CBU celebrates graduates at Spring 2026 ceremonies
Riverside, Calif. (April 29, 2026) — Excitement filled the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center in anticipation of spring commencement at California Baptist University. Over five ceremonies held April 27-29, family and friends cheered enthusiastically, celebrating and honoring the graduates for their achievements.
Applications for graduation consisted of 36 candidates for doctoral degrees, 678 candidates for master’s degrees and 1,187 candidates for undergraduate degrees for a total of 1,901 individuals.
“Each of these graduating students has arrived at this point because of a shared commitment to the challenging yet rewarding endeavor of higher education,” said Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of CBU. “Graduates, you have faced many difficulties and yet you persevered. We congratulate each one of you for reaching this milestone.”
In the commencement address, Dr. John Montgomery, associate vice president for Student Services, told the graduates they persisted in their academic journey to reach this accomplishment.
“Commencement is a celebration that marks the beginning of one of life’s greatest joys – using your God-given gifts to serve others,” he said. “Keep trusting that God will guide each step He has planned for you.”
Chrystal Kern, a CBU Board Trustee, gave the invocation at the ceremonies. Referencing II Corinthians 12:9, she encouraged the graduates to claim God’s grace.
“As you walk today, you’re taking the first steps in the next phase of your journey with Jesus,” she said. “You will probably have a few difficult days. When you do, don’t view them as difficulties, but let the power of Christ rest upon you. Claim God’s promise of His sufficient grace and see God’s power be made perfect in you.”
Nathan Gordon, who earned his Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, said CBU helped him in aligning values with where he wants to make a change.
“It was really about focusing on how you can make the most impact either where you currently are or where you want to go,” he said.
Gordon, who works for a nonprofit that helps adults with disabilities, had been accepted to CBU as an undergrad but was unable to attend. When his wife told him about the graduate program and that it would be a good fit, he checked it out.
“God led me back here when it came to the master's program,” he said.
Vanessa Glynn, who earned a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, wants to have a private practice someday. She said the program gave a “whole-world perspective.”
“Not only did the professors prepare me academically but spiritually,” she said. “It wasn't just about academics and what was in the textbook, but they found a way to incorporate real life and faith as well.”
Audrey Easter, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Visual Experience, looks forward to starting a job as an assistant designer at Pacsun in May.
“CBU taught me how to connect my faith with my career and to pursue the passions that God has given me,” Easter said.
Like Easter, Kyra Hayden also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Visual Experience. “This experience has grown my connection with God and with people,” she said.
Hayden hopes to illustrate children’s books or be a designer for a zoo. This was inspired by her recent capstone project in which she wrote and illustrated a book about zoo animals.
“Wherever I end up, I hope to use my skills to benefit others and glorify God. I wouldn’t be where I'm at without God’s guidance,” she said.
Nicolas Garay earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. After graduating high school, he wanted to go into the Naval Academy, but the pandemic was happening.
“Some people told me that the best engineering experience was actually at CBU,” Garay said. The university’s tight-knit community, small classroom size and the fact that it’s a Christian school all motivated Garay to choose CBU.
Along with getting married this upcoming summer, Garay will move to Philadelphia for a cybersecurity job.
Hannah Anich earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Among learning how to steward her gifts well, Anich invested and was invested in by peers as a resident advisor.
“CBU has prepared me well for my career, how to engage with others, how to share the gospel and be an effective steward of what the Lord has given me,” Anich said.
During the ceremonies, CBU also recognized two students who achieved excellence in their academic accomplishments.
Rafaela De Figueiredo, an international student from Sao Paulo, Brazil, received the Min Sung Kim International Student Award. De Figueiredo, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science, served as a member of the CBU Student Senate, speech and debate team, FYE leadership team and Student Success Office. She was also inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society.
Grace Bergquist, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, received the Outstanding Senior Award. Bergquist was on the women’s water polo team. In engineering, she contributed to projects on tissue elasticity prediction and subliminal learning in large language models. Beyond CBU, Grace is a recipient of the Department of Defense SMART Scholarship, completing multiple internships at the Naval Surface Warfare Center.