More than 5,000 Cal Poly students were honored in this year’s six commencement ceremonies held Saturday and Sunday, June 17 and 18, at the Alex G. Spanos Stadium. “For these young women and men, commencement is their reward for years of dedication, hard work and overcoming a variety of challenges,” said President Armstrong. “These graduates-to-be adapted as the can-do individuals they are. So, I’m proud to welcome them into our expanding family of Mustang alumni and wish them success and happiness as they begin their journeys, whether starting careers or continuing their studies here at Cal Poly or at universities across the nation.” Two university alumni received honorary degrees on Saturday: Richard Bradshaw (Mathematics, ’70); and three-term Assemblyman Khatchik “Katcho” Achadjian (Business Administration, ’76), who died March 5, 2020, at age 68.
Cal Poly Receives Top Five-Star Ranking in Money Magazine
Cal Poly is among the 34 top public and private universities in the nation, according to Money magazine’s 2023 Best Colleges rankings. The personal finance website — which reports on mortgages, loans, credit, investing and more — analyzed dozens of data points, including graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid and alumni salaries, to find colleges that combine quality and affordability. Money redesigned its rankings system this year, abandoning numbered listings in favor of a star-tiered system, setting its list apart from other publications. The magazine used six rankings — from 2.5 to 5 stars — to identify the 736 schools “where your tuition (and time) is likely to pay off.” Cal Poly achieved the five-star rating along with 33 other schools across the U.S., including such Ivy League universities as Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Columbia. Cal Poly was among seven top California schools — and the only CSU campus — to receive five-star recognition. The others are California Institute of Technology and Stanford University, both private research institutions, and four UC campuses: Berkeley, Irvine, Los Angeles and San Diego. More than 90% of Cal Poly graduates are working full time or in graduate schools within a year. Students go on to earn median salaries of just over $85,000 in their early careers, a premium over similar schools, according to Money’s analysis. Rankings were released in late June. There is no single “best college” topping Money’s new list, which attempts to address how worried students are about tuition prices and getting their money’s worth.
To see the full Money rankings
Need a Headshot? UCM Photographers Will Take Your Photo Aug. 15-17
Editor's note: The portrait clinic appointments are fully booked as of July 12. University Communications and Marketing hopes to host more dates in the future. Please look for details in future editions of the Cal Poly Report.
Faculty and staff are invited to have a professional portrait photo taken between 9 a.m. and noon Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 15-17, in the UCM studio in the Graphic Arts Building (No. 26), Room 110. Appointments are required. Sign ups were through Calendly. UCM campus photographers will take free head shots of current faculty and staff to update professional platforms. Questions? Reach out to [email protected].
Long List of Campus Enhancement Projects to Begin in Summer
Summer is bustling with nearly a dozen major campus capital projects in support of the university’s Master Plan. These include building the John Madden Football Center adjacent to Spanos Stadium, reconfiguring the Administration Building parking lot, renovating the interior of the UU, expanding the Technology Park on Mount Bishop Road and beginning the Kennedy Library transformation — a project that will take several years to complete. While these developments are intended to enhance the quality of university life, they may create temporary inconveniences for employees, students and campus visitors. Several parking lot projects will also occur throughout the summer involving resealing, re-asphalting and restriping. The work will be completed in phases, with one lot impacted at a time. Specific dates for each lot closure have not yet been determined. Affected lots include G2, H4a, H4d, H4e, C2d, and C2c. For more information on parking lot closures, visit Transportation and Parking Services.
See more details on the construction projects
58 Student-Athletes Earn Big West All-Academic Team Honors
Fifty-eight Cal Poly scholar-athletes were named to the 2023 Big West Spring All-Academic Team. To qualify, honorees (excluding true freshmen and first-year transfers) had to maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA through the most recent academic term while also competing in at least 50 percent of their program's competitions. The Mustang men’s and women’s track and field teams made up half of the honorees. Among the selections were three student-athletes who also earned individual titles during May's Big West Championship: seniors Mathis Bresko (pole vault) and Amaya Lopez-Fuller (discus), and junior Anthony Guerra (3,000-meter steeplechase). Additionally, graduate student John Bennett (distance events) was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America first team during the season, senior Shelby Daniele established a record for the indoor 200 meters, and junior Jadyn Snaer set a new indoor 60-meter dash mark. The women's tennis program, conference championship runners-up in April, was represented by graduate student Kim Bhunu and seniors Delanie Dunkle and Melissa LaMette. The men's tennis team garnered five further selections — 71 percent of its eligible roster. The beach volleyball program, another Big West Championship runner-up, earned four selections, including all-conference first team honorees Piper Ferch and Piper Naess. The softball team produced seven selections, one shy of the program record set in 2022, including sophomore center fielder Jessica Clements -- the leading hitter in program history and a two-time NFCA All-Region honoree. The baseball program received five selections, highlighted by All-Big West second team honoree and sophomore catcher Ryan Stafford.
Read the complete Big West Spring All-Academic Team
Cal Poly Off-Campus Housing Program Partners with EDUrain Housing Rental Platform
Cal Poly’s Off-Campus Housing Program has partnered with EDUrain, an online platform that streamlines the off-campus housing rental process for students. EDUrain’s marketplaces offer a centralized and customized hub to simplify the housing search process for students and features a roommate search function, a subleasing element, credit-building program through on-time rental payments, an alternative security deposit program and a scholarship search, among others. The partnership aims to help relieve the challenges students face finding housing, said Sarah Bacio, Cal Poly Off-Campus Housing Program coordinator.
Cal Poly Athletics Seeks Fall Football Stampede Volunteers
Athletics is seeking volunteers for various positions during the pregame Stampede Barbecue at six home football games. Volunteers are needed to: check-in attendees, check IDs and pour beer. Opportunites are available to all who wish to partcipate! Ask a friend, family member or spouse to join in the fun!
In addition to being able to enjoy live music and build community with other Mustang fans, Volunteers Receive:
- Complimentary tickets to the games worked.
- Complimentary food and drink during event.
- Official Cal Poly Athletics gear to those who work at least three games.
Home Football Dates (Times to be determined):
- Sept. 2 vs. University of San Diego (Staff and Faculty Appreciation)
- Sept. 16 vs. Lincoln
- Sept. 30 vs. UC Davis (Homecoming)
- Oct. 7 vs. Idaho
- Oct. 21 vs. Northern Colorado (Parent and Family Weekend)
- Nov. 18 vs. Weber State
For more information, contact Athletic Events Coordinator Jake Hitchcock at [email protected].
Cal Poly Foundation Board to Meet Aug 12
The Cal Poly Foundation board of directors will hold its quarterly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. In compliance with Cal Poly Foundation Policy 122, public comments for meeting discussion items must be emailed by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, to [email protected]. To obtain the meeting agenda, email your request to [email protected] after Monday, Aug. 7. Cal Poly staff and members of the public are encouraged to virtually participate and can request Zoom login information by registering with the Cal Poly Foundation Office at [email protected]. Registration as a non-speaking guest for electronic or telephonic meetings is required. Once registered, login details will be provided. Registration requests should be emailed at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. For more information, contact the Cal Poly Foundation at 805-756-7147 or [email protected].
Six Great Grads Who Demonstrate Learn by Doing
From marine science to landscape architecture and beyond, six graduates from the Class of 2023 overcame obstacles — including a pandemic that derailed their first years — to build connections, excel academically and realize bright futures.
Read more about them at Cal Poly News
Engineering Students Shoot for the Moon in NASA Challenge
In early June, two teams of engineering students headed to the Johnson Space Center in Texas to compete in NASA's Micro-g NExT Challenge, where they — along with students from around the country — showed prototypes designed to address specific challenges in space exploration. NASA learns from all prototypes as they develop solutions for future missions. “I’m still just shocked that my Cal Poly education has provided me an opportunity like that,” said student Andrew Reese, who participated in the challenge.
Professor Peter Schuster is Man Enough to be a Girl Scout
Mechanical engineering Professor Peter Schuster has a sweet new honor. The senior project organizer was honored by the Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast for his contributions to the community, earning him the title “Man Enough to be a Girl Scout.” Only four volunteers out of more than 4,000 received the award this year, says CEO Tammie Helmuth, who oversees the area council and its growing membership of more than 5,700 girls. Over the last two years, Schuster has forged a partnership with the Girl Scouts and enlisted nearly 40 engineering students to design and construct five devices for the group, including a weeding robot and a rapid composter.
After 54 years associated with the Cal Poly Athletics Department, including as basketball team manager while a student and mathematics major in the early 1970s, through a 20-plus year stint as The Tribune’s sports editor and, for the last 22 years, with Cal Poly Athletics communications, Eric Burdick announced his retirement at the end of June. A fixture at thousands of sporting events in San Luis Obispo County during his career, Burdick has served as Cal Poly’s associate director of athletics for communications since 2014.
Ryan Allen, a carpenter in Facilities Operations, who worked with many departments and colleges across campus since 2019, unexpectedly passed away June 13. During his time at Cal Poly, he approached each interaction with a generous attitude and open mind. No matter the complexity of the task — a structural issue, complex leak diagnosis or the installation of a small plaque — Allen was approachable and kind. Those closest to him came to benefit from a loyalty and pride that reflected a love that burned fiercely for the things he cared about. If he was able to help with a task, at work or at home, he gave you his best. Whether sharing knowledge of finish cabinetry or strategy on the soccer pitch, Allen believed you deserved his best. He was not shy about helping people succeed. His coworkers would like to say to his family, wife, Annie, and sons, Oscar and George: “Thank you for sharing Ryan with Cal Poly. Please know that the impact Ryan made with his hard work, skilled craft and time will continue to touch generations of students, faculty and staff on our campus.” A celebration of his life was held July 8 at Atascadero Lake.
Cal Poly to Offer Assistance During July, BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
University Personnel and the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion are working to raise awareness of the unique mental health struggles of historically disenfranchised groups in the U.S. Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) disproportionately face higher levels of trauma while also having less access to mental health resources. Cal Poly can help, as the campus remains focused on becoming a more diverse, equitable and inclusive place for all. LifeMatters (sign in: calpoly) — Cal Poly’s employee assistance program — offers mental health support, information and screenings for all employees and their household members. LifeMatters can be reached at 800-367-7474. Its services are provided free to employees. Additional resources are also available in times of crisis. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides around-the-clock confidential support to people in mental health-related distress. Call or text 988 for immediate access to mental health professionals for yourself or on behalf of another.
CSU’s Got Talent July 25 Webcast: ‘Know No Limits: Achieving Successful Change Inevitably Means Overcoming Obstacles’
Employee and Organization Development welcomes all employees to participate in another edition of the CSU’s Got Talent series. Oscar "Oz" Sanchez will present a webcast, “Know No Limits: Achieving Successful Change Inevitably Means Overcoming Obstacles.” Sanchez is no stranger to overcoming adversity. By the time he graduated high school, he was involved with drugs, gangs and street life. He turned his life around following a stint in the Marine Corps, when he joined an elite special operations force. His life changed forever when he was involved in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident, resulting in a spinal cord injury. Sanchez went on to become a Paralympic and World Champion handcyclist, winning numerous medals. The webcast is from 10 to 11 a.m. PDT, Tuesday, July 25. Can’t make it? See previous CSU’s Got Talent recordings on the Learning Hub.
Register and attend free CSU’s Got Talent series webcast
Registrar’s Student Center Software Upgrade to Go Live in August
The PeopleSoft Student Center will be upgraded In early August. The new Student Center will feature a mobile-friendly interface, intuitive navigation and convenient access to enrollment, financial and academic progress resources. The Office of the Registrar website will be updated with tutorials and instructions during the coming weeks to familiarize students with the platform’s new look.
Alumni Affinity Network Hosts BIPOC Winemaker Experience Aug. 4
Join the Cal Poly Black and Latinx Alumni Communities for a special on-campus wine education experience from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4, at the Advanced Technology Lab (No. 7). This 21+ event will showcase BIPOC and alumni voices in the California wine industry. Panelists will discuss their journeys into the wine industry and how they got where they are now. Tickets are $15 and include wine tasting, parking and a special Cal Poly souvenir.
Learn more and purchase tickets
Summer Book Circles for Employees
Employee and Organization Development is offering a series of summer Book Circles, where participants can engage in enriching conversations and connect with peers across campus. Book Circles involve reading a book over the course of three to four sessions. The available sessions are:
- “The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown.” Nathan Furr and Susannah Harmon Furr: Gain the inspiration, tools and strategies needed to embrace uncertainty and thrive.
- “Atlas of the Heart.” Brené Brown: Explores 87 emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. Learn about mapping meaningful connections and the language of human experience.
To view full descriptions and register to attend, visit Book and Learning Circles.
Summer Statistical Consulting Available to Campus by Appointment
.
Event Postings
Cal Poly Arts 2023-24 Season Packed With Artists Around the Globe
The upcoming Cal Poly Arts season promises to be one of most dynamic yet, featuring four award-winning Broadway shows and performances by such artists as David Sedaris, Herb Alpert, Taj Mahal and Bruce Hornsby. And in keeping with tradition, there’s an exclusive 20% discount on tickets to all Cal Poly faculty and staff. The benefits don't end there! Faculty and staff who become subscribers (purchasing tickets to at least four shows by Sunday, July 30) get early access to the best seats. To use the 20% discount, contact the Cal Poly Ticket Office or use this direct link. The 20% discount will continue when single ticket sales begin Monday, Aug. 7.
Events.calpoly.edu is a new platform that shines a spotlight on high-profile special events at Cal Poly and throughout our community, focusing on the wide and diverse range of activities on and around campus. This site is designed to help our colleges, programs, departments and facilities promote exciting events that can be seen by a selected audience. It will update regularly and includes events happening in the next 30-45 days. It is not a calendar of all events, and it does not include student club events. Here are some links to help you navigate:
Submitting an Event to Events.calpoly.edu
To submit your event for consideration, please send the event title, date, time, duration, ticket information, intended audience(s) and image (1600 bpi wide) to [email protected].
University Events Calendar
To find a listing of all events — such as performances, lectures, workshops and more — visit our Master Calendar.
Scheduling/Booking Venues
25Live: Space and Event Scheduling can help you schedule or book a venue for an upcoming on-campus event.
Note that a minimum three-day lead time is required to process a request for use of space through the Office of the Registrar.
Visit Cal Poly Now for Student Affairs events, learning opportunities and more
Find the latest student-focused campus events from your favorite Student Affairs programs and services by visiting the new Cal Poly Now.