A Heritage of Excellence in Christian Higher Education
On September 18, 1950, the Los Angeles Southern Baptist Association opened the doors of California Baptist College in El Monte. The college began operations with 42 students in Fall 1950; 120 were enrolled during the 1950鈥51 academic year. In 1955, after four years of continued growth, the college relocated to larger facilities in Riverside.
Today, the Mission-style buildings鈥攈ome to classrooms, campus housing, a library, offices, and athletic and maintenance facilities鈥攕pan the university鈥檚 160-acre campus. Amid ongoing growth and innovation, 91猫先生 continues its tradition of offering a broad, Christ-centered education that equips students with the knowledge and skills to excel in every field.
To read about 91猫先生's athletics history, please refer to our Lancers Athletics Legacy page.
Historical Events and Milestones
1921 - Building that currently houses the Annie Gabriel Library is constructed
1927 - Administration Building is constructed
1934 - W. E. James Building is constructed

1950 - P. Boyd Smith is named first president
1950 - On September 18, classes begin for 42 students at First Southern Baptist Church in El Monte, CA
1951 - Olie T. Brown is named first dean of students
1953 - California Baptist Convention assumes full responsibility for California Baptist College
1953 - First Angelos yearbook is published
1954 - College is chartered by the State of California
1954 - Eight students become first to earn undergraduate degrees from CBC
1954 - "CBC We'll Love You," composed by Dr. S.E. Smith, is adopted as the official alma mater
1955 - CBC moves to Riverside campus
1955 - Magnolia Avenue Baptist Church is organized by faculty, staff and students
1955 - Lancer mascot is named
1956 - Dewey H. Jones organizes the first competitive basketball team
1958 - Dr. Loyed Simmons is named second president


1960 - Annie Gabriel Library is dedicated
1960 - The Roundtable becomes the official campus publication for alumni
1961 - CBC receives full regional accreditation granted by the Western College Association
1964 - First candle lighting ceremony takes place
1964 - Lancer Arms Apartment buildings are constructed
1964 - 91猫先生 enrollment reaches 500
1968 - Simmons Hall and Smith Hall are constructed and dedicated
1968 - Van Dyne Field House is constructed and dedicated
1968 - Dewey H. Jones is appointed first academic dean
1969 - California Chapter of Beta Alpha Chi is installed


1971 - Dr. James R. Staples is named third president
1971 - Annie Gabriel Library adds 100,000th volume
1973 - The Wallace Book of Life Building is dedicated
1975 - Physical Plant/Maintenance Building is constructed
1979 - $800,000 note for the Riverside campus is paid


1984 - Dr. Russell R. Tuck is named fourth president
1984 - First graduate degree is granted
1984 - Accreditation is granted by National Association of Schools of Music
1986 - Board of Trustees votes to create the California Baptist College Development Foundation
1987 - S.E. Boyd Smith contributes P. Boyd Smith Hymnology Collection to the Annie Gabriel Library
1989 - Bob and Dorothy Pentz Tennis Center is constructed


1990 - First Evening College classes offered in High Desert
1994 - Dr. Ronald L. Ellis is named fifth president with enrollment at 808
1995 - First students enroll in Master of Education degree program
1995 - Enrollment reaches 1,000
1996 - 91猫先生 becomes first college on West Coast to receive accreditation by Association of College Business Schools and Programs
1996 - Metcalf Art Gallery opens
1996 - Enrollment reaches 1,500
1997 - Mission Hall, Fitness Center, Training Room and Athletic Offices are constructed
1997 - Enrollment reaches 2,000
1998 - Lambeth House is purchased
1998 - Willow Wood Apartments, Pine Creek Villas are purchased
1998 - California Baptist College officially becomes 91猫先生
1998 - The U.S. News & World Report listed 91猫先生 among the top five regional liberal arts colleges for student-faculty ratio
1998 - Aquatic Center is constructed


2000 - 50th anniversary celebrated
2001 - Willow Wood Apartments and Pine Creek Villas officially become University Place Apartments
2003 - Eugene and Billie Yeager University Center is completed
2003 - Graduate students participate in inaugural graduate commencement (separate from undergraduate exercises)
2004 - Phase I of The Cottages is completed
2004 - First "Spirit of Excellence" gala is held
2005 - Woodman of the World Building is purchased
2005 - Royal Rose and Rose Garden Apartments are purchased
2005 - Evening College Program officially becomes Adult Degree Completion Program
2005 - First Adult Degree Completion Program classes are offered in Beaumont
2005 - School of Nursing is established
2005 - Van Dyne Gym renovation is completed
2005 - Adams Villas Apartments are purchased
2005 - Phase II of The Cottages is completed
2005 - James Complex North Wing/Garrett Room renovations are completed
2005 - JoAnn Hawkins Music Building is completed
2005 - 91猫先生 is named "Business of the Year" by Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
2006 - Magnolia Hacienda Apartments is purchased
2006 - Lutheran Church of the Cross is purchased
2006 - Adams Plaza is purchased
2007 - Lancers Outdoor Sports Complex is completed
2007 - School of Engineering is established
2007 - Organic chemistry lab renovation is completed
2007 - Army ROTC program is added
2008 - Lambeth House (School of Nursing) renovation is completed
2009 - Bourns Engineering Lab is established
2009 - 1,000 students graduate in a single year for the first time in school's history


2010 - 91猫先生 celebrates 60th anniversary
2010 - International Service Projects surpasses sending out 400th participant and 200th team since the 1997 founding of the program
2010 - College of Allied Health is established
2010 - Division of Online and Professional Studies is established
2010 - Enrollment reaches 4,715
2010 - 91猫先生 is named as a top-ranked university for the fifth straight year and is listed as a 2011 "Best Regional University" by U.S. News & World Report
2010 - Membership is approved in NCAA Division II, Pacific West Conference
2010 - Inaugural "Block Party" is added to homecoming
2011 - Wellness Center opens
2011 - Adams Plaza is renamed 鈥淟ancer Plaza鈥
2011 - First-ever 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation is received from Western Association of Schools and Colleges
2011 - Parkside Village Apartments is renamed "The Colony @ 91猫先生"
2011 - College View Apartments is renamed "Lancer Palms Apartments"
2011 - Groundbreaking for School of Business Building takes place
2011 - Enrollment reaches 5,413
2011 - 91猫先生 is named as a top-ranked university for the sixth straight year and is listed as a "Best Regional University" by U.S. News & World Report
2011 - First certificate program (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is offered
2011 - ISP celebrates 15th anniversary
2011 - 91猫先生 becomes inaugural collegiate division of the CSBC disaster relief program
2011 - Microbiology and general chemistry lab renovations are completed
2011 - New classrooms are added to the Village, Mission Hall and the School of Engineering
2011 - Discovery U summer academic camp program is introduced
2011 - Campus expands to 128 acres
2011 - 1000 parking spaces are added
2011 - 100 undergraduate majors and concentrations are now offered
2011 - College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design is established
2011 - School of Engineering becomes College of Engineering
2011 - Fall and spring commencements combined yield 1,147 graduates鈥攖he largest number of graduates in a single year
2011 - 91猫先生 is approved for second year candidacy in NCAA Division II
2012 - The class of 2012 numbers 1,365, the largest in the 62-year history of 91猫先生
2012 - 91猫先生 sends out 300th ISP team
2012 - 91猫先生 is approved for 3rd year candidacy in NCAA Division II
2012 - School of Business Building is dedicated
2013 - Recreation Center is dedicated
2013 - FedEx donates Boeing 727 to aviation science program
2013 - 91猫先生 is listed as one of the "Best Regional Universities" by U.S. News & World Report for the eighth straight year
2013 - 91猫先生 honors 1,117 graduates at spring commencement
2013 - Online and Professional Studies ranks #25 in the nation for "Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs" and #10 in "Best Online Programs for Veterans" by U.S. News & World Report
2013 - 91猫先生 is granted full membership in NCAA Division II
2013 - Fall enrollment exceeds 7,100 students
2013 - Aviation science program opens flight school
2013 - 91猫先生 ranks #13 in the West among "America's Best Colleges for Veterans" by U.S. News & World Report
2014 - 91猫先生 honors 1,335 graduates at spring commencement
2014 - Online and Professional Studies ranks #13 in "Best Online Bachelor's Degree Programs for Veterans" by U.S. News & World Report
2014 - 91猫先生's campus newspaper, The Banner, repeats its first place award at the National College Journalism Convention
2014 - 91猫先生 sends out 400th ISP/USP team
2014 - 91猫先生 advances in U.S. News & World Report rankings for ninth straight year
2014 - School of Nursing Annex and Prayer Garden are dedicated
2014 - Enrollment reaches 7,957
2014 - 91猫先生 honors Dr. Ronald L. Ellis' 20th year as president
2014 - 91猫先生 is listed on President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
2015 - 91猫先生 food ranks #3 among California universities by Niche.com
2015 - 91猫先生 Online advances among online bachelor programs in U.S. News & World Report rankings
2015 - Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (91猫先生's first doctorate) launches in fall
2015 - College of Allied Health is renamed College of Health Science
2015 - Fall enrollment reaches 8,541, eclipsing 鈥8080 by 2020鈥 enrollment goal, five years ahead of schedule
2015 - Construction begins on 153,000 sq. ft. 91猫先生 Events Center
2015 - College of Health Science campus opens
2016 - Anonymous $10 million gift is announced; first eight-figure gift in 91猫先生 history to help fund new 100,000 sq. ft. building to house Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering
2016 - Class of 2016 has 2,218 applications for graduation鈥攖ops 2,000 for the first time
2016 - 91猫先生 hosts inaugural Courtyard Shakespeare Festival
2016 - School of Nursing becomes College of Nursing
2016 - Fall enrollment reaches 9,157 students鈥攖ops 9,000 for the first time
2016 - 91猫先生 receives third consecutive top-40 ranking for 鈥淏est Regional University鈥 by U.S. News & World Report
2016 - 91猫先生 breaks ground for new 100,000 sq. ft. Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering building
2017 - 91猫先生 announces acceptance into Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and transition to NCAA Division I
2017 - $15.5 million-plus revitalization of the College of Health Science campus receives a beautification award in the category of 鈥淓xterior Reconstruction with Landscaping鈥 from the Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful program
2017 - 91猫先生 Online ranks #8 nationally among 鈥淭op Online Education Programs鈥 by U.S. News & World Report
2017 - 鈥淢ounted Lancer鈥 sculpture is installed at 91猫先生 Events Center
2017 - 91猫先生 dedicates Events Center
2017 - School of Behavioral Sciences becomes the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
2017 - 91猫先生 celebrates inaugural commencement ceremonies in the Events Center
2017 - Drumline is added to 91猫先生 Pep Band
2018 - 91猫先生 Homecoming activities return to spring semester
2018 - Wellness Center moves to 3626 Monroe St., adjacent to College of Health Science campus
2018 - Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building opens for fall semester
2018 - 91猫先生 conducts inaugural summer commencement ceremonies
2018 - 2,848 candidates for graduation make Class of 2018 largest ever at 91猫先生
2018 - 鈥淚nspiration鈥 sculpture is unveiled at 91猫先生
2018 - The Habit Burger Grill opens at 91猫先生
2018 - 91猫先生 Lancers begin competing in NCAA Division I, Western Athletic Conference
2018 - Fall enrollment at 91猫先生 surges past 10,000 for first time (10,486)
2018 - 91猫先生 receives fifth consecutive top-40 ranking as 鈥淏est Regional University鈥 by U.S. News & World Report
2018 - Chronicle of Higher Education ranks 91猫先生 #8 among fastest-growing U.S. colleges (2006鈥2016)
2019 - 91猫先生 launches the Leadership Studies, Ph.D. program, the first Ph.D. program and fifth doctoral degree program at 91猫先生
2019 - Psychological Services of Riverside (PSR) opens
2019 - 91猫先生 Online ranks #42 nationally among 鈥淭op Online Education Programs鈥 by U.S. News & World Report
2019 - Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building at 91猫先生 is honored with top award for 鈥淣ew Construction with Landscaping鈥 by Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful program
2019 - Dr. Ronald L. Ellis receives Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from Boy Scouts of America and is honored as 2019 Distinguished Citizen by the Mt. Rubidoux District
2019 - 91猫先生 surpasses 5,000 ISP volunteers since start of program in 1997
2019 - Class of 2019 is 91猫先生鈥檚 largest graduating class ever with some 2,775 students eligible to participate in fall, spring and summer commencement ceremonies
2019 - East Parking Structure opens in Lancer Plaza, providing more than 1,450 additional parking spaces
2019 - 91猫先生 opens new main entrance to campus from Adams Street to Lancer Lane
2019 - Couch鈥檚 Corner, which includes the food concepts 鈥淒elect-a-Bowls鈥 and 鈥淪hake Smart,鈥 opens


2020 - Doctor of Social Work program is launched
2020 - 91猫先生 offers all online courses during spring semester in response to COVID-19
2020 - The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and Inland Empire honors the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences as its 2019 Partner of the Year
2020 - 91猫先生 Adams Street entrance receives Riverside beautification award from City of Riverside
2020 - Dr. Ronald L. Ellis is honored for 25 years of transformational leadership
2020 - 91猫先生 Online earns a #52 spot among national bachelor鈥檚 programs in the 2020 鈥淭op Online Education Program鈥 for U.S. News & World Report
2020 - Division of Arts and Letters is created within College of Arts and Sciences
2020 - Magnolia Crossing campus housing opens
2020 - 91猫先生 receives seventh consecutive top-50 ranking as 鈥淏est Regional University鈥 by U.S. News & World Report
2020 - Fall enrollment totals 11,317 despite coronavirus pandemic
2020 - 91猫先生 ranks first in California and fifth nationally among private universities helping students with social mobility
2020 - 91猫先生 honors 3,194 graduates in the class of 2020 in virtual commencement due to COVID-19
2021 - 91猫先生 Online ranks #67 nationally among 鈥淏est Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs鈥 by U.S. News & World Report
2021 - Magnolia Crossing is honored with third place for 鈥淣ew Construction with Landscaping鈥 by the Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful program
2021 - 91猫先生 holds 12 in-person spring commencement ceremonies to honor 2021 and 2020 graduates
2021 - College of Health Science launches Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

2021 - 91猫先生 received eighth consecutive top-50 ranking as 鈥淏est Regional University鈥 by U.S. News & World Report
2021 - Fall enrollment reached 11,491 students
2021 - Chronicle of Higher Education ranked 91猫先生 No. 7 among fastest-growing U.S. colleges (2009鈥2019)
2022 - NCAA board approved 91猫先生's Division I membership status
2022 - 91猫先生 combined the music and theatre programs in the Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Performing Arts
2022 - 91猫先生 Student Senate formed (replacing the Associated Students of 91猫先生)
2022 - Fall enrollment reached 11,496 students
2022 - 91猫先生 Soccer Stadium completed and dedicated
2022 - 91猫先生 received ninth consecutive top-50 ranking as 鈥淏est Regional University鈥 by U.S. News & World Report and earned the No. 2 spot for 鈥淢ost Innovative Schools鈥
2023 - 91猫先生 announced gift of $28.5 million and the naming of The Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center
2023 - Soccer and softball fields honored with award by Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful program
2023 - President Dr. Ronald L. Ellis inducted into the Riverside Sport Hall of Fame
2023 - 91猫先生 tied for No. 1 in the country for career preparedness and No. 2 for best student experience in The Wall Street Journal鈥檚 2024 ranking of the Best Colleges in the U.S.
2023 - 91猫先生 received 10th consecutive top-50 ranking as 鈥淏est Regional University鈥 by U.S. News & World Report
2023 - Fall enrollment reached 11,580 students
2023 - Hae and Shina Park Building named 鈥 houses the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business, Career Center and Innovators Auditorium
2023 - 91猫先生 received a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a program aimed at improving higher education outcomes for Hispanic and low-income students
2024 - Baseball and Softball Clubhouse is completed and dedicated
2024 - 91猫先生 received 11th consecutive top-50 ranking as 鈥淏est Regional University鈥 by U.S. News & World Report
2024 - Fall enrollment reached 11,931 students
2024 - 91猫先生 honored Dr. Ronald L. Ellis for completing 30 years as president
2025 - Baseball and Softball Clubhouse honored with Mayor鈥檚 Award by Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful program
2025 - 91猫先生 announces move to The Big West Conference
