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I t’s been a while since I last wrote an email that didn’t start with I hope you’re doing well during this COVID season. So I feel like it’s only fitting that I use this line to intro duce Angelos 2020-2021. I hope you’re doing well. Let’s not pretend we aren’t a little upset at this year. Instead of frenzied cheers at basket ball games, late night conversations and hurried searches for life partners, we battle racial injustice, a divisive election and a global pandemic. The list seems to get longer every month. In the middle of all these changes, you might be wonder ing, how could we possibly have ended up with adapt for this year’s theme? OK, you probably aren’t but just play along. To adapt, according my personal definition, is to orient yourself toward excellence in response to turbulent sur roundings. This year presented every student, faculty and staff member with a choice: the choice to metaphorically turn on or off our Zoom cameras. For a lot of us, myself included, it’s infinitely easier to shut ourselves off to the world while we put our plans on pause and wait out a solution, but that’s not adapting. Adapting is accepting that our lives might never be the same after 2020. Adapting is deciding to use the seasons we’re given as a chance to grow. Adapting is turning on our cameras, facing our weaknesses and orienting ourselves toward the One who is most excellent. This book, as you might notice, is shorter than it has been in recent years, missing many pages typically filled with stu dent activities and traditional events. For this historic year, that’s our way of adapting. Instead, at risk of sounding cheesy, the pages in this book tell a story of one Lancer Nation building community through creativity and determination — the story of many students who choose to smile even brighter despite the masks that cover their mouths. It’s an honor to be telling this story.

PHOTO Hannah Lapos

Editor’s Note

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Table o f CONTENTS

14-21

70-77

COVID-19 The highs, lows and important dates of the pandemic that defined the year

40-43

49-50

MISTY KRUGER PROFILE Former nurse finds a fulfill ing career path by return ing to her art passion

STUNT TEAM Meet CBU’s newest women’s sports team

2020 ELECTION The results and reactions to national and local elections

86-89

DIRK DALLAS PROFILE Photography professor releases book and builds community centered on drone shots

110-111

118-123

128-129

STUDENT FAITH Churches and Bible studies adapt to cultivate faith

BLACK LIVES MATTER Revisiting the 2020 protests and the fight for change

MANAGING CLASS Faculty share how they’ve been handling the year

140-149

PRACTICING LANCERS Athletes pursue excellence both in practice and in competition

PHOTO Alex Iannone

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PHOTO Danielle Lutjens

Lancer Stats *From Institutional Research

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Top 5 Majors j rs Top

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76% Retention Rate

Undergraduate

Graduate

Doctorate

8109 2889 319

Degree Ranking

Class Ranking

Seniors - 31%

Juniors - 25%

Men 34%

Women 66%

Sophomores - 21%

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Freshmen - 23%

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Hispanic/Latinx 4323

Native American/Alaskan

Multiple Races

598

White 3832

African American/Black

917

754

Asian

86

428

Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian

Unknown

DESIGN Hannah Lapos

Who We Are

11

WHAT’S

Magnolia Crossing NEW?

Summer of 2020 may have been a time of unconventional rest for students, but behind the scenes, the CBU administration worked intently to polish new programs and infrastructures for Lancers come fall. These shiny additions offer students new ways to live their purpose on campus.

Just across the street, Magnolia Crossing is the latest addition to off-campus student residences. With spacious study spaces and rooms that house four to six students each , students can enjoy community away from the bustle of the main campus.

With food available for meal swipes and all the convenient living essentials found in Campus X-press on main campus the Market gives Magnolia Crossing residents the freedom to dine closer to home. The Market

Like its name says, stunt takes all the technical rigor of cheer and leaves out the crowd-leading aspects. From tumbling to pyramids, the stunt team allows for CBU to expand its athletic reach and take on new competitive challenges. Stunt Team

To meet the rising demand of students and companies, CBU now offers traditional degrees in sustainability and elementary education and OPS degrees in interdisciplinary studies and sport and performance psychology . New Undergraduate Programs

WORDS Eunice Hahn

PHOTOS Caleb Chong Raegan Lee Eunice Hahn

DESIGN Elijah Martinez

New at CBU

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COVID- 19 ILLUSTRATION Hannah Lapos Tracking the global pandemic that redefined the year California** CBU World*

JAN. 9 China announces novel coronavirus strain in Wuhan.

JAN. 21 CDC confirms first case of novel coronavirus in the U.S.

JAN. 25 California announces first confirmed case of coronavirus in Orange County.

JAN. 29 200 Americans fromWuhan evacuate to the March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County to be quarantined.

*According to American Journal of Managed Care **According to Calmatters.org

COVID-19

15

It started on a NewYear's Eve...

A ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first case of a novel coronavirus strain was recorded in Wuhan, China, on Decem ber 31, 2019. Roughly two months and 2,549 cases later, the infectious outbreak was given a name: COVID-19. While the early symptoms, on paper, can appear similar to the common cold or flu, the high transmission rate of this virus made it a dangerous pandemic that quickly shook the world. California is one of the states hit hardest by the novel coronavirus, with Riverside County having the second highest county case numbers as of Oct. 20. For residents and businesses alike, this virus is too close to ignore. Schools from preschool to university moved online for

the fall, and restaurants cut operating hours and transitioned to curbside pickup and partnerships with delivery apps to mini mize loss of income. However, amid the setbacks, flexible, science-based cooperation has proven to be the key factor to fighting this virus. From the global collaboration of the CDC and the World Health Organization to the interstate dedication of the Western States Pact, lead ers around the world maintained regulated guidelines to prevent further spread and bring the globe back to a healthier and safer environment. Politicians, celebrities and school ad ministrators all echo the same sentiment: We are all in this together.

FEB. 3 Trump administration declares public health emergency.

FEB. 11 WHO names new coronavirus strain CO VID-19.

MARCH 4 California Gov. Gavin Newsom declares state of emergency.

MARCH 8 Riverside County declares local emergency.

WORDS Anyssa Gonzalez

PHOTO Luc Stringer

DESIGN Eunice Hahn

GHOST CAMPUS A typically bustling walkway was completely empty when campus closed over the spring and summer.

MARCH 11 WHO declares COVID-19 a global pandemic.

MARCH 12 CBU extends spring break to March 13-27 to plan for COVID-19 procedures.

MARCH 13 Trump administration declares national emergency.

MARCH 14 CBU announces the rest of spring semester will be moved to online instruction. Campus is closed.

17 COVID-19

I want to thank the entire Lancer Nation for your understanding and patience as we make significant adjustments to address a difficult and dynamic situation.

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis CBU president

MARCH 16 Spring commencement is postponed to summer.

MAR 19 Newsom issues state wide stay-at-home order.

MAR 27 Congress designates funds

APR 18 CBU creates COVID-19 task force to strategize and develop a plan to reopen.

for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic

Security (CARES) Act and a vaccine project, Operation Warp Speed.

WORDS Eunice Hahn

PHOTO Luc Stringer

ILLUSTRATIONS Hannah Siefkes

EVENTS C A N C E L E D

Because of campus closure, CBU students missed some of the following spring and summer events.

Commencement Spring and summer 2020 com mencement exercises were moved to a virtual ceremony in December 2020.

Study Abroad Students spending spring 2020 abroad in areas with high COVID-19 cases were called back to the States. Summer study abroad was canceled.

Sports All spring 2020 athletics were halted midseason.

International Service Projects All ISP trips were canceled save for certain

trips that used limited video conferencing.

APR 23 CBU announces plan to reopen in-person instruc tion for Fall 2020.

MAY 8 Newsom signs executive order to send mail-in ballots to all California voters for November general election.

MAY 12 California State

MAY 26 California surpasses 100,000 COVID-19 cases.

University system an nounces virtual fall semester.

Story Title | 23 19 COVID-19

ENDLESS SPINNING Matisse Rainbolt expresses her Mexican heritage through dance on TikTok. Her highest viewed video under her account @matisseazul has more than 800,000 views.

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MAY 17 Summer session 2 classes begin in person.

MAY 28 U.S. becomes the nation with the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

JUN 10 U.S. cases reach 2 million.

JUL 16 Spring and summer commencements are pushed to fall.

WORDS Lawrence Luck

PHOTO Luc Stringer

DESIGN Eunice Hahn

20

The summer of 2020 was full of unexpected changes, to say the least. Despite canceled summer plans, CBU students share how they kept themselves busy with new pandemic hobbies.

Matisse Rainbolt Junior psychology major

What were some unexpected highlights of your summer?

“I posted videos sharing my culture and dance on TikTok, and they blew up! I love how I was able to make new friends in different countries and states through social media. It made summer a lot more fun than I could have expected.”

Celine Ong Sophomore instrumental performance major

What’s a skill you worked on over the summer?

“I did a lot of violin practicing. I wasn’t able to go back home to Hong Kong, so I stayed with a professor and friend. Many plans got canceled, but it was still fun. One night, me and my professor stayed up playing our instruments from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m..”

Russell Barlow Junior international business major

Who did you spend your lockdown with?

“Social distancing meant I wasn’t able to hang out with my friends. I ended up hanging out with my family a lot more. Even though I couldn’t get out as much, I was really glad for the time to strengthen my time at home.”

JUL 22 California surpasses New York as the state with most COVID-19 cases.

JUL 30 CBU announces move to virtual instruction for the Fall 2020 semester. Housing is reopened.

AUG 28 Newsom reveals new four stage color-coded plan to reopen California counties.

AUG 31 Fall semester begins.

21 COVID-19

A fres h Perspective

A QUICK BITE Freshmen Lani Lee, public relations major, Grace Randall, physical therapist assistant major, Josiab Her, psychology major, and Summer Costello, elementary education major, have lunch at El Monte Grill during their break from classes. Freshmen adjust to unconventional new year

W hile COVID-19 caused many schools to remain closed for the Fall 2020 semester, California Baptist University stayed open to welcome new freshmen. However, staying open meant a drastically different college experience for incoming students. Instead of enjoying Welcome Weekend, CBU held its new student orientation online. With most classes online, nightly temperature checks and new housing restrictions, freshmen who chose to on campus faced unexpected challenges. Still, new students are finding positives through the chaos: spiritual growth, good food, caring resident advisors and a thriving community life. Josiab Her, freshman psychology major, chose CBU because of the school’s response to COVID-19.

“Considering COVID-19 restrictions, CBU is working well and providing what they can in this situation,” Her says. Anna Chiu, freshman actuarial sciences major, praises Residence Life for their efforts to cultivate community despite the changing circumstances. “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, CBU continues to be as welcoming as possible and I truly appreciate that about them in such times,” she says. “The RAs are wonderful and have done a good job in giving us opportunities for building community.” Though students miss the traditional undergraduate experience, freshman like Chiu know to remain hopeful, trusting that “God is doing something big.”

Thoughts on Online School

“I’m not at all upset about not being able to have all in-person classes! To still be able to come to campus to at least have a lab in person and talk to other people in my classes has been a highlight because after months in quarantine I get to have real human interaction again in a school setting. Granted, I can’t wait for classes to go back to normal.”

Kimberly Cartagena Freshman forensic chemistry major

“Even though I didn’t have any expectations, I’m really sad to not be able to experience normal campus activities. Still, I’ve been enjoying it, and during the weekends, CBU is always empty, so I normally go out of CBU and do different activities with my friends.”

WELCOME TO MY CRIB ( ABOVE ) Anna Chiu, freshman actuarial science major, stands in front of Simmons Hall, the women's freshmen dormitory. SIX FEET APART Anna Chiu and Annah Krause, freshman communication studies major, hang out in the lobby of Simmons Hall in between online classes .

Filipa Capelo Freshman marketing major

WORDS Joanna Ingold

PHOTOS Kengkue Her

DESIGN Elijah Martinez

23 Freshmen Experience

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Student travels across cross-country amid COVID-19 ROADTRIP W a m d e r l u s t

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F or many students, COVID-19 equated to canceled trips and summer plans. However, for Amanda Kurowski, senior intercultural studies major, a fall apartment lease gave her the perfect opportunity to close the summer on a highnote. With her best friend, Elisabeth Iserman, a CBU alumna, and her cat, Lemon, the trio made the cross-country trip from Maine to California. Originally from New Hampshire, Kurowski moved back to her home state from Riverside after campus closed. Once fall semester approached, with a leased apartment waiting for her back in California, Kurowski needed a way to move her stuff across the country. The answer came in the form of a close friend. “I purchased a car over the summer meaning to drive it out to California because I got an apartment for this coming school year. So I hit up my friend Bizzie (Elisabeth), who flew to New Hampshire to drive back to California with me,” Kurowski says. From this point on, the two friends and furry companion took a scenic trip back to campus, stopping at travel hotspots such as Niagara Falls and Chicago along the way.

“Bizzie and I both love to travel and have always wanted to do a trip like this,” Kurowski says. “(We hadn’t) seen each other since March, when I moved back home to New Hampshire, so it was great to catch up with her and see the entire country. It was so much easier of a trip than it seemed going into it,” Kurowski says. Beyond a rekindled friendship between the two, they were also lucky enough to meet other friends along the way. “We got to see a friend in every place that we stopped, except for Niagra Falls, which was so sweet,” Kurowski says. Though traveling may seem expensive, she says careful planning made their road trip college-student friendly. “We were able to budget this trip so well using Groupon and credit rewards for gas; also McDonald’s has $3 large iced coffees. It is so worth it and way easier than it seems to drive across the country,” she says. Despite the pandemic, Kurowski used her love of traveling to make the most of her last summer as a college student.

WORDS Anyssa Gonzalez

PHOTOS Courtesy of Amanda Kurowski

ILLUSTRATION Kia Harlan

25 Amanda Kurowski

GLOBAL HEARTS

Since 1997, International Service Projects have allowed mission minded students to spend part of their summer in service over seas. However, for students that spent spring 2020 training and fundraising, this was not the case. Amid the cancelled tickets and mailed refunds, students reflect on their ISP experience.

Dilan Ajtun Junior biomedical sciences major

Where were you planning to go for ISP?

OVER HERE Dilan Atjun and Janet Lee point to Zambia and South Asia, their respective ISP locations, on the Kugel.

I was planning to go to Zambia, South Africa.

Do you have any fun memories with your team?

My best memories would have to be all “The Office” and “SpongeBob” references that were thrown out during meetings and group chats. We also had cultural dinners, where we ate cuisine from South Africa to get used to the type of food we were going to be exposed to.

Do you think you’ll apply again next year?

Heck yeah. I’d love to actually go somewhere and do my part in spreading the gospel. Janet Lee Senior history and politcial science double major

Where were you planning to go for ISP?

South Asia.

What was your initial reaction when ISP got cancelled?

I think it was definitely disappointing. It’s rough when something you’ve spent months training for — preparing, praying over and really dedicating time — doesn’t happen. But at the same time, I don’t think any of that training was a waste.

Did you do anything in place of those trips?

I don’t think there were a lot of physical alternatives because of travel restrictions and stuff ... But my team still had weekly Zoom meetings and Bible studies that we kept up with each other until our original departure date.

WORDS Hannah Lapos

PHOTOS Luc Stringer

DESIGN Hannah Lapos

27 ISP

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE NURSING? “Nursing is a great way to show God’s love and serve in a time of need. Learning the material can be really challenging but it’s a great feeling when you can apply your knowledge and it’s exciting to see the other people in your cohort learn and grow alongside you.”

Amelia Moore Junior nursing major

“I’ve always found medicine to be so interesting to me, and I knew I wanted to be in a profession that served others. I found that nursing perfectly embodied both of those passions.”

Cambria Osborn Junior nursing major

“I mean, have you seen our scrubs? I honestly don’t think there are major differences between us and other majors besides our schedules and clinicals. I love how a nurse can make a big difference in a patient’s life.”

Naomi Barrientos Senior nursing major

“I work with newborn babies; I work with children; I work with teenagers; I work with adults; I work with the elderly. I’ve been able to hold patients’ hands in their last moments. Nursing is one of the only careers where you get the privilege to see everyone in their life stages.“

Kelly Conrad Junior nursing major

HIDDEN PARADISE Nursing students find refuge from a long class day in the outdoors and greenery located in the center of the Nursing Annex

WORDS Eunice Hahn

PHOTO Shabnam Shaikh

DESIGN Eunice Hahn

29 College of Nursing

Is This the Real Life? While all other nursing classes went virtual, socially distanced nursing simulations remained the only in-person aspect of the fall nursing pro gram. With focuses that change from year to year and cover a variety of fields, College of Nursing students share how their simulations gave them practice applying their theoretical knowledge to the real world.

Mental Health

“I think the simulationwas a good example of what to and to not do. The teachers put actors in particular positions that would throw you off when your job is to keep a patient safe. We had to learn to work together and delegate tasks amongst other students — just like in a hospital where you have to work with doctors, nurses and PCA — to get the job done.”

Ariana Aninag Senior nursing major

WORDS Eunice Hahn

PHOTOS Courtesy of College of Nursing

DESIGN Eunice Hahn

Elderly Care

“One thing that I realized after my simulation is that anything can happen with your patient, which means you always have to be prepared to give the highest care possible. We need to be knowledgable in our practice to know exactly what is going on with our patient’s health in order to communicate that with the doctor, since ultimately, we know our patients best.”

Keturah Ursua Junior nursing major

SIMULATION CPR Simulations require preparation from a team of professionals that ranges from three months to one year. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s simulations were accomplished by limiting groups to two and pivoting toward telehealth scenarios

Athletic Training

Global Outreach

“To prep for my nursing International Service Project trip to South Africa, we went into a room set up to look like one of the villages we would be encountering.”

Jacqueline Lee Junior nursing major

Nursing Simulations

31

ROOMING IN a time of ‘ron a

Why did you choose to live on campus?

“I have a class on campus and I live far from home. Plus, I love campus life and I wanted to be a part of that community even though it’s a little different this year.”

The hallways that are typically full of boxes and excited greetings were unusually empty on move in day. While the Office of Residence Life worked to make dorms as socially distant as possible, many

students had to make the decision to stay at home for the fall semester or move back into a different campus from the one they had always known. Some students share their thoughts on how COVID-19 impacted their fall living situations.

Brianna Gonzalez Freshman pre-nursing major

What are some challenges living on campus?

“With these changes in housing it’s been challenging meeting new people. However, since I don’t have a roommate in Simmons, our hall has been trying to connect by sitting in our hallway and hanging out with each other.”

Kylie Williams Freshman environmental science major

What’s it like living off-campus?

“Living at home compared to living on campus as a resident advisor last year has been a huge adjustment. My favorite part about CBU is the community, and a part of my job was to build that community. However, this season of life has taught me that my community this year is more centered in intentionality. For example, my (former) roommate and I have been sending each other memes and having FaceTime house party dates.”

Natalie Garvin Junior biomedical engineering major

UNCONVENTIONAL LIVING Chang-Hyun Bae, junior international business major, and Caleb Lee, senior marketing major, joke through a cardboard room divider. The room dividers were a temporary makeshift safeguard provided by Residence Life at the beginning of the fall semester.

WORDS Hannah Siefkes

PHOTO Kengkue Her

DESIGN Eunice Hahn

33 Housing Changes

Asking Athletes: Although this season is different, what is something you are looking forward to?

Senior kinesiology major Zach Lowery

“During this season, I’m looking forward to the bubble that CBU provides because it allows our team to bond on another level without worrying about outside dangers coming in. I’m also looking forward to putting in work with my brothers in the water in order to prepare for the spring.”

“I’m looking forward to be able to train and compete after quarantine.”

Junior biology major Kiree Lowe

WORDS Faith Brazil

PHOTOS Danielle Lutjens Reagan Lee

DESIGN Caleb Chong

“I’m looking forward to a sense of normalcy again, just as everyone else. But there are still many things to appreciate about this season. I am looking forward to bond ing more with my teammates and also meeting new people here on campus —when social distancing allows of course. We are all sharing this crazy experience together, we might as well make the most of it!”

Junior computer science major Sophomore healthcare administration major Belle Balkan Robert Moseley

“Spending time with my friends! Over the four months where we couldn’t really see each other, I realized just how much I value the relationships I have developed at CBU and what each person I know here means to me. Even though I can’t compete right now, I am more than happy to just be here on campus spending time with my friends, learning new things and being back in the pool.”

“I’m just looking forward to being back with my girls, even though things look different like practices and our season in general. But spending time with my team is something I will always cherish. ”

Junior public relations major Jamie Hutton

35 Athlete Aspirations

Madelyn Josse Senior marketing and leadership studies double major

What has helped you adapt to this change of worship?

“What helps me stay in the right mindset when worshiping virtually is remembering all the people that are listening. Just because people may not be there doesn’t mean that the spirituality of it has changed or that Christ can’t move those virtually.”

Anna Chilson Senior public relations major

What do you appreciate most about this new version?

“I appreciate the reflection questions when watching Chapel. When given the chance to respond, they allow me to apply the message to my life in a meaningful way.”

Brett Vowell Director of Chapel

How are the speakers this semester?

“Our speakers have really knocked it out of the park! They have all adapted well to this different way of preaching and presented some very stirring and impactful messages. And it really draws you in as a viewer when they are looking at you directly, eyeball to eyeball even through a camera lens.”

Faith Hyden Senior psychology major

How has this new version of chapel helped you reflect?

“I think everyone has learned how to appreciate the fellowship of being together and praising the Lord as a community.”

PURPOSE WORSHIP The band prepares to record the music portion of Chapel.

Online Chapel Chapel staff provide virtual way to worship

O ne of the biggest contributors to California Baptist University’s spiritual community is weekly Chapel. For years, Chapel has been a way for all students to come together with friends, classmates and faculty for fellowship and worship. However, with social gathering restrictions this year, the Spiritual Life office knew Chapel could not be the standard, packed Events Center affair it once was. To adapt to the changes, the team took Chapel online and created a new system in which students can log on, watch and respond to a pre-recorded video of speakers and the worship team. Brett Vowell, director of Chapel describes the behind the scenes of planning and compares it from previous years. “We are intentionally filming our worship music sets and Chapel speakers at least two weeks prior the date in which the video is made available to students for credit,” Vowell says. “And with all of the additional elements that have been added to this online format,

it takes a very detailed timeline and well-thought structure in order for it all to work together.” Vowell further explains that even though there is a level of challenge, online Chapel provides a unique opportunity for growth. “We are working to personalize the messages and the associated written responses so that students can benefit by reflecting upon and applying what they’re learning,” Vowell says. “I know we will all welcome the day when we can gather in the Events Center once again, but I think there will be some aspects of this specialized online format that will be missed and possibly treasured.” With major changes shaping the year, the Chapel team worked to produce a way where students can interact and learn more about God, even if it’s behind a computer screen.

WORDS Hannah Siefkes

PHOTOS Alex Iannone

DESIGN Caleb Chong

37 Chapel

Off to the race s While the start of their year bustled with applications and accep tance letters, the statewide lockdown left 2020 graduates with canceled commencements and an unsure entrance into an shaky economy. Two alumni touch on their experiences and share how they learned to live their purpose outside of their college campus.

Kiani Margolis ’20 B.A. in film

What were your initial post-grad plans?

I was going to intern at Dolby Labs in Burbank, Calif.

Did COVID-19 change those plans?

Yes! The Dolby internship got postponed to an unknown date, so I was jobless for a little bit. I ended up pivoting and accepting an internship with a company in Hawaii and planned to move there for the summer. Of course, COVID had to ruin that, and it was canceled as well. Do you think you learned anything from this experience? trust in the Lord and understand that his plan for my life is far greater than my own. I don’t necessarily know if I’ve adapted to the changes because I’m still trying to plan my future, but I am so grateful for the time I had to spend time with my family. It definitely taught me that I have zero control over my life. I need to completely I have moved to Los Angeles and am currently a hostess at Duke’s Malibu, which is ironic because I said I would never be the girl who moves to L.A. with a dream to work in entertainment and ends up in a restaurant, but here I am. My Dolby internship starts again in January, so I’m just waiting for that. What are you up to now?

QUARANTINE ESCAPE Kiani Margolis spent part of her summer in Vail, Colo., with her family to enjoy the scenery.

Caelan Thompson ’20 B.A. in political science

What were your initial post-grad plans?

My plan post graduation was to attend law school and earn my juris doctorate.

How did COVID-19 change those plans?

Not by much. I’m now a first year law student at the University of La Verne College of Law, although it’s via Zoom for the time being. It’s good that we are still able to learn during such uncertain times, but it definitely takes a lot more effort to find reliable internet and focus. Do you think you learned anything from this experience? Online school has definitely showed me that adapting to tough situations is a natural part of life. I’m glad I’m learning how to adapt; it’s better to have this skill now rather than when I am much older.

CONGRATULATIONS Caelan Thompson celebrates with friends upon hearing the news of his acceptance into law school.

WORDS Eunice Hahn

PHOTOS Courtesy of Kiani Margolis and Caelan Thompson

DESIGN Eunice Hahn

39 Alumni Update

WATERCOLOR BLENDING Misty Kruger, senior art therapy and graphic design double major, demonstrates how she makes her watercolors from flowers and other pigments.

Finding Purpose in chang e Former nurse describes her winding journey to art therapy O n the journey to happiness, change is inevitable. And sometimes, the road to our purpose is longer than would provide for my children.”

Her life as a nurse, while fulfilling, came to an abrupt stop 11 years later when she got into a car accident. With brain injuries and fibromyalgia that would cause chronic pain and fatigue, Kruger found she was no longer able to continue her nurse duties. This led her to reassess her life and perception of herself. “I realized I had developed my iden tity with my accomplishments of becom ing a nurse,” Kruger says. “So any value that I had in my life was because I had accomplished this job. I was drawing my value from my ability to find a solution or help others. It made it a true struggle of mine to realize that my value is because of who God made me and not because of the things I do.” So, in the process of healing, Kruger returned to her first love to find inspira tion: art. Putting aside her role as a care taker, she learned to rediscover herself as the subject of her life through each paint ing and sketch. “I feel like we have these God-given talents, but for me drawing and art has always been my escape ever since I was a kid,” Kruger says. “As a child, I got a lot of encouragement with my art, which I always appreciated. In comparison, when it came to caretaking, I was never told I was good at my job. I was just expected to get the job done. Art was something new and positive,” Kruger says. u

we could ever predict. This is certainly true for Misty Kruger, senior art therapy and graphic design double major, who found her passion for art after working for years as a nurse. Kruger’s journey begins as young child passionate about drawing when she moved in with her uncle, who was a Marine. Being the oldest child, she says she was responsible for her siblings and cousins at the military base while her uncle left on deployments. “Since my mom had to work and my aunt was in and out of the hospital, (life on the military base) made me step into a caregiver role,” Kruger says. “I learned tools to survive, such as how to evaluate the situation and figure out the dynamic. Also, I learned how to fly under the radar and not draw a lot of attention.” While her love of art never faded, her experience as a guardian taught her to view her purpose in relation to the needs of others, so when she grew up and had children of her own, art took a backseat to the immediate needs of her family. This outlook ultimately played a large role in her career decision to become a nurse. “Being a nurse came very naturally,” Kruger says. “Having to be so responsible as a child (helped) when it came (time) to have my own child — I took on those responsibilities of wanting a career that

PHOTOS Tonia Ross

WORDS Hannah Siefkes

DESIGN Hannah Lapos

41 Misty Kruger

Kruger says this ability to pro tect her personal value while help ing others led her to return to uni versity and choose art therapy and graphic design as her new majors. “When I was a nurse, I enjoyed

ing me there’s too much going on in an effort to pro tect my emotions. However, when you tell your mind ‘I’m strong enough to handle this’ and prepare yourself, you protect your body from needing to react.”

HERE TO SERVE Kruger formerly worked as a nurse in Kaiser Permanente.

being the person that people depended and relied on. However, with art, I can help people through the things I do natu rally, and, when it turns into something that I wouldn’t normally be doing, I can draw a firm line,” Kruger explains. Art therapy has also provided more than just a creative outlet for Kruger. The understanding she gained on the mind’s effect on the body allows her to combat her fibromyalgia today. “I’ve realized how my body reacts

Even if her work isn’t seen as valuable by the masses, Kruger says she knows that her service does not need to be defined by anyone other than herself. By living her purpose as an artist, she helps others. “When I create an art piece and it helps people then that’s fulfilling,” she says. “I realize now that if I never have a profession in a helping field, knowing that I’m creating art and being an encour agement to the people I see every day — those things are

to my emotional health,” she says. For instance, if I’m dealing with stressful situations in my household and I get a mi graine, it’s my body’s way of tell

living my purpose. I don’t need to be out there with a title to know that I have self-worth.”

SHADES OF GREEN Kruger mixes the color “Hanna’s Magnificent Mint.” She sells her handmade paints through her business A Creative Life.

“ Knowing that I ’ m creating art and being an encouragement to the people I see every day — those things are living my purpose. ” Misty Kruger Senior art therapy and graphic design double major

Scan to see Misty’s watercolor websit e

43 Misty Kruger

Students from ABROAD

For students with homes overseas, the decision of whether to stay or leave at the onset of the pandemic came with more permanent implications. Students who went home did so knowing the chances of returning to campus would be slim, and students who were forced to stay in the U.S. knew they would be here for the long haul. Here are their thoughts on the start of school.

Ukrain e

Marharyta Smirnova Junior public relations major “We are getting tested for COVID

quite often, which makes me appreciative that I can be less

worried. The training looks different this season, but this does not stop us. We accept new rules and follow them because a lot depends on it: the state of our health, and (the health of ) our trainers and staff. In this regard, we treat new rules with great responsibility and understanding.”

Buse Topcu Junior nutrition and food science major

When we got the email (that classes would move online), I decided to go home as soon as possible. There is a 10 hour time difference between Turkey and the United States, and that difference hits me really hard. Some days I have to wake up at 1:30 a.m. and do my classes until 5 a.m., then I go to morning practice at 6:15 a.m. I sleep two or three times in a day now. It is really hard to catch up on school work and go to practice with that kind of schedule, but I am determined to do it no matter what.

Turke y

Courtney Watson Director of International Student Services The International Center’s reaction

Franc e

“We sent out a survey asking what students’ needs were, or what concerns they had about returning to the States after the university made the announcement to move to an online format, as we knew there would be hundreds of questions to answer. We wanted to communicate to our students that we are still here for them and are happy to navigate these changes with them. It also required us to be flexible responding to their needs and doing some advocating across campus as special situations came up, like students needing early housing because the only flights available out of their home countries would have them arriving well before the start of classes.”

I got stuck on campus from March all the way until June. I was able to go home in June for seven weeks before I came back, but (being forced to stay) on campus was frustrating and depressing. Romane Salvador Senior marketing major

Levi Hargrove Senior nursing major

Turke y

“For me the biggest impact (I’ve experienced) this year is how

understanding the professors are during COVID-19. I’ve had a lot of professors reach out and ask how I’m doing and one professor even stated, ‘I usually pray for my class as a whole, but this semester I’m praying for you all by name.’”

WORDS Kelly McKittrick

PHOTOS Luc Stringer

DESIGN Eunice Hahn

45 Global Students

MIC TEST 1 2 3 Music students wait outside the recording studio where the musical magic happens.

MUSIC STUDENTS SEEK NEW PERSPECT IVES “Hearing a variety of different music I previously wouldn’t even consider listening to has helped me expand my creative repository. The experiences and opportunities I’ve had through the School of Music have allowed me to grow tremendously, both as a composer and as a person.”

Micah Burgess Junior composition major

“Life is all about the connections you make and the School of Music makes sure that you as a performer are connecting to the audience and you as a believer are connecting to God.”

Ramah Shirly Junior worship arts and ministry major

“The School of Music has opened up my eyes and made me realize it is important to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself as a musician.” Melissa Blanco Senior music education and instrumental performance major

“One of the coolest things about being a music major is that we get to hear from and interact with experts in the industry. ...I’ve been blown away by the wealth of knowledge we’re receiving.”

Anna Crabtree Junior instrumental performance major

WORDS Faith Wicks

PHOTO Kelsie Stevens

DESIGN Eunice Hahn

47 School of Music

UCO Brings Easter Hope

University Choir and Orchestra virtually showcases music

O n April 11, 2020, CBU’s University Choir and Orchestra students virtually performed the original song “Sing the Story (Hallelu jah, Amen)” with John Bolin, dean of the School of Music, to spread a much-needed message of hope and encouragement to hundreds of viewers shortly before Easter. This virtual performance uploaded on YouTube features 58 UCO participants and John Bolin, CBU alum and song co-writer, singing lyrics illustrating every tribe and every nation bringing glory to God on his throne. Bolin says that during a season of gloom, they hoped the virtual experience would be a source of encouragement people across the country. “Singing the story of the gospel gives us great hope as we remember all of who God is, all of what God has done, all of what God is doing and all of what God will do in the future,” he says. The song was co-written by Hector Jimenez, as sistant music professor, arranged by John Bolin and orchestrated by musical composer and GMA Dove Award nominee Bradley Knight. To create this event, participants individually recorded themselves, and the videos were synchronized by Travis Maclay, director of operations and assistant music professor. The video now has close to 40,000 views. UCO participants sing lyrics that remind believ ers that this life will fade, and they will enter an eternal life of joy and peace, rather than sickness and suffering. One of the participants Janelle Smith, Christian studies and Christian behavioral science double major, says she was excited by the message because “music has that special ability to transcend communication barriers and reach people in what ever season they’re at.” Whether in person or virtually, UCO brings hope through God’s story brought to life in their music.

Scan to watch the performanc e

WORDS Faith Wicks

DESIGN Kia Harlan

49 UCO on YouTube

Hitting Up the Local

Clubs allow like-minded students to get together and find community. However, with restrictions on large gatherings, CBU clubs have found virtual homes on new platforms. Club leaders share how they’ve managed to adapt to the switch and how their clubs serve the student body.

club s

“From the major changes in our time I realized that we needed to utilize social media in order to continue, because that’s something that most people have access to. One tool in particular that was helpful was Instagram Live, because I was able to host these workshops and made it accessible to everyone.”

What has holding clubs right now taught you?

Art Club

Emme Evans Junior art therapy major

“The whole reason we exist is because we feel like we should care about the vulnerable populations, just like Jesus did in Isaiah 6:8. Our club is one of the only clubs that deals with the oppressed and low minority participation groups, and our affiliation with the IJM organization also typically allows us to travel to big conferences.”

What is unique about your club?

International Justice Mission CBU chapter

Amanda Kurowski Senior intercultural studies major

“Our club is still relatively new, so we’re trying to grow and get started under COVID conditions. For example, we’ve made everything virtual. We do Zoom meetings, Instagram advertisements and sign-ups on the InsideCBU website.”

How are you making your club COVID-19 safe?

Psychology Club

Andie Gonzales Junior psychology and sociology double major

JOIN THE CALL Environmental science club holds their club meeting through group video call.

WORDS Lawrence Luck Hannah Siefkes

PHOTO Kelsie Stevens

DESIGN Elijah Martinez

Clubs

51

IT’S GETTING HOTTER

E veryone knows that California summers are notoriously hot, but during what should have been an average summer, Cali fornia and several U.S. states witnessed record high tempera tures. These high temperatures sparked blazes, and the year 2020 saw more than 8,000 fires break out across California. Locally, the River side Apple Fire burned more than 30,000 acres of land. These severe wildfires caused Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency Aug. 18. The White House reacted to this state of emergency by declaring a presidential major disaster Aug. 22 to help support California’s emergency response to the fire. “Thank you to the president for your partnership and granting this urgent Major Disaster Declaration,” Newsom said in a press con ference. “California is battling the largest fires in our history caused by dry lightning strikes. ... These are unprecedented times and condi tions, but California is strong, we will get through this.” For some students, the fires were close to home. Kaia Shrum, sophomore chemistry major, said she could see and smell smoke from her house in Northern California, where the fires have been severe. “It is scary and heartbreaking,” Shrum says. “It shows how cli mate change affected the environment and how unstable things are. The fires could destroy a lot of people’s lives, which is very scary.” Ashley Anderson, sophomore commercial performance major, said she did not see the fires from her house, but her parents saw the fire and ash on their property in Northern California. Anderson said some restaurants near her house had to close because the air quality was too unhealthy to be open for outdoor dining. “The fires are tragic and sad,” Anderson says. “I hope all of the fires are able to be contained soon.” Miranda Johnson-Phillips, senior environmental science ma jor and president of the Environmental Science Club, explains the causes behind the fires. u Originally published in the Banner newspaper Frequent fires cause concern

53 Cali. Fires

“The environment has particular limits just like people. As temperatures have been getting higher and heat waves have been going for longer in the envi ronment, the trees along with the leaves and twigs around the area are dry and can catch on fire more often,” she says. Johnson-Phillips explains the steps students can take to combat these fires and help California recover by taking small steps. “We can start by having everyday items that are sustainable such as reusable bags, water bottles, etc. Also, decreasing our use of single-use items can go a long way in decreasing our ecological footprint.”

She also recommends using water and electricity wisely in our dining areas, living rooms, and class rooms. “I think that students can be empowered by actually tracking their decrease in use of water and electricity. They can track this through their water (or) electricity use on their monthly statements as well through ecological trackers that calculate the amount of energy and water or plastics that are saved for different monthly (and) annual usage. By having tangible results in students life it will encourage them to stay consistent.” As our climate continues to be a cause for con cern, CBU students have a duty to be careful of their global impact and do what they can to maintain a healthy environment.

Facts on Cali. Fires

Information was last updated Oct. 26, 2020.

8,834 FIRES

AUG. 16 129.9 F HOTTEST TEMP SINCE 1931

4,317,646 ACRES BURNED

PREVIOUS MOST DESTRUCTIVE 2018 FIRE SEASON BURNED:

1,670,000 ACRES

TOP 5 LARGEST WILDFIRES BY DESTROYED ACREAGE

2020 AUGUST COMPLEX 1,032,264

2018 MENDOCINO COMPLEX 459,123

2020 SCU LIGHTNING COMPLEX 396,624

2020 CREEK FIRE 365,714

WORDS Kaylee Elrod Joanna Ingold

PHOTOS Alex Iannone

DESIGN Eunice Hahn Hannah Lapos

2020 LNU LIGHTNING COMPLEX 363,220