RIVERSIDE, Calif. (March 8, 2016)—Dr. Art Cleveland, vice president for University Advancement for California Baptist University for more than four years, has announced he will retire effective April 30, 2016.

Cleveland's retirement comes after more than five decades in education as a professor and administrator. He served as CBU's interim Vice President of Institutional Advancement for a year before being named in January 2012 to lead the division that was later renamed University Advancement.

"I have been honored to be a part of California Baptist University for nearly 10 years and University Advancement for about five of those," Cleveland said. "I appreciate all the support I have been given at CBU, especially from President Ellis."

Cleveland said he plans to move to a role outside of higher education to do more writing and pursue opportunities in consulting.

As CBU's top development officer, Cleveland was involved in a number of significant achievements including an anonymous $10 million gift to the university announced in January, the first eight-figure gift in CBU history. He also led restructuring of the advancement team to provide focused fundraising support for a variety of academic programs and projects as well as CBU athletics.

Cleveland joined CBU as dean of research in 2006 after serving as president of Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska. He previously held a variety of faculty positions with six state universities and faith-based colleges in Georgia, South Dakota and Texas.

Cleveland received a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Texas, Arlington; and a Master of Arts in biology and Ph.D. in biology from the University of North Texas. A prolific author, he received several academic honors, published numerous papers and articles, and was invited to present papers around the globe.

"I am grateful for Dr. Cleveland's contribution as a member of the CBU leadership team," Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, said. "We wish him all the best as he concludes a distinguished career in higher education."

A national search will begin immediately to fill the vacancy created by Cleveland's retirement, Ellis said.