CBU celebrates graduates at summer commencement ceremonies
Riverside, Calif. (Aug. 19, 2022) – While the temperatures were rising outside, excitement was rising inside the Events Center at California Baptist University during the summer 2022 commencement ceremonies. Students received cheers and encouragement from friends and family members during three ceremonies on Aug. 17-18.
Combined applications for summer 2022 commencement included 58 candidates for doctoral degrees, 582 for master’s degrees and 311 for bachelor’s degrees for a total of 951 applicants.
“Each of these graduating students has arrived at this point because of a shared commitment to the challenging yet rewarding endeavor of higher education. Graduates, you have faced many difficulties and yet you persevered,” said Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of CBU. “The faculty and the entire university family join me in saying we are proud of you, and we pray God’s blessings upon you.”
In giving the graduates words of advice, Dr. Anthony Dockery, chair of the CBU Board of Trustees, referred to the words of David before he faced Goliath in I Samuel 17.
“I selected that passage because you have already slayed some Goliaths in your life, you've already slayed some bears as well as some lions. And now you're moving to the next chapter, the next phase of your life,” Dockery said. “Know that God has already equipped you and prepared you to face whatever Goliaths you may have in your profession.”
In the commencement address, Ellis told the graduates their effort in academics paid off.
“Today, all the demanding work and sacrifice poured into your college years finally pays off. The goal you have been pursuing at last is at hand,” Ellis said. “You have successfully navigated the various requirements, deadlines and assessments necessary to receive your diploma.”
Ellis said he hoped that CBU provided a foundation for the graduates’ ambitions and dreams as they moved forward.
“May you also take with you a continuing passion for learning, the friendships made, and the life lessons gained during your college years,” Ellis said. “My earnest hope and prayer is that each of you will embrace this new beginning with Lancer enthusiasm.”
Jenna Rivero, who earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, said CBU helped prepare her to enter the field by equipping her with the skills needed to work in a variety of settings. After graduation, Rivero will work at a school.
“They placed us in different settings throughout our two-year program,” Rivero said. “We’ve experienced both ends, working with children and adults.”
Lindsey Supple, who also earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, said the program offered plenty of clinical rotations.
“We had our different experiences all around, and we each were able to choose the path we wanted to take,” Supple said. “I’m excited to work in a private practice with pediatrics.”
Mauro Moreno, who received a Master of Business Administration, said the program helped him get a manager position.
“The program set me up with leadership skills and that is a key role in business,” Moreno said. “It took a deep dive into the decisions that have to be made, and how marketing goes into a product and how that product gets into the customer’s hands.”