Recent News

Monthlong Cal Poly Summer Program Attracts 135 International University Students

Jul 25, 2018

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s third Summer International Workshop has attracted 135 participants — including more than 120 from Egypt — seeking the university’s Learn by Doing style of education.

The turnout is the largest since mechanical engineering Professor Eltahry Elghandour inspired the annual series of learning opportunities in 2016. In February, he traveled to Egypt where he met with several universities and held information sessions promote the program.

Cal Poly University Police Department Announces Retirement of K-9 Xello and Arrival of K-9 Zeus

Jul 20, 2018

SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Cal Poly University Police Department is retiring K-9 Xello, and welcoming K-9 Zeus. 

Xello, who has spent the last seven years serving the community, will be honored on July 25 during a private retirement ceremony with the department, friends and his handler, Officer Stephanie Pipan.

“Working alongside Xello has been an amazing experience,” Officer Pipan said. “His retirement is much deserved.”

Cal Poly to Name Center for Wine and Viticulture in Recognition of Two Key Donors

Jul 11, 2018

SAN LUIS OBISPO — In recognition of the generosity and philanthropic support of two vital donors to the building of Cal Poly’s Center for Wine and Viticulture, the center will be named the JUSTIN and J. LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture. 

Lynda and Stewart Resnick, owners of JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, a family-run winery that focuses on Bordeaux varieties and Syrah in west Paso Robles, donated $2.5 million to Cal Poly’s campaign to build the Center for Wine and Viticulture. The center will be co-named for Jerry Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards, an industry icon also based in Paso Robles who also committed $2.5 million in funding.

“The local wine community has stepped forward in support of this project, solidifying a partnership with Cal Poly that will not only benefit students for years to come but will provide the rigorously trained talent that the wine industry depends on,” said Andrew Thulin, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.

Cal Poly Students Create Final Piece for Disabled Man to Participate in SLO Triathlon

Jul 9, 2018

Joseph Cornelius, who can’t walk or talk, will participate in annual swim-bike-run race with his dad on July 22  

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly engineering students have once again contributed to the heart-warming story of Joseph Cornelius, creating a unique bike trailer that the special needs man can use to participate in the July 22 SLO Triathlon with his father. 

Cal Poly students have now completed three projects that Joseph can use to compete in each of the triathlon events.

Inaugural Cal Poly Honor Choir Festival Concert Set for Aug. 4

Jul 3, 2018

SAN LUIS OBISPO — High school singers from throughout the state will combine with Cal Poly singers for the Cal Poly High School Honor Choir Festival Concert at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, in the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.

This is the inaugural year of the festival, established by Cal Poly Director of Choral Activities Scott Glysson to provide an opportunity for talented high school singers to perform great music alongside collegiate singers and work with accomplished conductors. 

Cal Poly Professor Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to Create Nutrition Training Program in Africa

Jun 29, 2018

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly nutrition Professor Peggy Papathakis has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to spend 10 months in Malawi, Africa, teaching and helping to build the curriculum for a nutrition training program for clinical dietitians at the University of Malawi, College of Medicine.

Papathakis joined Cal Poly’s Food Science and Nutrition Department in 2006 determined to engage in nutrition research in developing countries and provide global experiences for Cal Poly nutrition students. In the last decade more than 30 students have worked on her numerous research studies focused on improving the nutritional intake of pregnant women in the small country of Malawi, in southeastern Africa. 

Cal Poly Professor Leads Students on New Quest to Find Sunken History Off of Malta

Jun 28, 2018

Computer science students explore European island known for rich culture and shipwrecks

SAN LUIS OBISPO —  A year after Zoë Wood and her students found a sunken World War II bomber, the Cal Poly computer science professor has brought a new team to the Mediterranean Sea, hoping technology they developed will help them discover more hidden history.

Wood and three students are currently in Malta, a postcard-worthy island 50 miles south of Sicily that is rich with history and culture. It’s also a mecca for divers seeking sunken ships, some of which date back centuries.

This marks the third and final year of a $250,000 National Science Foundation-funded project pairing the Cal Poly contingency with Christopher Clark, from Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, Calif., and Timmy Gambin, a professor at the University of Malta. During the four-week trip, the group wants to find wrecks and then use an automated underwater vehicle (AUV) to collect data that will allow them to generate 3-D digital reconstructions.

Cal Poly’s Concrete Canoe Team Repeats as National Champions in Dominating Performance

Jun 26, 2018

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s concrete canoe team repeated as national champions over the weekend, nearly sweeping the entire event with a visually stunning canoe that channeled Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh.

This is the fifth time Cal Poly has won the “America’s Cup of Civil Engineering,” having previously taken the honors in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2017.

“I’m not too surprised, because we were all very confident in the products and efforts that we put out,” said project manager Brandon Friedman, a civil engineering junior from Porter Ranch, Calif. “Still, it’s pretty humbling.”

American Society of Civil Engineers’ 31st annual National Concrete Canoe Competition was held June 23-25 in San Diego; presentations were made on the campus of San Diego State, and racing heats were held in Mission Bay’s DeAnza Cove.

North Hollywood High School Wins Title at California Cyber Innovation Challenge at Cal Poly

Jun 26, 2018

Twenty high school teams competed in simulated cybersecurity challenges during annual statewide competition

SAN LUIS OBISPO — After successfully blocking a mock ransomware attack on a medical facility, North Hollywood High School’s “Truman” team took first place in the annual California Cyber Innovation Challenge, hosted June 23-25 at Cal Poly.

More than 100 high school students from around the state took part in the two-day competition, designed to replicate the many different threats that cybersecurity professionals face. This year’s challenge transformed Cal Poly’s California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI) into a military hospital so students could immerse themselves in a real-world scenario using state-of-the-art forensics tools.

Cal Poly Appoints New Director for TRIO Achievers Program

Jun 21, 2018

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly Student Affairs has named alumna Ethny Stewart as director of the federally funded TRIO Achievers program. She assumed her new position in early June.
 
In her role, Stewart will oversee all aspects of the program, including budget administration, staff supervision and compliance with all grant rules and regulations mandated by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, she will implement university-specific policies and procedures for the program, as well as providing personal and academic advising to program participants.