CBU to honor five alumni at awards banquet February 17

RIVERSIDE (February 14, 2012) – California Baptist University will honor five alumni for professional and athletic contributions at the Alumni Awards Banquet February 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the Copenbarger Presidential Dining Room on campus during Homecoming weekend. The two-day celebration, set February 17 & 18 at CBU, includes alumni and student events, a Block Party featuring family activities, and basketball games.

John Tavaglione, a 1987 business graduate, is the 2012 Alumnus of the Year. The five-term Riverside County Supervisor is being honored for his outstanding professional contributions. Tavaglione has served the second district for 18 years, representing the unincorporated communities of Coronita, El Cerrito, Home Gardens, Highgrove and the cities of Corona, Eastvale, Norco, Jurupa Valley and the western half of the City of Riverside. Tavaglione's district accomplishments include the construction of the Jurupa Aquatics Center, Rubidoux Fire Station and the Home Gardens Library and Community Center.

Alumna Chrystal Kern, a 1976 accounting and criminal justice graduate, is the recipient of the 2012 Lancer Medal for exemplary effort in maintaining alumni interest in California Baptist University and outstanding contributions in her profession. Kern is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee that aims to strengthen relations between the two countries. Previously, she served as CFO for APCO Worldwide, the fourth largest privately held public affairs agency in the world.

During the banquet, three former Lancer athletes will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Yajaira Prado Cadet, who played women's volleyball in 2004 and 2005, is among the honorees. Cadet was a member of CBU's 2004 and 2005 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship teams. During her career she was named to the 2004 NAIA All-Tournament Team and the 2004 NAIA All-American first team. Cadet also holds the fourth-highest single-season kill total in Lancer women's volleyball history with 616.

Steven Ferreira, a Lancer baseball player from 2001 to 2004 also will join the prestigious ranks of CBU hall of fame athletes. A three-time All Golden State Athletic Conference player, Ferreira is one of three Lancers who hold this distinction. Ferreira's career records include: 274 hits, rank: 1; 51 doubles, rank: 2; 158 runs batted in, rank: 2; and 396 total bases, rank: 2.

Track and field champion Milton Browne is also among this year's inductees. Browne, a member of the 1999 NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championship team, holds 11 CBU records including the 4 x 400 and 4 x 800 relays. He is a five-time NAIA national champion, a seven-time NAIA All-American and is a member of the 1999 NAIA National Championship Team.

California Baptist University offers 100 undergraduate majors and concentrations and 30 master's degree programs. Founded in 1950, CBU is a private comprehensive institution located in Riverside, California and 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.

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