Purpose-Driven Growth: California Baptist University Reaches Historic Milestones in 75th Year
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — In a landmark month that blends athletic triumph with institutional records, California Baptist University (CBU) is celebrating its 75th anniversary by reaching the pinnacle of its long-term strategic goals. As of March 2026, the university has officially surpassed its ambitious enrollment targets, secured major philanthropic gifts, and seen its premier athletic programs ascend to the national stage of NCAA March Madness.
Lancer Athletics: A Dual March Madness Appearance and Big West Transition
The “Lancer Nation” is currently in the spotlight of the intercollegiate sports world. On March 14, 2026, both the CBU men’s and women’s basketball teams captured the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) tournament championships. This rare feat makes CBU one of only six universities in the nation to send both its men’s and women’s teams to the NCAA Tournament this year.
The men’s team, led by head coach Rick Croy, earned a No. 14 seed and faced No. 3 Kansas in San Diego on March 20. Meanwhile, the women’s team, under the leadership of coach Jarrod Olson—who recently surpassed 300 wins with the Lancers—is scheduled to face No. 1 UCLA at Pauley Pavilion today, March 21, 2026. These appearances come at a pivotal time as the university prepares for its official entry into The Big West conference on July 1, 2026. This move is expected to heighten regional rivalries and further establish CBU’s footprint in Division I athletics.
To align with the “competitive excellence” required for the Big West, the university recently announced a restructuring of its athletic department. Vice President for Athletics Micah Parker confirmed that the wrestling, men’s golf, and men’s swim and dive programs will be discontinued at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season to focus resources on the university’s 17 remaining Division I sports.
25 Years of Consecutive Growth: Breaking Enrollment Records
Beyond the basketball court, CBU continues to defy national trends of declining college enrollment. In Fall 2025, President Ronald L. Ellis announced a total enrollment of 12,516 students, marking the 25th consecutive year of growth for the institution. This achievement officially met the “12 by 25” goal—a strategic vision set in 2015 to reach 12,000 students by the year 2025.
The growth is mirrored in the university’s physical and academic expansion. Recent developments include:
- A $5.3 Million Gift: A local couple recently donated a five-acre property featuring a 6,300-square-foot home and a botanical garden located just blocks from the main campus.
- Academic Expansion: CBU has doubled the class size for its Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and recently launched a new Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene.
- Campus Enhancements: The university dedicated its new 14,411-square-foot Baseball and Softball Clubhouse in late 2024, providing state-of-the-art facilities for diamond sports.
Leadership and Legacy: 75 Years of Mission
The university’s recent success is closely tied to the stable leadership of Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, who celebrated his 30th anniversary as president in January 2025. Since he took office in 1994, CBU has transformed from a small college of roughly 800 students into a comprehensive university with 10 colleges and schools offering over 100 undergraduate majors, 41 master’s programs, and 10 doctoral degrees.
Founded in 1950 as California Baptist College in El Monte, the school initially enrolled just 120 students in its first year. Under the leadership of its first president, P. Boyd Smith, the college moved to its current 160-acre Riverside campus in 1955. It officially achieved university status in September 1998, adopting the name California Baptist University.
The Road Ahead
As CBU looks toward the 2026-27 academic year, its “Live Your Purpose” motto remains the central pillar of its identity. With a No. 33 ranking in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Regional Universities in the West, the institution is positioning itself as a leader in Christian higher education. While the transition to the Big West represents a new chapter of challenges, the university’s track record of consistent growth suggests a future as vibrant as its recent history.
For the students and faculty currently celebrating in Riverside, the primary focus remains on the immediate horizon: the 75th-anniversary commencement ceremonies this spring and the continued pursuit of academic and spiritual excellence.