendously to be able to go out there and perform.”

Jose Mota, who received his Master of Public Health, said his professors were great at keeping the class connected through the online courses.  

“The way it was set up, I just felt connected to my professors, and if I reached out to them, I knew they would get back to me and help me,” Mota said.  

Kelsie Byrd, who previously earned her undergraduate degree at CBU, received her Doctor of Nursing Practice. She works in the emergency department of a local hospital and is an assistant professor of nursing at CBU. She appreciated the faculty pointing the students to Jesus, especially during the journey of earning a doctorate.

“It's not necessarily about us, but how God will use us to fulfill His kingdom’s work. They say He is going to guide you,” Byrd said. “You just have to remember that it is divinely appointed; He wrote the story and we're just the vessel.”