Recent News
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.
Cal Poly Concrete Canoe Team Looking to Repeat as National Champions June 23-25 in San Diego
Jun 21, 2018
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Members of Cal Poly’s concrete canoe team hope to repeat as national champions at the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 31st annual National Concrete Canoe Competition scheduled June 23-25 in San Diego.
Cal Poly has won the “America’s Cup of Civil Engineering” four times, including consecutive championships from 2010 to 2012, and since 2006 it has placed in the top five nationally every year but one.
Media Advisory: Twenty High School Teams from California to Compete in Statewide Cyber Innovation Challenge June 23-25 at Cal Poly
Jun 19, 2018
Competition to give students a chance to display their expertise in preventing a mock malware attack on a health care facility
What: Twenty high school teams from across California will participate in a statewide competition designed to introduce more students to cybersecurity as a future course of study and career. The California Cyber Innovation challenge is hosted by Cal Poly and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
The participants include one team from Coast Union High School in Cambria, which was awarded Best New Cyber Team at last year’s event.
Cal Poly Wins Three Awards in Statewide Sustainability Best Practices Competition
Jun 14, 2018
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly has won three awards among California’s public and private universities and colleges for its sustainability programs in academics, student leadership and waste reduction.
The university will be honored for the 2018 Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Best Practice Awards Competition at the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference to be held July 9-13 at UC Santa Barbara.
Cal Poly Spring 2018 Commencement Ceremonies Set for June 16 and 17
Jun 13, 2018
SAN LUIS OBISPO — More than 4,800 students are eligible to graduate in three ceremonies at Cal Poly’s spring commencement Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17. The ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday in Spanos Stadium.
“Commencement is big day in the lives of our students and their families,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “For many, it is the exclamation mark on their educational experience at Cal Poly. They are leaving the university ready to begin a new challenge. I know that many will evolve into industry leaders and practitioners of innovation and creativity — skills developed and honed through Learn by Doing.
Cal Poly Spring 2018 Commencement Ceremonies Set for June 16 and 17
Jun 13, 2018
SAN LUIS OBISPO — More than 4,800 students are eligible to graduate in three ceremonies at Cal Poly’s spring commencement Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17. The ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday in Spanos Stadium.
“Commencement is big day in the lives of our students and their families,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “For many, it is the exclamation mark on their educational experience at Cal Poly. They are leaving the university ready to begin a new challenge. I know that many will evolve into industry leaders and practitioners of innovation and creativity — skills developed and honed through Learn by Doing.
Cal Poly Student Affairs Announces Gift Aimed at Eradicating Student Homelessness
Jun 12, 2018
Tanklage family’s $150,000 initiative will fund grants through Cal Poly Cares
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly Student Affairs has announced a multi-year gift by the family of an architectural engineering alumnus that aims to erase student homelessness.
Created in honor of late Cal Poly alumnus Donald Tanklage (a 1957 graduate), The Tanklage Family Initiative to End Homelessness at Cal Poly Fund will give a total of $150,000 to assist Cal Poly students struggling with homelessness and housing stability.