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ISSUE 9
VOLUME 70
MARCH 17, 2023
Charissa Graves | Banner
Juliette, played by Talar Arslanian, drinks a potion given to her by Friar Laurence to make herself appear dead.
CBU Opera performs ‘Roméo et Juliette’ BY GABI RIGGIN
ASST. A&E EDITOR
Charissa Graves | Banner
Friar Laurence, played by Will Silva, officiates the marriage of Roméo, played by Dominic Salvati, senior vocal performance major, and Juliette, played by Talar Arslanian.
The Opera Theater at California Baptist University presented the love story of Charles Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” on Feb. 24 and Feb. 26 at the Lewis Family Playhouse in Ran-
Wrestling team grapples through Big 12 conference BY MICHAEL MARKS SPORTS EDITOR
The CBU men’s wrestling team is heading to the Big 12 conference tournament for the first time in history in Tulsa, Okla. from March 4-5, where Lancer wrestlers faced off against the top 33 wrestlers in the nation. Being a part of this conference is an accomplishment, as it is the second toughest conference in the nation, based on the number of qualifiers. Athletes who managed to secure a spot at the conference will compete at the NCAA Championships, which will be in Tulsa from March 16-18. “For us to be accepted into the Big 12 conference is incredibly exciting for California and for CBU because we’re the only Big 12 wrestling program on the West Coast,” said Derek Moore, head coach of the wrestling team. “This conference spans from California to West Virginia and there are 13 teams in total. Geographically, I believe it is the largest conference. It allows us to attract those other
Big 12 opponents that they have to come out to compete against us. It develops wrestling here on the West Coast and in Southern California and it also allows us to communicate with recruits, parents and families on a basis that they understand.” The Big 12 is part of the larger Power Five conference. Many schools within this conference are much larger, both budget and facility wise. However, that does not phase Moore, who understands that being a great wrestler is about more than just affording the best gear — it is about the mentality and grit that comes from within an athlete. “We’re looking to continue to expand our staff, looking to continue to give our guys some of those resources, upgrading our wrestling room, some things that are within the wrestling room,” Moore said. “Ultimately we’re never going to have a Power Five budget, and that’s understood, but it’s also in the sport of wrestling not as big (of a deal) as it might be in some other sports. With the
cho Cucamonga. The opera was sung completely in French, a language known famously for the emotion and strategic accent that flows throughout the language. The conductor, Dr. Gene Moon, associate professor of music and director of orchestral stud-
ies, noted that singing the opera in its original language is important. “The trumpet plays the same notes, whether it’s in French or Italian, but to a certain degree,” Moon said. “When it’s sung in
SEE OPERA | PAGE 12
CBU receives historic gift of $28.5 million BY ALEXZA BAHNMILLER MANAGING EDITOR
History was made at California Baptist University on Feb. 27 when real estate developer Dale E. Fowler and his wife, Sarah Ann, donated $28.5 million to the school, marking the largest gift in the university’s 73-year history. Supportive of Christian higher education, the Fowlers have been actively involved with the community for years. “The Fowlers have a couple grandchildren who graduated from CBU,” said Dr. Ronald L.
Elijah Hickman | CBU Athletics
Frank Almaguer, sophomore communication studies major, celebrates his win against the Air Force Academy on Jan. 21. right attitude — the right work ethic — a wrestler can go a long way in this sport. It’s not about the facilities. It’s not about the gear — that’s not going to make you a better wrestler. Helping these guys embrace that underdog role and enjoy being a part
of building something special.” Frank Almaguer, junior communications major and wrestler, clarified how difficult it is to get to this point in the season.
SEE WRESTLING | PAGE 9
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We are just so grateful to the Fowlers for their tremendous generosity, for their support of Christian higher education, specifically for their support of the California Baptist mission. Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, President of CBU
Ellis, president of CBU. “They were also very close friends for a long time with Gene and Billie Yeager, who the Yeager Center is named after. They’ve also come to Grandparents Day. They’ve given generously during the pandemic to the Endurance Fund, [and] also to endowed scholarships for students as well as general scholarships.” As a way of honoring the Fowlers for their contribution, the Events Center has been renamed the Dale. E and Sarah Ann Events Center. Paul J. Eldridge, vice president for university advancement, recounted the decision to rename CBU’s largest building. “When you have a gift of this significance, we want to make sure we recognize and honor them in a way that is consistent with the size of their gift,” Eldridge said. “So really because of the magnitude of the gift, the Event Center is the largest building on campus so we thought that would be an appropriate way to honor them. And it’s a conversation with the donors, if they would be comfortable with that, if that would be something they would
SEE HISTORIC GIFT | PAGE 3
CHINESE SPY BALLOON
PUBLIC SPEAKING
EARTHQUAKE PREP
China and the U.S. face rising tensions amid the spy balloon debacle, COVID-19 and Taiwan.
Presentations and group projects prepare college students for the workforce.
After the major quake in Turkey and Syria, Californians analyze if the state is prepared for a large earthquake.
News, pg. 2
Faith & Lifestyle, pg. 7
B&T, pg. 11