Banner | Vol. 69 Issue 8

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Volume 69 Issue 8 March 4, 2022

@cbulancermedia cbubanner.com

Automotive club shifts into high gear for race

Business program introduces Excel Certification to class curriculum BY EMILY MCGINN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jordan Fabbrini, senior mechanical engineering major, helps a fellow club member cut a piece of pipe.

Photo by Elijah Hickman I Banner

BY ALEXZA BAHNMILLER ASST. B&T EDITOR

Have you ever wanted to help build a racecar from the ground up and then compete in racing competitions? This is exactly what the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) club does at California Baptist University. Jordan Fabbrini, senior mechanical engineering major and president of CBU SAE, discussed what the club entails. “Our team comes together and builds a racecar, which we then compete with,” Fabbrini said. “There are seven groups within the club, and each group consists of a lead, a junior lead and interns. The groups focus on a specific area on the car, such as the aero group that works on building the wings for the car. “We organize the groups in this way so that there is a constant transfer of knowledge between the members. Information being passed down is one of the reasons why we have been able to be successful and trend upwards.” David Howerzyl, sophomore mechanical engineering major and junior lead for the body and composite group, explained what he does as the junior lead of his section. “My job is to assist with making carbon molds to form the outside shell of the car and write demands for the 3D machine,” Howerzyl said. “The end goal is to make the racecar as light as possible. There are new challenges every week, such as having to wait on materials. Also, everything is new for me and I am learning as I go, but the best part is building and putting everything together.” This year, CBU SAE will compete June 16-20 in Michigan. According to SAE International’s website, North American universities compete to

The Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business at California Baptist University became a Microsoft Certification Site in fall 2021. As a result, the school began to incorporate the Microsoft Certification exam into entry-level course CIS270. By the end of the class, business students can become Microsoft Certification Specialists and receive certificates and digital badges issued by Microsoft displaying their certification. Since the class now ends with the certification exam, the School of Business adjusted the course curriculum to enhance Microsoft skills. Dr. Tim Gramling, dean of the Robert K. Jabs School of Business, said that the school partnered with companies Servcorp and GMetrix, which provide certification and course training, respectively.

GMetrix allows students to do assignments on modules that simulate Microsoft products. Gramling said the level of engagement within GMetrix tools allows students to learn Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint more thoroughly. “Before, for example, when we were working in Microsoft PowerPoint, a student would produce a PowerPoint file, and I would look at it and determine if it looked right, but I could not necessarily tell that the student got to that look correctly,” Gramling said. “What GMetrix does is it actually simulates PowerPoint. It gives students a task to do and it watches what you do. If you do the task incorrectly or if you don’t hit the button the proper way, it will flag it. It will teach you and coach you. It brings students through and shows them how to do it prop-

SEE CERTIFICATION | PAGE 10

Basket case: How athletes stay calm amid competition, pressure to perform BY MADDY GONZALEZ ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Photo by Elijah Hickman I Banner

Blake Shishido, sophomore mechanical engineering, is slowly cutting a piece of metal.

Photo by Elijah Hickman I Banner

Brendan Kane, senior mechanical engineering major, is putting glue on to help make a mold. conceive, design, fabricate, develop and compete with small, formula-style vehicles. “The competition is an engineering education competition,” the SAE International website said. “Teams are to assume that they work for an engineering firm that is designing,

fabricating, testing and demonstrating a prototype vehicle. The vehicle should have high performance and be sufficiently durable to successfully complete all the events. Each student team design will be judged and evaluated to determine the vehicle that best meets the de-

sign goals and profitably built and marketed.” Formula SAE promotes careers and excellence in engineering as it encompasses all aspects of the automotive industry.

SEE CLUB OF THE ISSUE | PAGE 10

California Baptist University had its last home game for men’s basketball on March 2. Our team took victory over Chicago State University with a closing score of 62-53. It was a victorious night celebrating seniors Elijah Thomas, Tobin Kund, Ty Rowell and Dan Akin. As of March 2, CBU men’s basketball stands 10th in the Western Athletic Conference. The Lancers stand eighth in the WAC for scoring offense and ninth for scoring defense. California Baptist is ranked sixth in the conference for three-point field goal percentage. The men’s team was ranked fifth in the WAC for rebounding margin, assists and defensive rebound percentage. As we know, the Lancers have some star threepoint shooters, with CBU’s highest standing of third in the conference for three-point field goals made. Being a student-athlete isn’t just about peak physical performance. Other factors, including mentality and the pressure of being a division-I athlete, play a role in how athletes perform. Holding a D1 athlete position requires intense focus on sport and school. It takes excellent

psychological strength to juggle all obligations of being a student-athlete. The NCAA reports that “anxiety disorders are among their athletes’ most common psychiatric problems.” This can include performance anxiety which “is connected to the anticipation of the act and becoming overwhelmed during specific components of performance.” Performance anxiety may make it difficult to hold precise focus. If athletes are not maintaining this focus, it can affect an athlete’s practice and game-day performance. AthletesForHope writes, “35% of elite athletes suffer from a mental health crisis which may manifest as stress, eating disorders, burnout or depression and anxiety.” Therefore, combating the stigma around mental health is important. Many athletes suffer to the point that anxiety affects their functioning, but some do not reach out for help. Raising awareness and gaining insight into how student-athletes preserve their mental health is the first step to changing the narrative regarding mental health issues. It is important to have a positive and determined mindset

SEE BASKETBALL | PAGE 9

Street vendors —

Caffeine dependence —

Batman returns —

N e w s , Pg. 2

L i f e s t y l e , Pg . 6

A & E , Pg. 12

Street vendors face struggles with permits amid the aftermath of the pandemic.

Coffee remains a major aspect of culture despite rising levels of caffeine dependence.

“The Batman” hits the big screen in a new generation of the DC superhero.


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