New graduates encouraged to embrace new beginnings

 

POSTED ON May 09, 2024

 

California Baptist University (CBU) recently held five graduation ceremonies from April 22-24, where it celebrated the accomplishment of 1,819 graduates who completed their degrees.

These graduates consisted of 24 doctoral degree candidates, 619 master’s degree candidates, and 1,176 undergraduate degree candidates.

CBU was recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in 2011. By the fall of 2022, more than 40 percent of the student population was Hispanic.

During the ceremonies, Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU’s president, praised the graduates for their hard work and dedication in earning their diplomas.

Dr. John Montgomery, the associate vice president for student services, delivered the commencement address, where he encouraged the graduates to embrace their new beginnings. 

CBU also recognized graduates who achieved academic excellence. One of them was Kaili Osselaer, who received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, with a minor in theology.  

As the only female student in her graduating class, she was worried about being sidelined. However, she found that her professors and classmates treated her with respect and gave her support.

Kaili was the vice president of the Society of Women Engineers, played intramural sports, served as an intern with Spiritual Life, and participated in international service projects. In an interview with CBU, Kaili encouraged incoming students to get involved and make the most out of their CBU experience. Read the full interview here 

In October 2023, CBU received a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to launch a new program called Preparados para el Exito, which translates to “Prepared for Success“. This five-year program will support the university’s growing Hispanic student population, improve retention rates, and increase degree completion rates for low-income students.