Riverside, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2016) — Angelos Yearbook 2018 President Ronald L. Ellis announced a $10-million gift during the January meeting of the CBU Board of Trustees. It is the largest gift in the history of the institution.

Trustees applauded the announcement that Ellis said had been in the works for well over a year.

"We are very excited to announce this wonderful gift," Ellis said. "It's not that uncommon today for universities of our size to receive seven-figure gifts. We've received several. But to get an eight-figure gift is quite an honor."

Ellis said the donor wishes to remain anonymous. The gift will help fund construction of a three-story building encompassing 100,000 square feet to house the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering. With an estimated total cost in excess of $50 million, the CBU engineering building project is targeted for completion in the summer of 2018.

"This is going to accelerate the trajectory of the engineering program at CBU," Ellis said. "It is a tremendous highlight for CBU and we praise God for his providence."

Founded in 1950, California Baptist University is a private comprehensive institution located in Riverside, Calif. CBU offers more than 150 majors, minors and concentrations, as well as more than 40 graduate programs and two doctoral programs. Affiliated with California Southern Baptist Convention, CBU is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities, and the Consortium for Global Education.