RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2014) — Homecoming at California Baptist University drew an estimated 7,500 alumni and friends to Homecoming and Family Weekend activities Nov. 7-8.

The Anniversary Reunion Tea held Friday afternoon recognized the classes of 1954, 1964 and 1989, who celebrated their 60th, 50^th and 25^th reunions.

The 2014 Alumni Dinner held that evening showcased the incredible growth of world-wide relations and partnerships under the leadership of Dr. Ronald L. Ellis during his 20 years of service to CBU.

Christian music artist Jonathan Thulin, a Swedish-American recording artist and songwriter, provided the entertainment.

Eva De La Rosa ('02 and '07) received the Distinguished Service in Christian Ministry Award. De La Rosa has been helping women for years. She founded California's first Christian Women's Job Corps. She is executive director of the California Woman's Missionary Union & Women's Ministries. In this role, she oversees women's ministries and missions groups for more than 2,200 churches, providing training and leadership development. She also serves as education director at New Hope Community Church in El Monte, where her husband is pastor.

Josh Moss ('03 and '07) was honored as recipient of the Young Alumni Achievement Award. Moss started teaching with Alvord Unified School District in 2003. In 2007, he became program manager, overseeing after-school programs and activities for at-risk youth within Alvord USD. He has worked his way up and became principal at a middle school this past summer. He also teaches as an adjunct in CBU's education credential program.

Sue (nee Rogers) Etheridge ('68) received the Alumna of the Year award. When she left CBU in 1968, she was one semester shy of graduating with a degree in Spanish. She returned to college to get her bachelor's and then her master's in art therapy. For the next 24 years, she worked in the federal correctional system as an art therapist, providing psychiatric assessment and treatment of inmates through the analysis of their artwork. Earlier this year, she was honored as an "Unsung Hero of Compassion" by the Dalai Lama Foundation. Today she works in the state prison system.

Dr. James Forkum ('69) was recognized as the recipient of the highest honor given by the CBU Alumni Association: the Lancer Medal for Lifetime Achievement. His career has included positions as professor, head coach, academic and athletic administrator, admissions director and recruiter at numerous colleges around the United States. He was inducted into CBU's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987 for men's basketball. In August 2014, Jim and his wife, Sherry ('73), began a new adventure at Schutz American School in Alexandria, Egypt. Jim will establish and oversee the first official interscholastic athletics league in Alexandria.

Saturday featured the fifth annual Block Party. The program included the artisan walk, live entertainment, gourmet food trucks, interactive booths and children's activities.

Saturday night's program included meeting former NFL players, including Kermit Alexander. It also featured the crowning of seniors Joshua Perez as Mr. CBU and Catherine Rice as Ms. CBU. More than 4,000 people cheered for the men's and women's intramural teams competing in the Fortuna Bowl. In a rematch from last year's game, the Bus Drivers women's team beat SWAT, 18-0, while in the men's contest, The Webelos beat Fruit of the Boom, 8-0.