Professor Emeritus Bill Hendricks Named Interim Dean of CAFES
Bill Hendricks, a Cal Poly professor emeritus, was named interim dean for CAFES, effective Jan. 1, Provost Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore announced. He will serve through Aug. 31, or until the permanent dean is selected. He last role at Cal Poly was as an associate dean for the college from August 2020 through last December. In that role he oversaw college operations and enrollment management. He retired last December after 28-1/2 years at the campus. He joined Cal Poly in 1994 and taught in the Recreation Administration Program, and he served as professor and first department chair for the Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration Department. In 2016, he oversaw its transition to the Experience Industry Management Department — making it one of the first of its kind in the nation. More recently, he played a key role in the development and launch of the Experience Innovation Lab within the college’s Boswell Agricultural Technology Center, housed in the Frost Center for Research and Innovation. Hendricks received Cal Poly’s Distinguished Scholarship and Distinguished Faculty Service-Learning awards as well as CAFES Faculty Teaching Excellence honor. The former park ranger earned a doctorate in recreation and leisure from the University of Utah with an allied area in organizational communication and behavior. He received his master’s in business and public administration from John F. Kennedy University, and holds a bachelor’s degree in recreation administration, specializing in park and natural resources, from California State University, Chico. A national search for a permanent dean for the college is underway.
Cal Poly Again Ranks First in Nation in Study Abroad Survey
Cal Poly sent more students on study abroad experiences than any other master’s-level institution, according to the Institute of International Education’s annual statistical survey of U.S. campuses for the 2021-22 academic year. The report was released Nov. 13 in celebration of International Education Week. Since 2000, Cal Poly has ranked as a top sender in the nation among master’s-level universities for internationally bound students. In 2021-22, the most current numbers available, Cal Poly sent 572 students abroad to 26 nations, including some multi-country programs. Participation was from fall 2021 through summer 2022, the first full year of study abroad participation during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Note that the data does not include international students from Cal Poly or those who participated in more than one program.) Study abroad has rebounded further in the past year, with over 1,000 students having participated in programs from fall 2022 through summer 2023.
Read more about Study Abroad Survey
Poinsettia Sale set for Dec. 2 and Dec. 9
Cal Poly’s annual poinsettia sale, with thousands of plants and dozens of varieties and colors, will be held on two consecutive Saturdays, Dec. 2 and Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Poly Plant Shop. The flowering holiday plants are grown by the more than 20 students who work in the Plant Sciences Department’s greenhouses. This year’s poinsettia project offers plants in shades of red, white, pink and a plethora of other colors. Sizes range from small plants in four-inch pots to large poinsettias reaching three feet high in 14-inch pots. Prices range from $10 to $100. The sale also features student-made wreaths, centerpieces, succulents, ornaments and gifts. A group of graduate students from the Orfalea College of Business will also demonstrate making 3D-printed custom plant pots, which will also be available for purchase.
Read more about the poinsettia sale
Winter Quarter Book and Learning Circles for Employees
Employee and Organization Development announces its winter quarter Book and Learning Circles.
Book Circle
Read and discuss over three to four sessions:
- “The Art of Frugal Hedonism” by Annie Raser-Rowland and Adam Grubb.
- “Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown.
- “Hidden Potential” by Adam Grant.
Learning Circles
Watch a video or other media and discuss during a single session:
- “3 Rules for Better Work-Life Balance,” Ashley Whillans.
- “The Power of Vulnerability,” Brené Brown.
- “The Power of Habit,” Charles Duhigg.
To view book descriptions and register, visit the Book and Learning Circles webpage or the learnandgrow.calpoly.edu website.
Register for Book and Learning Circles
Revamped Institutional Research Website Offers User-Friendly Experience
Institutional Research’s newly revamped website puts the power of data at fingertips like never before. Data for publications and reports is strategically placed front-and-center. Users, navigating through a seamless interface, will find an intuitive layout with easy access to the wealth of information crucial for research and analysis. The revamped website has dynamic tools and resources, all aimed at empowering research endeavors. The newest are Registration Monitor dashboards, and more dashboards are coming. From visually engaging data visualizations to interactive elements, the site prioritizes accessibility and visibility of key information. “Embark on a journey where data takes center stage, and your research experience is elevated to new heights,” says Institutional Research.
IR: ‘where valuable insights just a click away’
Cal Poly Corporation Wins 12 International MarCom Awards
Cal Poly Corporation’s Marketing and Communications Department recently took home 12 international MarCom awards for programs, campaigns, branding and materials promoting outstanding collaborations and initiatives performed by the Digital Transformation Hub, Kennedy Library Transformation, Administration and Finance, Transportation and Parking Services, Talent Acquisition, Campus Dining and the Corporation. MarCom Awards honor excellence in marketing and communication while recognizing the creativity, hard work and generosity of industry professionals. MarCom is administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. The Corporation team earned four platinum, four gold and four honorable mention awards. This year, there were over 6,500 entries from throughout the United States, Canada and 47 other countries. Awarded to about 17 percent of recipients for most outstanding entries, the four platinum awards recognized campuswide enterprises, including Cal Poly Digital Transformation Hub’s launch of the new Cal Poly 5G Innovation Lab, Kennedy Library Transformation communications team’s public relations program, and Cal Poly Corporation’s annual report and campus partnerships supporting student success social media campaign.
View all 2023 MarCom winners
Get on the Bus and Tour CAFES Facilities Dec. 1
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) invites faculty and staff to join a driving tour to learn about the college’s unique production units and centers on Friday, Dec. 1, 2:10-4 p.m. Participants will see the Oppenheimer Family Equine Center, JUSTIN and J. LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture, the Trestle Vineyard, the Strawberry Center, Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, the greenhouse complex, rodeo grounds, dairy and creamery, the Leaning Pine Arboretum and more. See where Cal Poly wines, meats, produce, barbecue sauce, jams, ice cream, cheese and eggs are made. Participants will be offered a free scoop of Cal Poly ice cream. The bus holds a maximum of 20 people and sign-ups are required. The group will depart from Ag Circle (by the cow statue) in front of the Erhart Agriculture Building (No. 10) at 2:10 p.m. The event is part of the Poly Connections program, which connects faculty and staff with places, people and resources across campus.
Sign up for CAFES Dec. 1 facilities tour
Employee Wellness: Upcoming Session Set for Nov. 30
The Food Science and Nutrition Department will host a student-led employee wellness nutrition session, The Science of Breakfast, from 11:10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 30, in the Human Nutrition Lab in the Agricultural Sciences Building (No. 11), Room 102. The session is part of a new initiative to support employee health while providing students with valuable Learn by Doing experience under the supervision of (delete Cal Poly) nutrition professors and registered dietitian nutritionists. Students will discuss snacks at work and why breakfast is important. These sessions are first come, first serve; attendees are urged to RSVP. Questions? Email Anna Cahn at [email protected].
Holiday Cheese Boxes Feature Student-Made Products
’Tis the season for Cal Poly holiday cheese boxes! The Cal Poly Creamery has award-winning cheeses and traditional favorites, available in a variety of gift box arrangements and prices. The sale runs through mid-December, with shipping available throughout the U.S. and select dates available for on-campus pickup. Gift boxes from the creamery are a great way to share Mustang Pride during the holiday season while supporting student success. To order cheese selections in time for holiday delivery, visit the creamery website. Each purchase supports students Cal Poly's Learn by Doing tradition.
Learn more about Holiday Cheese Boxes
RSVP for Employee Holiday Party on Nov. 30
All campus employees are invited to join President Armstrong and Sharon Armstrong for a holiday reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, in the Swanson Center of Effort Conference Hall at the JUSTIN & J. LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture Building (No. 156) on Mount Bishop Road. In partnership with Cal Poly Basic Needs and the Food Pantry, guests are invited to donate items such as condiments, seasonings and cooking oils, hygiene items, snack items and peanut butter alternatives, as well as nonperishables (like nondairy milks). Donations can also be made online. Online donations can be directed to: Cal Poly Cares, the Food Pantry and/or Health and Counseling Services. Questions? Contact the Office of the President at ext. 6-6000 or [email protected].
RSVP FOR THE HOLIDAY PARTY
From New Buildings, Increasing Campus Art to Reducing Waste and Winning Awards
The 2022-23 Administration and Finance Annual Report was recently released and shares information and stories that celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of the past year. During the last academic year, the university welcomed one of its largest cohorts, with more than 5,100 first-year students. The year 2022-23 also marked 12 months of transition on campus and settling into a new reality of hybrid work and learning. The campus opened the William and Linda Frost Center for Research and Innovation; kicked off the two-year Kennedy Library Transformation; improved campus safety; increased sustainability efforts; continued to highlight diversity, equity and inclusion; and prioritized collaboration across the university. Administration and Finance staff and colleagues did this and more last year to continue to move the university forward.
Read the full annual A&R report
Save 15% on Select December Events at PAC Through Nov. 27
The Performing Arts Center invites you to shop small and support local arts organizations for holiday deals. Select shows in December are 15% off using promo code THANKSGIVING23 before midnight through Monday, Nov. 27.
Performances include:
- "The Nutcracker" (Civic Ballet of SLO), Dec. 8, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
- Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular (presented by Cal Poly Arts), Dec. 13.
- "The Snow Queen" (Ballet Theatre SLO), Dec. 15, Dec. 16 and Dec. 17.
- Holiday Festival and Sing-Along "Messiah" (SLO Master Chorale), Dec. 16.
- Jake Shimabukuro: Christmas in Hawai’i (presented by Cal Poly Arts), Dec. 19.
- New Year’s Eve Gala: From 42nd Street to the MET (OperaSLO), Dec. 31.
Dirt Work Earns Top Award at Regional Soils Competition
A team of soil science students from the Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences Department that placed first at the Soil Science Society of America's Region 6 National Collegiate Soil Competition next advances to the national competition to be held this spring in Ames, Iowa. The contest was divided into five sections: soil morphology, profile characteristics, site characteristics, USDA soil taxonomy/classification and interpretations. Students from universities throughout the West participated in the competition hosted by California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, including teams from UC Davis, New Mexico State, Humboldt and Fresno State. In addition, six of the Cal Poly’s 10 students also placed in the top 10 as individuals, including fourth-year environmental earth and soil sciences majors Kylee Nielsen in first, Nabila Wildman in second and Cody Cameron in fourth.
Cal Poly Alumna is Part of Thanksgiving Tradition
Part of any Thanksgiving meal is stuffing — the bird, of course, and, in a sense, the dinner guests too — and one Cal Poly graduate has left her mark on the popular side dish. As you head down crowded grocery store aisles in advance of the holiday, keep an eye out for Mrs. Cubbison’s boxed dressings and stuffings. Unlike Betty Crocker, Mrs. Cubbison was a flesh-and-blood person. Long before women became regulars in the corporate world, Cal Poly alumna Sophie Huchting Cubbison (home economics, 1912) parlayed her knack for baking and her “degree” into a successful company that still bears her name, according to Laura Sorvetti, an archivist in Kennedy Library's Special Collections and Archives. Mrs. Cubbison’s pre-packaged stuffing and dressing mixes remain a fixture in grocery stores throughout 11 Western states and on many Thanksgiving tables.
CSU’s Got Talent Webcast: ‘Unstoppable Resilience’; Watch it Live Nov. 29
Dr. Eva Selhub, physician, author and founder of Resiliency Experts LLC will present “Unstoppable Resilience: Avoiding Burnout and Discovering How to Flourish Instead” from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29. Selhub explains why the six pillars of resilience – physical vitality, emotional equilibrium, mental toughness and clarity, spiritual purpose, healthy personal relationships, and being an inspiring leader and part of a wider community or team – are crucial for transformative change within personal and professional lives. Register and attend this and other free webcasts using this Zoom link. Can’t make it? View previous CSU’s Got Talent recordings on Cal Poly's Learning Hub. Employee and Organization Development is offering the live webcast as part of the CSU’s Got Talent series.
Tune in to the Live Nov. 29 webcast
Faculty-Staff Housing Fall Update
Work continues on the faculty and staff housing project near the Grand Avenue campus entrance.The final design of the project at Slack Street recently completed 75% schematic design review. The project is planned to break ground in the spring. The initial phase will bring 33 much-needed single-family units, available for sale, to the site. This is the next step of a phased approach to increase housing options for faculty and staff. The second phase will include rental units at an alternate site. Additional development sites on and near campus for rental units are currently being evaluated. The long-term plans are to have 400-600 units available. Interest lists for the Slack Street and Grand Avenue, Bella Montana and future housing sites are being updated. Please note the interest list is not a waitlist for home purchase. Additional information on the waitlist process will be shared once finalized. Please direct all questions to [email protected]u.
Valerie “Val” Maijala will retire Friday, Dec. 15, after 32 years with the California State University system, including 23 years at Cal Poly. In 1999, Maijala left Cal State San Bernardino and accepted a job as an administrative assistant in the Procurement Office. She was on the first implementation team for PeopleSoft Finance, which led to her role as the CMS Finance lead. “Even though I’m looking forward to my next chapter, I’ll definitely miss my first-floor family in the Admin. Building,” she said. Her retirement plans include attending more Los Angeles Rams games, spending quality time with her family, sleeping in, traveling, pouring wine at a local winery and drinking wine (lots of wine)! Leave a farewell message on a virtual card for her, with the option to include photos and videos as well. Colleagues and friends are invited to join her for light refreshments at a farewell celebration on Thursday, Dec. 7, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Vista Grande’s third-floor patio.
Explore Cal Poly Magazine's Fall Issue
In the latest edition of Cal Poly Magazine explore the dynamic labs within the new Frost Center for Research and Innovation, where Mustangs push the boundaries of biotechnology, food science, media and more. Dive into other stories on an ecological restoration project on the Oceano Dunes, artificial intelligence in policing, marine bioaccoustics research and an alumna leading major toy brands, like Barbie. Find these stories, photo galleries, feature videos and more at Cal Poly Magazine. Take a moment to subscribe to future issues of the magazine in print and via email.
subcribe today to Cal Poly Magazine
A Good Month to Clear the Air on Smoking
November is Tobacco Cessation Month. “Tobacco-use remains the largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States,” according to the American Cancer Society. Studies have shown smoking cigarettes increases the risk of many cancers, heart attack, stroke, emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, blood vessel diseases and eye diseases. Every year on the third Thursday in November, the Great American Smokeout raises awareness of the dangers of smoking and offers support toward a healthier life. Nicotine is highly addictive and support is available. The American Cancer Society offers tips on how to quit smoking and a smoking cessation program “empowered to quit.” The National Cancer Institute offers a quit-smoking app. Contact the employee assistance program Life Matters at 800-367-7474 to start a six-week smoking cessation program with three coaching sessions. Many Cal Poly health plans also offer smoking cessation support and programs. Contact your plan provider for details. Contact Lisa Gray for the LifeMatters Tobacco Cessation Guide at [email protected].
Mariachi Group Flor de Toloache to Perform at PAC Nov. 28
Cal Poly Arts will present Flor de Toloache Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in Harold Miossi Hall. Returning to San Luis Obispo after an incredible and memorable 2019 show, this Latin Grammy-winning all-female ensemble is revolutionizing traditional Latin American music with its edgy, versatile flair. The group’s name envisions the radiant trumpet flower that hangs on the banks of rivers and the wilderness of Mexico. Transcending culture and gender,the band has enchanted global audiences with four studio albums and a fresh rock-inspired compilation. “Flor de Toloache stuns at the crossroads of fusion and mariachi girl magic,” said NPR’s Marisa Arbona-Ruiz. Experience the ensemble’s boundary-breaking fusion and be captivated by its unique sound. This event has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.
Latin Grammy-winning Flor De Toloache
Cal Poly Choirs to Present ‘Holiday Kaleidoscope’ Dec. 1
Cal Poly’s Choirs will present the seventh annual “Holiday Kaleidoscope” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in the Performing Arts Center. As a special treat, the concert will include performances by the Cal Poly Wind Ensemble and the Cuesta College Chamber Singers. In what has become an annual tradition, the Cabrillo Madrigal Singers from Lompoc will make a guest appearance, directed by Cal Poly graduate Jennifer Peterson (Music, ’95). Other fun features will include performances by the a cappella groups Take it SLO and That’s the Key. Cal Poly faculty guitarist Jim Bachman will accompany on Alf Houkum’s “Rune of Hospitality,” and new Cal Poly voice instructor and tenor Lorenzo Johnson Jr. will be featured in a powerful “modern” spiritual. University Organist Paul Woodring will accompany the choirs on piano and organ, and Scott Glysson will conduct. More information is on the Music Department’s calendar website.Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849.
Get Tickets for ‘Holiday Kaleidoscope’
Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble to Perform on Dec. 2
The Arab Music Ensemble will give its fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Performing Arts Center. The concert will open with the world premiere of “Tahiyya” (“Salutation”) by Ken Habib, the ensemble’s director, and a suite of instrumental and vocal pieces selected from Arab art and popular music and celebrated across the Eastern Mediterranean, including classic examples of the muwashshah, a genre of poetry and music that arose in 10th-century Andalusia. The program will also include a Romanian folksong and a Turkish instrumental piece that reflect the historical interconnectedness of West Asia, North Africa and Europe. Several critically acclaimed guest artists will join the ensemble on stage: Ishmael, qanan; Fathi Aljarrah, kamanja; and Faisal Zedan, percussion. San Luis Obispo dance director Jenna Mitchell will lead a dance troupe in choreography that dialogues with the music. More information is on the Music Department’s calendar website Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849.
Get Tickets for Arab Music Ensemble’s Fall Concert
Cal Poly Symphony Concert Includes Harmony Magnet Academy on Dec. 3
The Harmony Magnet Academy Symphony Orchestra (HMASO) will join the Cal Poly Symphony for its Fall Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, in the Performing Arts Center. Harmony Magnet Academy, located in Strathmore, California, was recently named one of the top 5% of high schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, and the top high school in Tulare County. The concert will begin with selections played by the HMASO, including Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, fifth movement, “Shepard’s Hymn.” The strings of both ensembles will fill the stage to perform John Corigliano’s “Voyage for String Orchestra.” The Cal Poly Symphony will perform Valerie Coleman’s “Umoja,” the Swahili word for “unity,” and Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8. More information is on the Music Department’s calendar website. Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849.
Get Tickets for Cal Poly Symphony Concert
Pianist Matthew Whitaker Comes to Spanos Theatre Dec. 6
Cal Poly Arts presents pianist Matthew Whitaker on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Spanos Theatre. Whitaker is a prodigious talent who began his musical journey at age 3. A Yamaha artist and the youngest musician endorsed by Hammond, he’s made a remarkable impact on the jazz scene. With training from the Juilliard School, Harlem School of the Arts and Manhattan School of Music, Whitaker has already performed in some of the world’s most prestigious venues. He previously studied classical piano and drums at the Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School in New York, the only community music school for the blind and visually impaired in the U.S. As a 10-year-old, he was invited to perform at Stevie Wonder’s induction into the Apollo Theater’s Hall of Fame in 2001. Whitaker has been on national and international radio and television, including “Ellen,” “The Today Show” in their documentary series “Boys Changing the World,” and CBS’s “60 Minutes.“ This event has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.
BUY TICKETS HEre
Civic Ballet’s 'The Nutcracker' at PAC Dec. 8-10
The Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo presents its annual presentation of “The Nutcracker” Friday, Dec. 8, through Sunday, Dec. 10, in Harold Miossi Hall. For over 40 years, Civic Ballet has presented this holiday classic (including 25 years performing to sold-out audiences at the PAC). Lori Lee Silvaggio’s “The Nutcracker” is filled with all the pageantry, magic and wonder that have made this one of the most enduring holiday traditions around the globe. Featuring OperaSLO Grand Orchestra, sterling production values and San Luis Obispo County’s finest dancers, this is a ballet experience not to be missed. This event has a student discount available.
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 Cal Poly Now. Download the new Cal Poly Now app on your Apple or Android device to easily find events and activities, follow clubs and organizations, and network and grow connections across campus.