Alumni News

Homecoming Honors the Past, Returns Traditions

Cal Poly's Homecoming 2010 celebration included a string of sports triumphs, the return of student traditions including a Homecoming Court, and a quiet reunion marking the 50th anniversary of the tragic crash of the airplane carrying the 1960 Mustang Football team. Some of the 26 crash survivors and their families returned to campus for the reunion and recognition in Spanos Stadium.
Details on Homecoming 2010 | Photo slideshow

Cal Poly Alumni Association Events Set for San Luis Obispo, Modesto and Fresno.

A tailgate barbecue on the O'Neill Green before the "Horseshoe Classic" game against rival UC Davis Aggies and mixers in Modesto and Fresno are all on the Cal Poly Alumni Association events calendar this month. Parents, alumni and friends are always welcome at CPAA events. Join the CPAA San Luis Obispo Chapter for a barbecue on the O'Neill Green before the Mustangs-Aggies football game Nov. 13. Find Cal Poly alumni and friends at the Fresno CPAA chapter social Nov. 18. CPAA's Modesto chapter is hosting a dinner and mixer Dec. 2.
Get details and tickets on the Alumni Events Calendar

Alumni in the News:
Green Giants, Winemakers, Top Chefs and More

One alumna has been named a top entrepreneur for her successful launch of a hot new restaurant in San Francisco. Another is a big man at Green Giant foods. And recent grads from the Class of 2010 were touched by tragedy when one died in a plane crash carrying a team of volunteer physicians on a medical mission to Mexico. Many more alumni made headlines during the past month. Find out who they are - and if you know any of them.
More alumni in the news

Alumni Photo of the Month: Submit Yours Now for 2011 and Get Ready to Vote

Got a photo to submit for the Alumni Photo of the Month competition? Upload it to PolyLink, Cal Poly's free, private online alumni directory. Then submit the link and your caption information on the PolyLink Alumni Photo of the Month blog. Every month, editors choose one of the the best shots uploaded by more than 15,000 alumni with extended profiles and photo albums in PolyLink (www.calpolylink.com). Monthly winners receive a "Cal Poly Alumni" window decal and a spot in the Alumni Photo of the Year competition. Photo of the Year winners receive El Corral gift certificates for Cal Poly Gear. Watch for the Alumni Photo of the Year e-Vote in January. Alumni: if you haven't expanded your profile in the PolyLink online alumni directory yet, you should have received an e-mail Nov. 9 with your secure password.
Go to the Photo of the Month blog (password required) | See Alumni Photo of the Month Winners (no password required)

Engineering Alum and Donor Strikes Again

Paul R. Bonderson, Jr. (B.S., Electrical Engineering, '75) is such a staunch supporter of learn-by-doing at Cal Poly that he donated $8 million to pay for the Bonderson Projects Center. It's dedicated solely to students from across the university and their projects. He's just given Cal Poly an additional $550,000 to establish an endowment to support salaries for technicians who staff the center as well as grants for equipment and materials, faculty and travel expenses. The grant means the center's student academic teams can enter conferences and competitions around the nation.
More on Bonderson's donation

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University News

Business, Engineering Produce Best Grads for Hire
In the Nation, According to Wall St. Journal

Cal Poly is among the top universities in the nation at producing the best graduates to hire in business and engineering, according to recruiters polled by the Wall Street Journal as part of a special report. Cal Poly business grads are on par with Stanford, Harvard, Penn State and UC Berkeley, while engineering grads those of top UCLA, Rensselaer, Carnegie Mellon and more. The rankings are part of the Wall Street Journal special report on 'Paths to Professions' released earlier this fall.
See the WSJ breakout of recruiter bests 'by major'
See what recruiters told the WSJ about Cal Poly grads
Read the WSJ 'Paths to Professions' package

Cal Poly Graphic Communication Department
Earns National Accreditation through 2016

Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Department has received national re-accreditation through summer 2016. The Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications, Inc. awarded the accreditation after an extensive process including a self-study by the department and a site visit by a three-member team of industry and education experts. The council announced the accreditation and recognized Cal Poly's GrC department during a formal presentation at its annual board meeting in Chicago in October.
More on the GrC re-accreditation

Simpson Strong-Tie Materials Lab Dedicated

Cal Poly hosted a dedication and open house for the new Simpson Strong-Tie Materials Demonstration Lab Oct. 22. The privately funded laboratory is the final component of a multi-year building project for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design. The lab, next to the new Construction Innovations Center, will serve as an interdisciplinary learning site for all five departments in the college.
More on the Dedication

Cal Poly Engineering Earns National Accreditation

Cal Poly’s College of Engineering recently received accreditation for 11 of its degree programs – including a first-time accreditation for the Software Engineering program established in 2003. ABET — the accreditor for university programs in computing, engineering and technology — awards the stamp of approval that assures program quality and adds value to diplomas. Getting that approval involves an ongoing process including an on-site visit by a team of evaluators every six years.
More about the accreditation

Cal Poly Launches Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship marked its official opening Oct. 22 with a forum showcasing student ideas and projects. More than 100 student entrepreneurs, alumni, faculty, community members and media representatives gathered to encourage students and learn more about the new center. The event included remarks from Cal Poly Interim President Robert Glidden and center co-founder Jonathan York, an associate professor of entrepreneurship in the university's Orfalea College of Business. Presentations from student entrepreneurs on their new products highlighted the launch.
More on the center  | Watch KCOY News coverage of the opening | Tribune Guest Column by founding professors

Cal Poly Tech Park is Officially Open for Business on Campus

The new Cal Poly Technology Park is open and aiming to be the place where business, Cal Poly research and Cal Poly ideas blend and grow on campus. It's located at the corner of Highland Drive and Mt. Bishop Road on campus, and already has several tenants. Cal Poly hosted a grand opening reception and ribbon cutting for the park Oct. 27. Funding for the tech park came from a combination of sources: private donations, a grant from the US Economic Development Administration and CSU lease-revenue bonds.
More on the tech park opening

Mid-Year Commencement Set for Dec. 11

Mid-Year Commencement ceremonies are set for Saturday, Dec. 11, in Mott Gym. Know a December grad? Get them a Grad Pack from the Cal Poly Alumni Association. Grad Packs are $20.10 and include an annual or life membership, benefits packet and a "Cal Poly Alumni" chrome license plate frame.
Details and online orders for Grad Packs | Commencement Details | Campus Maps

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Today's Students

Cal Poly's 2011 Rose Float is in SoCal

The Cal Poly Rose Float is now in Southern California, where two student teams are getting ready for the 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade. The theme of this year's creation is "Galactic Expedition." Cal Poly Rose Float Club students and their counterparts at California State Polytechnic University Pomona have worked together every year since 1949 to produce the only student-built floral float for the Tournament of Roses Parade. The Rose Float Club is looking to line up donations to complete the float during Deco Week in December. In particular, they're asking for help securing enough yellow roses to decorate the float's 10-foot planet.
Details on the 2011 Cal Poly Rose Float

Graphic Communication Student Takes First in National Poster Contest

Brandon Lutze, a Cal Poly Graphic Communication senior, took first place in the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation 2010 Student Design Competition in the Post Secondary category. Lutze and his Cal Poly adviser, professor Lorraine Donegan, received a two-day paid trip to attend GRAPH EXPO 2010 in Chicago. Lutze was presented with a $2,000 check for his poster on the theme of “Rethink Print.”
More on Lutze's win

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Faculty & Staff

Professor Awarded Two National Science Foundation Grants
for Underwater Robot Research

Cal Poly Biological Sciences Professor Mark Moline was recently awarded two grants from the National Science Foundation. One grant will support research on the foraging environment of Adélie penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula. The other will support a collaborative effort with UC Santa Barbara to examine wind and water flows off California’s Central Coast. Both projects will use robot submarines developed at Cal Poly.
More on the robots

Agribusiness Prof to Lead Renewable Energy Workshops in Central Valley

Cal Poly Agribusiness Professor Lynn Hamilton will lead workshops on a USDA renewable energy grant program known as "REAP – Rural Energy for America Program." The workshops will take place in Bakersfield, Fresno and Tulare on Nov. 18, 19 and 30.
Details on workshops

Professor Earns Award for Advancing Women in Academia

Cal Poly Professor and City and Regional Planning Department Head Hemalata Dandekar has received the Margarita McCoy Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP). The award is presented to academic professionals who have made an outstanding contribution toward the advancement of women in planning at institutions of higher education through service, teaching, and/or research.
More on Dandekar

What Happens When Your Smart House Locks You Inside?
Professor Wants to Know

Cal Poly Philosophy Professor Patrick Lin was interviewed by NPR and the San Francisco Chronicle in October for news coverage about emerging artificial intelligence computer programs and their potential uses -- and pitfalls. Lin is director of the ethics and emerging sciences group at Cal Poly. He has been commissioned to do studies and research for the U.S. military on issues surrounding military battle robots — the topic of the NPR interview. Rapid advances in machine perception and artificial intelligence raise hard questions that should be addressed before, not after, these technologies are put into place, Professor Lin told news agencies.
Read the SF Chronicle story | Read/hear the NPR interview

Cal Poly Faculty, Associate VP Honored by Society of Fire Protection Engineers

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers has recognized an assistant vice president and two professors at Cal Poly with awards for their efforts in establishing Cal Poly’s Fire Protection Engineering program. The awards recognize professors Fred Mowrer and Chris Pascual and assistant vice president for University and Community Engagement Dean Dennis Parks.
More on the awards

Art Professor Bergman's Work on Display Through Dec. 15

Photo works by Professor Sky Bergman, chair of Cal Poly's Department of Art and Design, will be featured in a solo exhibit co-curated by Arts Obispo and the Central California Museum of Art. "Burma" features Bergman’s recent photo series about the people and land of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, in South East Asia. It's the first Central Coast showing of her work in 10 years. The free exhibit is running through Dec. 15 at ARTS Obispo, 570 Higuera Street, Suite 175, in San Luis Obispo. Hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Details on Professor Bergman's exhibit

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Coming Up

Theatre & Dance Department Staging 'Antigone' in November

Cal Poly’s Theatre & Dance Department will stage “Antigone and Letters to Soldiers Lost,” adapted from Sophocles. Performances are set for Nov. 11-13 and 18-20 in Spanos Theatre.
"Antigone" tickets

Former Presidential Daughter, Today Show Correspondent
Jenna (Bush) Hager Speaks Nov. 18

Jenna Hager, “Today” show correspondent and daughter of former President George W. Bush, will speak at Cal Poly on Nov. 18 in the first installment of the university’s 2010-11 Provocative Perspectives series. Hager’s talk will focus on “Making a Difference: How the Power of Compassion Changes Lives.” Hager will speak in the Performing Arts Center at 8 a.m. Coffee will be served at 7:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.
More on Hager's appearance

Hear Bandfest 2010 Perform in 'Garden of Dreams' Nov. 20

Join the Cal Poly Music Department as it celebrates dreams through a dazzling performance during Bandfest 2010 Nov. 10. Student performing groups inclue the "Pride of the Pacific" Mustang Band, Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. Enter this "Garden of Dreams" on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. at the Cohan Center. Tickets are $16 and $19 for general admission, $13 and $15 for seniors and $8 and $11 for students. Guest conductor for the evening will be Interim President Robert Glidden.
Details on Bandfest 2010

Cal Poly Symphony Fall Concert: 'All Roads Lead to Bach' on Nov. 21

All roads lead back to Bach in this concert featuring the Cal Poly Symphony. Featured works include music from the animated film "Fantasia" — Johann Sebastian Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor," arranged by Leopold Stokowski. Joining the student musicians will be Paul Severtson, co-concertmaster of the San Luis Obispo Symphony, and Brynn Albanese, violinist in Café Musique as well as several of the nation's top orchestras. They will perform the "Concerto for two Violins in D minor."
Details on the Cal Poly Symphony's Fall Concert

Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano Performs Nov. 26

Cal Poly Arts presents Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano on Friday, Nov. 26, in the Christopher Cohan Center. Showtime is 8 p.m. A true visionary, Nati Cano and his Los Camperos musicians have been a driving force in the mariachi tradition for five decades. Commemorating their 50th anniversary and the bicentennial of Mexico, the group’s “Viva Mexico!” performance celebrates their country’s history and colorful traditions through popular song and rich cultural stories.
Details on Nati Cano at www.calpolyarts.org

Gen. Stanley McChrystal to Speak at Cal Poly Dec. 2

Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, a pivotal leader in U.S. military operations in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2009, will speak on campus as part of Cal Poly Arts’ lecture series on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Christopher Cohan Center at Cal Poly. McChrystal, a four-star general, will speak on America’s global role and its security issues in a talk titled “The State of International Affairs and the Security Challenges Facing America.”
More on the McChrystal event

University Jazz Bands in Concert Dec. 3

Start the holidays with an eclectic mix of jazz standards and modern compositions performed by the University Jazz Bands No. 1 and No. 2 and the Cal Poly Jazz Combos. The concert starts at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3 in Spanos Theatre. Tickets cost $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors and Jazz Federation members and $6 for students.
Details on the Jazz Concert

Organic Pest Control Conference is Dec. 3-4

Cal Poly and California Certified Organic Farmers will host the ninth annual Sustainable Pest Management Conference at the San Luis Obispo Veterans Hall on Dec. 3 and 4. The conference agenda addresses upcoming changes in water regulations and hot topics in California integrated pest management including the light brown apple moth, spotted wing drosophila, Asian citrus psyllid and other pests
More Information on conference

Cal Poly Choirs' Annual 'Christmas Celebration' Concert is Dec. 4

This festive annual concert by the Cal Poly Choirs will put you in the mood for the holidays. Join us for an evening of some of the season's most beautiful music. A carol sing-a-long included. Tickets are $17 and $20 general admission, $16 and $19 for seniors and $10 for students. Performers include: PolyPhonics, The University Singers, Early Music Ensemble, and the Cal Poly Brass Ensemble (special guests conducted by Christopher Woodruff).
Details on the "Christmas Celebration"

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More Cal Poly events & entertainment