California Baptist University received a beautification award for the campus’s new entrance off of Adams Street at Lancer Plaza.
The award was presented to CBU at the mayor of Riverside’s State of the City Address held Jan. 30. The award itself comes from the City of Riverside as part of its “Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful” program.
This award is the newest recognition the university has accumulated by the KRCB program. Previous awards include recognition for the campus’s new Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering building, the Events Center, the Recreation Center and the Yeager Center.
Mark Howe, vice president for Finance and Administration, accepted the award on behalf of the university.
“We are certainly grateful for the recognition and are committed to improvements that benefit students, faculty, staff and the Riverside community,” Howe said. “(The award) is a confirmation of the quality at which the CBU community expects in its facilities and educational experience.”
The new entrance was finished at the beginning of the fall semester. It features a new arch and guard station, as well as a reconfiguration of Lancer Plaza, which houses the campus bookstore and the offices of Community Life, Associated Students of CBU, Spiritual Life and the newly finished five-story parking structure.
Students at CBU said they are thrilled the university is receiving recognition from the city and surrounding community.
Anna Benson, senior biochemistry and molecular biology major, said she is grateful not just for the new entrance but for the legacy CBU is leaving in the community.
“As CBU grows and takes up more space in this central part of the city of Riverside, it is important that the rest of the community is pleased with their improvements,” Benson said. “I believe God is blessing this school, and this is a manifestation of how he is answering prayers to make this school a light to the people around it.”
Madison Braden, junior finance major, said the new entrance deserved the award and helped make college life easier for commuter students.
“The new entrance was really beneficial to the campus — it not only looks great but serves an important purpose,” Braden said. “CBU is such a beautiful place too, especially in the heart of Riverside. They have done a really great job at creating a different environment and it is really cool they are getting recognized for that.”
The latest project for the university as it continues to work on expanding the campus is Magnolia Crossing, a housing complex set to open for the fall 2020 semester.
