Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of California Baptist University, invited students, staff and faculty to take “A Seat at the Table” with him in the Van Dyne Gym on Wednesday, March 26 at 4 p.m. for the 2025 UWC Distinguished Public Lecture and Award.
As audience members filled the gym, a sense of anticipation lingered in the air. Ellis has faithfully served the CBU community for 30 years, and this public lecture offered a compelling conversation about his experiences and observations as president.
Dr. Joshua Fullman, director of the University Writing Center, introduced Ellis and shared the story of CBU as told in his book, “We Are Ready: A President’s Preparation and Purpose.” When Ellis first stepped onto campus in 1994, CBU was a small liberal arts college with just over 800 students. Today, Fullman said, we are living in the legacy of that vision, now with nearly 12,000 students enrolled.
“We are witnessing the historic flourishing of the fruits that he and others helped plant 30 years ago,” Fullman said.
Upon his introduction, Ellis addressed the audience with a speech that informed and inspired.
“One of the legacy goals I envisioned was to prepare students to live their purpose and be prepared to earn a place at the table where important decisions are made,” Ellis said. “Being prepared to provide an effective voice when decisions are made can mean that a very small change can have a multiplied effect on numerous people.”
That vision was reflected throughout the gym. Canvases lined the walls of Van Dyne, each sharing the story of real CBU graduates who earned their seat at the table, thanks in part to the resources and support available to them.
Robin Raisch, a CBU alumna, now works as a wind conductor for the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles at Inglewood.
“My experience at CBU has not only prepared me for a seat at the table in my current position but also inspired me to share the gift of music while serving Christ,” Raisch wrote in her “Seat at the Table” bio.
Dr. Cameron Schweitzer, a CBU Alumnus, now serves as director of the Bay Area campus and associate professor of historical theology.
“I am a proud Lancer alumnus, fully cognizant that I sit at the table I do because of the training, experiences, and credentials I received from CBU,” Schweitzer wrote in his bio.
“These are real CBU students who have earned, because of their education here and their passion for life and their hard work and dedication, a seat at the table,” Ellis said.
Following his speech, Ellis received the 2025 UWC Distinguished Public Lecturer Award, and audience members honored the recognition of his legacy.
Facilitated by Dr. Charles Sands, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, the event concluded with a conversation between Ellis and Mark A. Wyatt, co-author of “We Are Ready.” Ellis shared his insight on pursuing aspirations with balance.
“Head in the clouds—that’s your vision. Feet on the ground—if you over-focus on the vision, it’s just a dream and it’s got nothing. If you focus too much on ‘feet on the ground,’ you might have certain metric success … but you forgot why you were doing it. So that’s where that [healthy] tension comes in.”
His words resonated with many in attendance, including Cayden Taylor, freshman environmental science major.
“It’s important to tell your story and have your feet on the ground with your eyes toward God,” Taylor said.
Itzel Franco, freshman environmental science major, shared what she took away from Ellis’ lecture.
“He inspired me a lot today. I really do appreciate that … he’s had his vision on making this a university that stands for the Great Commission,” Franco said. “I would say that really does motivate me—that he has succeeded in that, and in turn, his students have also succeeded.”
As Ellis stated in his speech, “I can only dream what you and other CBU graduates—the impact you will have globally 40 years from now, and that is a big part of my motivation and the vision when I came.”
For students at CBU, the success of that vision is clear. Ellis’ story continues to inspire the CBU community, encouraging students to embrace their God-given opportunities and boldly live their purpose.
