CBU receives gift of historical property and botanical garden
By CBU Staff
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A local couple has donated almost five acres with a 6,300-square-foot home and a flourishing botanical garden to California Baptist University (CBU).
The property, located just blocks from CBU, includes a house, barn, pool and pickleball/tennis court. The donation from Frank and Lucy Heyming represents a $5.3 million gift to the university.
“A lot of the top universities have their own botanical garden, and we knew that CBU didn’t. It just made sense with CBU being so close,” Frank said.
When the Heymings bought the property in 1995, it featured eucalyptus and palm trees, but not much else. The following year, they replanted the dead orchard with more than 80 citrus and stone fruit trees. Over time, their vision expanded. When Frank wanted to install a fountain in front of the house, friends offered landscaping suggestions. In 2004, the Heymings became master gardeners and also drew inspiration from their travels. Today, the Grand Arbor garden features themed areas including cactus, succulent, rose, butterfly and zones representing the four seasons. They also built a stream, a zen garden and a vegetable garden.
Over the years, the couple has allowed charitable organizations to hold events in the barn and on the property.
“Frank and Lucy’s philanthropic spirit shines through everything they do,” said Ronald L. Ellis, president of CBU. “Their generosity and unwavering commitment to Riverside reflect a deep-rooted spirit of philanthropy that inspires us all. We are profoundly grateful for their support.”
The house itself has a rich history. Built in 1916 by Alvin Untermyer, a lawyer and polo player, it originally sat on 27 acres. In 1929, Earle and Vida Halliburton bought the property and expanded the house to accommodate their five children. Over the years, the property changed hands several times, with rooms rented out and the house even serving as a nursing home.
The botanical garden, consisting of 345 trees of 151 varieties, also showcases some of Frank’s sculptures. A former real estate broker, he began sculpting after he retired in 2012. He donated one piece to CBU in 2018; “Inspiration” is located between the Wallace Theatre and the Alumni Dining Commons.
“The garden is a labor of love. We enjoyed doing it,” Frank said. “It was fun because it was something we designed piece by piece. And that was part of our motivation in giving it to CBU. We wanted to see the botanical garden remain for the community.”
The couple made pathways through the garden’s various areas and allowed their neighbors and friends to walk through.
“People say it’s so peaceful,” Lucy said. “I feel like that is a godly thing for people to have. People need peace. People need to be near nature.”
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NOBTS appoints Nelson Hsieh assistant professor, associate director
By Timothy Cockes/NOBTS
NEW ORLEANS — Nelson Hsieh has been appointed as assistant professor of New Testament and Greek and associate director of the H. Milton Haggard Center for New Testament Textual Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS).
Hsieh most recently served as research associate in New Testament text and language for Tyndale House. He holds a master of divinity degree from The Master’s Seminary and a doctorate in systematic theology and New Testament from Southern Seminary.
Hsieh was announced as a presidentially-appointed faculty member by NOBTS President Jamie Dew during the fall meeting of the seminary’s board of trustees on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
“We are thrilled to be able to add Dr. Nelson Hsieh to the NOBTS New Testament faculty,” NOBTS Provost Norris Grubbs said.
“The work he has done at Tyndale House fits perfectly with the work at the H. Milton Haggard Center for New Testament Textual Studies. In large part due to the work of Dr. Bill Warren, our seminary has been an evangelical leader in the field of textual criticism for many years. Adding Dr. Hsieh to the team only enhances that work.
“I think students will greatly benefit from his passion for studying and teaching the Bible. He comes to the classroom with both excellent academic training and local church experience. I am grateful the Lord has led him to NOBTS.”
Hsieh, who will officially begin his work on faculty in January, said he is glad to begin training students for ministry at the seminary.
“Having been in a research role for the past three years, I am excited to be back in a teaching role where I can interact with students,” Hsieh said.
“I think the academy needs to serve the church, and teaching is the main way that the insights of the academy can reach church leaders. Biblical scholarship also needs to be aware of the needs and struggles of church leaders, so I’m excited to be challenged and to listen to how I can help those on the front lines of church ministry.”
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Claire Aguda named Boyce College assistant professor
By Travis Hearne/SBTS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Boyce College announced that Claire Aguda will join the faculty in the spring semester as assistant professor of politics and humanities. Aguda brings a strong background in the conservative intellectual movement, higher education and cultural renewal initiatives to Boyce College.
Dustin Bruce, dean of Boyce College, expressed his enthusiasm for Aguda’s appointment and believes she will help Boyce students express their faith in the public square.
“I am delighted to have Claire Aguda joining the Boyce College faculty,” Bruce said. “Her academic expertise and experience within the conservative movement will greatly benefit our students as they prepare to engage the public square as convictional Christians.”
R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College, also praised Aguda’s appointment. “I am incredibly pleased that Claire Aguda will be joining our faculty. She brings a rich background in political thought and political engagement, and she also has a very substantial background in the major forces shaping conservative thought in the United States. She is a deeply committed Christian and just the type of scholar we look forward to adding to the faculty of Boyce College.”
Aguda is completing her doctorate in humanities at Faulkner University and has earned both her master’s in education (2015) and her bachelor’s in international affairs and English (2012) from Florida State University. Prior to joining the faculty in the spring, Aguda will be married in October.
She has held prominent roles across a range of leading conservative institutions, including serving as project manager at the National Review Institute, visiting research fellow at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal, and director of alumni, faculty and graduate students at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. Her work has included managing academic fellowships, editing publications and directing conferences for hundreds of faculty, graduate students and alumni across the nation.
Commitment to Christian scholarship
Aguda said she is thrilled to join the Boyce community and contribute to the institution’s emphasis on Christian convictions and rigorous scholarship.
“Boyce College is not only a vibrant academic village, but a faithful Christian community,” Aguda said. “I am deeply excited to join this community of students and scholars who pursue the true, good and beautiful from a Christian worldview. Engaging with students in the great conversation of the Western tradition and passing on a love for the permanent things, as it was given to me, is one of the greatest privileges and responsibilities the Lord has bestowed on me.”
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MBTS Romanian alumni, students gather to celebrate
By MBTS Staff
CLUJ-NAPOCA, Romania — Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s (MBTS) Romanian Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program continues to flourish as a vital resource for gospel-centered leadership across Eastern Europe. Now in its 12th year under the leadership of Radu Gheorghiță, the program has equipped dozens of pastors, educators and ministry leaders for faithful service in the local church.
“I could not be more thankful for our Romanian Doctor of Ministry program run by Dr. Radu Gheorghiță,” said President Jason Allen. “Radu is a world class scholar with a heart for the Romanian people. He pours himself into this program and his students, and it is inspiring to think of how the Lord will bless His church in Romania for years to come through these efforts.”
On Sept. 24, Bethel Baptist Church in Cluj, pastored by Marius Sabou, hosted a full day of events celebrating the impact of the Romanian DMin program. The day began with a midday alumni and student gathering, followed by an evening Graduation Recognition Service for recent graduates.
The Romanian DMin faculty — Emil Bartos, Adrian Ban and Marius Sabou — were joined by Thor Madsen, dean of doctoral studies, who traveled to Romania to preach in churches pastored by Midwestern Seminary students and faculty. Also in attendance was Emanuela Ban, a member of the seminary’s Romanian staff, whose support has been instrumental in the program’s development and student care.
During the alumni gathering, graduates shared powerful testimonies of how the DMin program has transformed their ministries.
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