Cal Poly Update - June 2009
Alumni News
Plan a SLO Road Trip: Homecoming 2009 Set for October 16, 17
Mark your Calendar: Cal Poly's annual Homecoming celebration is set for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16 and 17. For the big game, Cal Poly will take on Southern Utah University Oct. 17 in Alex G. Spanos Stadium. Enjoy the autumn afternoon beforehand at the annual Tailgate BBQ and Cal Poly Alumni Association Winetasting on the O'Neill Green. Watch for details coming this summer and fall. Tickets to the barbecue and wine tasting sell out in the weeks before Homecoming every year. Get yours when they go on sale this fall.
Visit the Homecoming Web site
Travel with Alumni and See Europe at Better Prices
Longing to see Europe for the first time, with an eye on your budget? The Cal Poly Alumni Association partners with Continuing Education to offer international group tours abroad each year. You don't have to be alumni to travel with CPAA. University friends and parents are welcome, too. There's still time to sign up for the CPAA trip to Tuscany and Cortona (Sept. 16-24). CPAA's 2010 travel schedule includes a tour of the Ukraine via the Dnieper River in spring (June 11 - 23) and Italy's Amalfi Coast in fall (Sept. 29 - Oct. 7).
More details on alumni group travel programs
Stay Cool and Get Wicked with Cal Poly Alumni Association Chapters
Stay cool and get wicked with alumni this summer. Cal Poly alumni and friends can keep their cool in the heat of July with the Tulare-Kings County Alumni Chapter at Visalia’s Recreation Park. Enjoy dinner, Visalia Rawhide Baseball and fireworks under the coolers in Toyota Terrace July 24. Looking for ways to be wicked? Join the San Francisco/San Jose Alumni Chapter July 11 as they take in the hit Broadway musical Sunday at the Orpheum Theater in The City. Enjoy a pre-theater reception for alumni at Soluna Café, then walk to the Orpheum for "Wicked" -- the untold story of the witches of Oz. Alumni group tickets are limited so order today. You don't have to be a CPAA member to enjoy alumni events, but members do get event discounts.
Find details on these and other events on the Alumni Events Calendar anytime - No password needed for events calendar!
Keep In Touch (And Find Jobs) This Summer -- Use PolyLink
PolyLink and the groups inside it work like some of the other social networks -- only better. And bigger. PolyLink has more Cal Poly alumni gathered in one place (12,700+ and growing) than any other social network on the Web. Anyone can check out the PolyLink news, Alumni Events Calendar, and University Photo Galleries anytime. Only PolyLink alumni can get in to see PolyLink alumni personal pages and use the PolyLink classmates database to find old friends. And only PolyLink alumni get in to see the private job boards. This month there are leads to 186 job postings from employers looking specifically for Cal Poly alumni -- recent grads included. Get into PolyLink today at www.calpolylink.com.
Alumni: You will need a first time entry/login code to get into private areas of PolyLink.
Click here to get your first time login code
PolyLink Alumni Photo of the Month:
Reunion at Avila's Port San Luis Pier
Abiah Shaffer (B.S., Ag Business, 2006) is the June 2009 PolyLink Photo of the Month winner for this shot of herself (right) and pal Carol Boland (left) on the Port San Luis Pier (with San Luis Bay and Avila Beach in the background). The occasion was Boland's June 2008 graduation from Cal Poly (M.A. in Biology). Shaffer minored in water science and agricultural policy and now works with an international consulting firm in Ft. Collins, Colo. She works with GIS mapping software to create resource and environmental impact maps necessary for permitting large developments. And she volunteers for the Sierra Club and teaches horseback riding in her spare time.
See Shaffer's PolyLink Personal Page (login required)
See more alumni PolyLink Photo of the Month Winners anytime - no password required
Reentry Students Eligible for $50,000 in Continuing Education Scholarships
The Bernard Osher Foundation has awarded $50,000 to Cal Poly Continuing Education and University Outreach to provide scholarships for reentry students for the 2009-10 academic year. Thinking of taking a class through Cal Poly Continuing Education? Find out more.
More Osher Scholarship funding
Familiar Face Reaching Out to Alumni,
Friends, Partners
Cal Poly has announced the launch of a new Regional Development Program to enhance the university's outreach in key areas around the state. Richard (Ritchie) LeRoy (M.A., Education, ‘02), former assistant director of Alumni Relations, has been named as the regional development director for University Advancement. In the new position, LeRoy will travel the state helping alumni, parents and friends of the university reconnect with Cal Poly in meaningful ways including volunteer opportunities and advocacy.
More on LeRoy and Cal Poly Partnerships
Alumni in the News: Top Lawyers, Cover Art, Poisonous Frogs and More
A Cal Poly business alum has been named one of Alabama's 'Super Lawyers.' An alumna made the cover of Landscape Architecture Magazine. And one statistics alum has turned his interest in poisonous frogs into a speaking and teaching sideline. Those are just a few of the Alumni in the News this month -- plenty of others were in the headlines. Read on to find out who they are -- and if you know any of them.
Alumni in the News
University News
Great Grads of 2009 Finding Jobs in Not-So-Great Market
The Class of 2009 faces an unwelcoming economy, but many Cal Poly graduates are landing highly sought after positions in diverse fields – from construction project managers to software developers, from ice cream makers to agricultural professionals. “Executives from a wide range of industries tell us all the time that they seek out our graduates because they are well-trained, work-ready professionals in scientific and technical fields," said Cal Poly Vice President for Student Affairs Cornel Morton. "The common quote we hear from industry leaders is, ‘Cal Poly graduates are ready to contribute on Day One.’”
Read about some of Cal Poly's Great Grads 2009
Cal Poly Getting Ready for Major Summer Construction
Cal Poly will see a major construction boom this summer, and the center campus will have a new look come fall. The renovation of the University Union Plaza and expansion of the Associated Students' Recreation Center begin June 15. In a special election in 2008, Cal Poly students approved an increase in ASI fees to finance the projects. The Simpson Strong Tie Building, funded thanks to private support from Simpson Strong Tie, also breaks ground in June. The new Construction Management facility will rise next to the Construction Innovations Center, opened in fall 2008. If you're driving on campus this summer, expect traffic detours.
Read details on summer construction and traffic flow
Four Students Arrested in Connection
with 2008 Hazing Death of Freshman
San Luis Obispo police in May arrested four Cal Poly students in connection to the December hazing death of Cal Poly freshman Carson Starkey. Cal Poly President Warren J. Baker said in a statement that the arrests were "a sad reminder of the tragedy that took the life of a promising young Cal Poly student and caused so much pain to the family of Carson Starkey. Our sympathy again goes out to Carson's family. To the Cal Poly community and the public, I want to underscore, emphatically, that Cal Poly has zero tolerance for hazing."
Read President Baker's full statement
More details on the arrests
Ballot Failures Mean Deep Cuts at CSU Campuses
The California State University faces $410 million cuts next year after voters' rejected several ballot measures in May's special election. CSU Chancellor Charles Reed said the cuts "will severely impact our ability to provide student access to our universities, maintain our workforce, preserve services, and protect the quality of our institutions." He added in a statement, "There are no good options. We will all need to work together to explore what is feasible with the primary goals of serving our students and preserving as many jobs as possible."
Read the full statement by Chancellor Reed
California Schools Chief O'Connell
Comes to Campus to Speak on Future of Education
Jack O’Connell, California's superintendent of Public Instruction, came to campus May 26 to talk about about the current budget crisis, its effects on K-12 education and the future for California schools. O'Connell's presentation was a part of the university Student Life office's "Soup and Substance" speaker series and was open to the public.
More on O'Connell's appearance
Congressional Leaders Hold
Regional Energy Summit at Cal Poly
Cal Poly hosted a congressional energy summit May 28 in Spanos Theatre. The public summit, was organized by the American Energy Solutions Group and led by
U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes -- a Cal Poly alumnus. Co-chair was U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy. Two other members of
Congress participated, and Cal Poly alumni and faculty spoke on energy issues. The event was one of several being held across the nation.
More on the May 28 Energy Summit
University Offers New Fire Protection Graduate Program
Every year, fire season poses a deadly hazard for California residents. Cal Poly Continuing Education and University Outreach is now fighting fire with knowledge and expertise, retaining Frederick W. Mowrer as a visiting professor to spearhead the establishment of a fire protection engineering graduate program.
More on Mowrer and fire protection program
Collector Acquires Two Pieces from Endowment Collection
Two original paintings were acquired in May from the Armstrong/Waters Endowment collection. Purchases of artwork donated to the collection support Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Department.
More on the acquisition
Today's Students
Students Win Graphic Design and Production Awards
Cal Poly Graphic Communication students scored wins in design and production competitions on both coasts. A team of design students won the Phoenix Challenge in Orlando, Fla., for graphic identity and brand development of coffee house products. In San Francisco, three students received scholarships in the BookBuilders West competition.
Read more about the wins in Graphic Communication
Cal Poly Beats Stanford, Berkeley,
Wins Award for Low-Income Housing Design
A team of Cal Poly students took first place in Bank of America’s Low-Income Housing Challenge recently, beating competitors including Stanford and UC Berkeley. The Cal Poly team partnered with People's Self Help Housing to create a physical and financial proposal for a comprehensive housing development in Santa Barbara County near Santa Maria.
More on the low-income housing award
Drowning Prompts Student to Work For Beach Safety
Cal Poly senior Megan Grose is working to educate Central Coast residents and visitors on the issue of beach and water safety in the wake of a Central Coast child's drowning. Nine-year-old Kailanii Brannum of Arroyo Grande was swept out to sea and presumed drowned off Guadalupe in April. Grose has since coordinated presentations by lifeguards at several local schools and recently secured funding to distribute 15,000 educational brochures in Pismo Beach.
More on Grose's efforts
PolyHouse Project Wraps Up Home Do-Over for Family
Engineering Professor Roya Javadpour and her project management class have wrapped up another successful charity home renovation project, this time for a 16-year-old disabled girl and her aging grandparents. The teen was born with a heart defect and is confined to a wheelchair. Her primary caregivers are her grandparents, who have also parented more than 20 foster children. The students raised more than $50,000 in donations of cash, building materials and other assistance for repairs and improvements.
More on 2009 PolyHouse project | See the video story on KSBY.com | See the video story on KCOY.com
Architecture Student Wins Award for Senior Housing Design
Cal Poly architecture student John Vierra won first place in the 2009 Livable Communities Student Design Competition by designing an urban housing complex. His design enhanced the lives of senior residents by providing access to services, multiple transportation options and spaces for social engagement as well as safe, accessible and affordable housing.
Read more about Vierra's design
Student Honored by Hispanic Caucus Institute, Nabs Prestigious D.C. Fellowship
Cal Poly graduate student Ulises Gonzalez has been chosen to receive the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Graduate Young Professional Fellowship in Housing Policy. One of 20 students chosen nationally for the honor, Gonzalez will spend nine months in Washington, D.C., assigned to a congressional and then a federal agency. Gonzalez will receive a master’s degree in city and regional planning this month.
More about Gonzalez
Faculty & Staff
Professors Use 'Angels and Demons' To Teach Particle Physics
Two Cal Poly professors were part of an international professional outreach to use the debut of Tom Hanks' new movie, "Angels & Demons," to explain modern physics. As anyone who's seen the summer blockbuster knows, "dark matter" and particle physics are part of the plot. Cal Poly Assistant Physics Professor Jennifer Klay has spent about eight years studying particle physics at the world’s largest supercollider near Geneva, Switzerland. She’s also taken five Cal Poly students to work on her experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, built at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN. Cal Poly hosted a public lecture by Klay timed with the movie's opening.
Read the story in the Tribune
Professors Engle, Wendt Named 2009 Distinguished Scholars
Cal Poly has named a professor of psychology and child development and an associate professor of biological sciences to receive the university’s Distinguished Scholarship Award for 2008-09. This is the sixth year for the award program. Psychology and Human Development Professor Patrice L. Engle and Biological Sciences Associate Professor Dean Wendt are being recognized at commencement for helping improve the human condition and quality of life and demonstrating the possibilities of the teacher-scholar model. Engle and Wendt were selected from 119 nominations and 15 finalists.
Read more about Engle and Wendt
Passings:
Physics Professor Art Rosen
Physics Professor
Art Rosen passed away May 9 with his family and friends by his side at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo. He began teaching in the Physics Department in 1953. He "retired" in 1993 but continued to be active with his research as a volunteer employee until August 2007. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made to the Arthur Z. Rosen Memorial Scholarship.
Read more about Professor Rosen's passing and scholarship
Coming Up
Spring Commencement
Ceremonies Are June 13, 14
Cal Poly's spring commencement ceremonies are set for Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14 on campus. The main ceremonies will be held outdoors in Spanos Stadium beginning at 9:30 a.m. both days. Ceremonies last about two hours. Colleges and departments host post-commencement events in various locations around campus.
More details on commencement - including parking
California International Choral Festival
Returns to PAC June 26-28
After the opening concert, every performance of the 2007 California International Choral Festival & Competition was sold out. The festival is returning to Cal Poly for its 2009 Competition. New choirs from around the nation and the world have been selected to participate in this lively and spirited competition. A panel of distinguished judges will award prizes. and audiences can cheer for their favorites. The festival brings to life the power and passion of the universal language of music and has become one of the region's cultural treasures.
More on the Choral Festival Performances
Indigo Girls Return in Concert July 11
The Indigo Girls will perform in concert at the Christopher Cohan Center July 11. Since their formation more than two decades ago, the ground-breaking folk duo has become one of America’s most beloved vocal acts. They have released 10 albums, earned six Grammy nominations and made numerous appearances on national television shows while consistently playing to enthusiastic audiences. Tickets are on sale now.
More on the Indigo Girls concert
Get Tix Now for 'Taste of the Future' Benefit
The Cal Poly College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences’ Sustainable Agriculture Resource Consortium will hold its fifth annual fundraiser dinner, “A Taste of the Future,” on Wednesday, Oct. 14. This year’s guest speaker at the gourmet dinner will be nationally recognized author, journalist, teacher and sustainable foods advocate Michael Pollan.
More on the Oct. 14 SARC dinner
Social Networking: Alumni are Everywhere
PolyLink and the groups inside it work like some of the other social networks -- only better. And bigger. PolyLink has more Cal Poly alumni gathered in one place (12,700+ and growing) than any other social network on the Web. Only PolyLink alumni can get in to see PolyLink alumni personal pages and use the PolyLink classmates database to find old friends. And only PolyLink alumni get in to see the private job boards. This month there are leads to 186 job postings from employers looking specifically for Cal Poly alumni -- recent grads included. Get into PolyLink today at www.calpolylink.com.
Not ready for PolyLink yet? Or not alumni? We'll go where you are.
Find us and fan us on Facebook (4,600+ Mustang alumni fans and growing)
Be sure to join Cal Poly alumni on LinkedIn.