Newest Lancers arrive for Welcome Weekend
Riverside, Calif. (Sept. 4, 2023) – The newest Lancers received a warm and enthusiastic reception as they arrived at California Baptist University for Welcome Weekend, Sept. 1-3. More than 2,000 new freshmen and transfer students are registered to start classes this fall at CBU.
The weekend started with residential freshmen and transfer students moving in on Sept. 1. As students showed up at their living areas with vehicles full of luggage, student volunteers lined up to help them move in.
“I'm excited to hang with my roommate because I don't know anyone at CBU,” said Eliana Rotunno, a freshman from Dinuba, California. “I'm really excited meet people. I thrive in that environment — connecting with other students and finding my community.”
Nathan Sherwood, aviation management freshman, chose CBU because it is a faith-based university that had his major and for “the good food.”
“I’m most looking forward to spending time at the airport,” Sherwood said. “I am also looking forward to the various opportunities for social interactions.”
The day also included sessions for first-generation students, an academic open house and a Welcome Session.
During the Welcome Session, new students and their parents were introduced to leaders on campus, including Dr. John Montgomery, associate vice president for Student Services; Dr. Micah Parker, vice president for Athletics; and Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president. The audience members learned about CBU’s values and had the opportunity to have some fun, too, by learning the CBU fight song.
“Enjoy life, savor life. But do it God’s way … be the type of person who looks at the glass and sees it half full,” Montgomery told the students. “Be present. Enjoy the moment you have right now. You may be challenged but see the joy in the moment.”
Other events throughout the weekend included connecting with First-Year Experience groups, which are designed to help the transitional needs of new students; attending a movie night to watch “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”; experiencing Spiritual Life Night and watching the men’s soccer game against Loyola Marymount University.
“We want CBU to feel like home as quickly as possible,” said Gavin Andrew, director of new student programs. “We pray that students find their community, feel a part of CBU, and are genuinely prepared to continue on their journey to graduation and beyond.”
Victor Barahona, an electrical and computer engineering junior, looked forward to the activities on campus. He transferred to CBU.
“CBU treats me like a person, an individual, and not just another student trying to get ‘done’ with classes. Everyone here has been supportive and helpful, guiding me through the process of getting here,” Barahona said. “CBU has so many events. And the staff and faculty encourage you to engage in those things and not just attend classes.”
Now a residence advisor in The Cottages, Jackie Rangel remembers meeting her RA for the first time and worshipping with her FYE group at a Spiritual Life event at Welcome Weekend,
“I'm looking forward to just creating community and fostering curiosity of the girls and being a vessel of God's love and God's truth for them,” Rangel said.
The weekend wrapped up with the return of Clash-N-Roll. Both new and returning students attended the event dressed in their craziest clashing outfits to play a massive game of Bunco on the Front Lawn.
Classes begin for the fall 2023 semester on Sept. 5.