Recent News
Cal Poly’s Western Bonanza Junior Livestock Show to Celebrate 35 Years Feb. 15-17
Feb 6, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s Western Bonanza Junior Livestock Show will celebrate its 35th anniversary when it returns to the Paso Robles Event Center Friday to Sunday, Feb. 15-17.
Western Bonanza — the largest student-run exhibition of its kind on the West Coast — began as a senior project in 1985 and has grown to be one of the largest and most successful student-run jackpot shows with more than 658 exhibitors and 1,200 steers, heifers, lambs, hogs and meat goats entered in the show.
Cal Poly Vice President for Student Affairs Recognized by National Industry Association
Feb 5, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The American College Personnel Association (ACPA) has named Keith Humphrey, Cal Poly’s vice president for Student Affairs, as its 2019 Innovative Practice Award recipient.
The award honors student affairs practitioners for their innovative approach to creating co-curricular experiences that positively impact students.
Cal Poly Symphony to Feature Student Soloists and Music of Space at Winter Concert March 3
Feb 4, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly Symphony’s Winter Concert will showcase the talents of student soloists at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, in Harold J. Miossi Hall in the Performing Arts Center’s Christopher Cohan Center. In addition, the orchestra will perform music from “Star Trek” and Holst’s “The Planets.”
The Student Soloist Showcase will include performances by six instrumentalists, all winners of the Cal Poly Music Department’s Solo Competition in November.
The soloists are Grant Smith, who will perform Josef Rheinberger’s Organ Concerto No. 2, third movement; Victor Wei, who will play Takashi Yoshimatsu’s Saxophone Concerto “Cyber-bird,” Op. 59, second movement; Justin Privitera, who will play Franz Strauss’ Horn Concerto, Op. 8, third movement; Nico Borst, who will perform Joseph Haydn’s Piano Concerto No. 11 in D Major, first movement, and the duo Clay X. Froelich, violin, and Laila Zaidi, viola, who will play Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Sinfonia Concertante,” KV 364, first movement.
Cal Poly’s University Jazz Bands to Showcase Improvisation at Just Jazz Concert on March 2
Feb 4, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The art of improvisation will be showcased at Cal Poly’s University Jazz Bands annual Just Jazz concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2, in Harold J. Miossi Hall in the Performing Arts Center’s Christopher Cohan Center.
“The excitement and surprise inherent in the art of improvisation will be in the hands of a new generation of jazz musicians,” said Paul Rinzler, director of jazz studies. “It’s great to hear the emotion and the attitude that the students bring to the craft of jazz improvisation. Their personalities really shine through in a way that makes it easy for an audience to appreciate and to accompany the musician on the journey that is jazz improvisation.”
Country Artists Casey Donahew and Chancey Williams to Perform at Poly Royal Rodeo April 13
Feb 1, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Texas country music sensation Casey Donahew will bring his legendary live show to the headline concert at the 79th annual Poly Royal Rodeo at Cal Poly’s Alex G. Spanos Stadium. He will perform after the rodeo Saturday, April 13.
Donahew has risen from a favorite in the Texas music scene to a national sensation, with 16 No. 1 singles, all released independently of major record labels.
A second concert has been added to the weekend’s festivities. Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band will take the stage Friday, April 12, after the rodeo — as well as playing an opening set before Donahew’s Saturday performance.
Cal Poly Theatre and Dance Department Presents Shakespeare’s Timeless Classic ‘The Tempest’ Feb. 28-March 2, 7-9
Jan 31, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s Theatre and Dance Department will present William Shakespeare’s final play “The Tempest” at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 28-March 2 and March 7-9 in the Spanos Theatre on campus.
“‘The Tempest’ is Shakespeare’s last known solo play; considered by many one of his best,” said Josh Machamer, chair of the Cal Poly Theatre and Dance Department and director of the production. “A distant island, a storm, a shipwreck, and some magic — in this reimagining of Shakespeare’s classical play, all is not what it seems. Plots of revenge are hatched, young love blossoms, and those that are lost become found.”
Author Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor to Speak Feb. 21 at Cal Poly
Jan 28, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly will host public speaker and author Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, in Miossi Hall in the Performing
Arts Center.
An assistant professor at Princeton University, Taylor specializes in the subjects of black politics, social movements and racial inequality in the United States. Her most recent book “From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation,” is a stirring and insightful analysis in which she surveys the historical and contemporary ravages of racism and the persistence of structural inequality such as mass incarceration and black unemployment. In this context, she argues that the new struggle against police violence holds the potential to reignite a broader push for black liberation.
Cal Poly Named a Most Promising Place to Work in Student Affairs for 2019
Jan 28, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and Diverse: Issues in Higher Education have again named Cal Poly one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs for 2019. The university previously earned the distinction in 2017.
Cal Poly was selected from hundreds of higher education institutions across the country to receive the award for its focus on workplace diversity, staffing practices and workplace environment. Additional categories included family friendliness, salary and benefits, and professional development opportunities.
Cal Poly Achieves Endowment Fundraising Goal of $200,000 with Generous Contribution Match from Quad/Graphics
Jan 25, 2019
Quad/Graphics Eric Steinbach Memorial Graphic Communication Endowment to Fund Student Scholarships and Support University’s Graphic Communication Program
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department has met its $200,000 fundraising goal for a new endowment in honor of the late Eric Steinbach, a longtime supporter of the program and the university.
The department announced this week that it reached its goal thanks to a $100,000 matching grant from Quad/Graphics, which was presented by Quad/Graphics Chairman, President and CEO Joel Quadracci during Cal Poly’s annual International Graphic Communication Week celebration held Jan. 23 at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. The initial $100,000 raised for the endowment came from family and friends of Eric Steinbach, Quad employees; Cal Poly alumni, faculty and staff; and corporations and investment funds.
Cal Poly to Provide Free Tax Preparation for Underserved Communities
Jan 25, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — For the 27th consecutive year, Cal Poly’s Orfalea College of Business will provide free tax return preparation assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Clinics will be held in San Luis Obispo, Oceano and Santa Maria in February and March.
Cal Poly’s on-campus VITA clinics will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from Feb. 2 through March 16. Sessions at the other locations will be by appointment.