Grandparents Day celebrated again at CBU

Riverside, Calif. (April 8, 2022) - Over 250 grandparents of students visited California Baptist University for Grandparents Day on April 7.  

Josh Moss, senior director of alumni, parent and donor engagement, said it was a joy to see the love poured out during the event. 

“The event is designed to provide an opportunity for grandparents to see into the life of their grandchildren and experience college life with them,” Moss said. “Students love to see the grandparents around campus and interact with them.”

The event began with a welcome session that highlighted the various factors that make CBU unique. Grandparents then had an array of options to enjoy, including chapel, watercolor workshops, music performances, leadership and Bible classes and a performance of “The Wizard of Oz,” CBU theatre’s latest production. 

Additionally, grandparents were invited to tour CBU’s campus and enjoy lunch and dinner with their student.  

Dr. Paul Eldridge, vice president for University Advancement, said it was a privilege to welcome grandparents to campus after a two-year hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.  

“Grandparents Day was one of the first major events we had to cancel, and we made that decision because we wanted to be really sensitive to our grandparents,” Eldridge told the visitors. “We are so glad to have you here again.”  

Gabrielle Burrow, an intercultural studies junior, spoke during the welcome session. She said she can go overseas and spread the word of God through an International Service Project with CBU because of the support of her grandparents.  

“Through their finances, prayer and encouragement, my grandparents were overwhelmingly generous,” Burrow said. “This made a huge impact on me because they expressed support for me and my calling. This showed me the value of family and building relationships between generations.” 

Mary Lopez flew out from Missouri to spend the day with her grandson, John Lopez II, an architecture sophomore.

Coming from a Catholic background, Lopez said she felt very welcomed on CBU’s campus and was moved by the chapel service.  

“This is God at work,” Lopez said. “So long as you have trust, faith and believe, that’s really all you need.”