Recent News
Cal Poly Symphony Concludes Season with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 and Café Musique on June 8
May 8, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Cal Poly Symphony will pair the art of tango with personal struggles against fate in its Spring Concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 8, in Harold J. Miossi Hall in the Performing Arts Center’s Christopher Cohan Center.
For the first half of the program, the orchestra will be joined by guest ensemble Café Musique for performances of two tangos — Jacob Gade’s “Jalousie” and Carlos Gardel’s “Por una Cabeza,” the latter that was featured in the 1994 film “True Lies” — both arranged by Tim Simonec, a notable film score composer.
Cal Poly’s Polyrhythmics to Perform on Campus June 4
May 8, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Polyrhythmics, Cal Poly’s percussion ensemble, will give its annual concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, in the Pavilion of the Performing Arts Center's Christopher Cohan Center.
“This year’s concert is a mallet percussion extravaganza and will include quartets, quintets and sextets that run the gamut of expressiveness and creativity,” said music faculty member John Astaire, director of Polyrhythmics.
The concert will also feature a Stomp-like number that puts to musical use waste management items — including a kitchen sink.
Cal Poly Named a Top Producer of 2018-19 Fulbright U.S. Scholars
May 8, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly has again been named a top producer of U.S. Fulbright scholars by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The distinction was in the Master’s Colleges and Universities category for the 2018-19 academic year.
Cal Poly’s latest Fulbright scholars are Nayree Barnett and Erica Jorgenson, both staff members in the university’s International Center, and Professor Peggy Papathakis of the Food Science and Nutrition Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.
Cal Poly to Host May 14 Presentation on NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory
May 7, 2019
Since its launch in 1999, the observatory has been NASA’s flagship mission for X-ray astronomy, providing images of the cosmos that cannot be seen by the human eye
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly will celebrate the 20th anniversary of NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory with a talk showcasing some of the imagery of the universe and the scientific discoveries made because of the orbiting telescope at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, in Spanos Theater on campus.
The presentation is free and open to the public.
Rodolfo Montez Jr., an astrophysicist from Massachusetts-based Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, will give an overview of the scientific discoveries enabled by Chandra — from objects in our own solar system to those at the farthest reaches of the universe.
Cal Poly Political Science Major Selected for Panetta Institute for Public Policy’s Congressional Internship Program
May 7, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — A political science major seeking a career in public service is Cal Poly’s 2019 representative to the Panetta Institute Congressional Internship Program, which gives students the opportunity to work and study in Washington, D.C.
Christine Lam will spend two weeks in August training at the Panetta Institute at CSU Monterey Bay, followed by 11 weeks in the nation’s capital working full time in the office of a congressional representative. Her studies include classes in American politics (with an emphasis in public policy) as well as science and risk communication.
Cal Poly Student Project Turns into Business Helping Parkinson’s Patients
May 7, 2019
The Gaitway is an affordable device that interrupts the sudden onset of immobility in patients, preventing falls
SAN LUIS OBISPO — A student project to help a local military veteran has become a business designed to help patients with Parkinson’s disease overcome a debilitating and dangerous symptom known as “freezing of gait.”
De Oro Devices, based in San Luis Obispo, recently edged out six other startups for a $100,000 investment during the second annual Central Coast Angel Conference Pitch Competition held in April. De Oro Devices founder Sidney Collin, who graduated from Cal Poly in March with a biomedical engineering degree, said the product will formally launch in September, allowing Parkinson’s patients everywhere to walk uninterrupted.
Cal Poly Campus Health & Wellbeing to Host New Farmers’ Market on Campus Beginning May 7
May 3, 2019
Cal Poly’s Campus Health & Wellbeing department will host the first Cal Poly Farmers’ Market, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, on Mustang Way on campus. The market will occur bi-weekly (first and third Tuesdays of the month) from May through November of this year and will feature San Luis Obispo County farmers and Cal Poly vendors.
Campus Health & Wellbeing aims to ensure that all students, staff, and faculty have access to local, seasonal, and nutritious foods through this locally hosted market.
Cal Poly Announces New Comprehensive Fundraising Campaign
May 3, 2019
The Power of Doing: The Campaign for Learn by Doing sets $700 Million Goal by 2021
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly today officially launched The Power of Doing: The Campaign for Learn by Doing, the largest fundraising initiative in university history, geared toward supporting the philosophy that has come to define a Cal Poly education.
Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong formally announced the launch of the $700 million comprehensive philanthropic campaign at this year’s Evening of Green & Gold, an annual event recognizing the university’s leading volunteers and supporters.
“This is a pivotal time in Cal Poly’s history, when we are charting our future while staying true to the core tenets that have always defined who we are,” Armstrong said. “The Power of Doing campaign ushers in a new era for Cal Poly that will bring a renewed sense of commitment and excitement to the university while ensuring that our reputation for excellence continues for many generations to come.”
Cal Poly Choirs to Present ‘For the Beauty of the Earth’ Concert on June 2
May 2, 2019
Post-Concert Retirement Reception Will Honor Longtime Faculty Vocal Teacher Jacalyn Kreitzer, Who is Retiring
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Cal Poly Choirs will come together to present a concert titled “For the Beauty of the Earth,” at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 2, in the Performing Arts Center’s Christopher Cohan Center.
The concert will consist of works about — and inspired by — the natural world.
The first half will feature the Chamber Choir and University Singers.
Cal Poly to Host California FFA State Finals Competition May 4
May 2, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly will host more than 2,000 students from across the state at the annual California State FFA Finals competition Saturday, May 4. This weekend marks the 91st year that Cal Poly has hosted the event.
Numerous local high schools with an FFA chapter in San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties are expected to participate, including Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Coast Union (Cambria), Morro Bay, Nipomo, Templeton, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria and Pioneer Valley (Santa Maria) high schools. In all, more than 160 schools from across California will take part.