Cal Poly News
Meet the Village People
At the end of April, students from all over the state converged for a competition held in Cal Poly’s backyard: Design Village, which has become a trademark event for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design. This year, a small architectural engineering graduate studio — made up of students who couldn’t participate in Design Village as first-year students due to the COVID-19 pandemic — participated, finally getting the full Design Village experience.
Cal Poly Partners
Board of Directors Annual Meeting Set for June 7
The Cal Poly Partners board of director meeting will be held Friday, June 7, at noon in the third-floor conference room at the Vista Grande Dining Complex. The meeting is open to the public. Written public comments must be submitted no later than Wednesday, June 5, via email to [email protected]. Any person desiring to speak on any board item must fill out a board Appearance Request and submit it at least 24 hours before the meeting. Speakers are limited to three minutes. Please note the Zoom session is for the public to view only. In-person overflow space will be provided for viewing if needed. Those who plan to comment should arrive at 11:45 a.m. More information will be made available on the Cal Poly Partners website along with the agenda five days in advance of the meeting. Questions? Call Holly Clark at ext. 6-1131.
Campus Housing Projects
Permanent Parking, Road Closures to Begin June 17
Starting June 17, permanent parking lot and road closures will take effect as campus prepares for the construction of new campus housing. The impacted parking areas are: Lots R1, K1 and K2, located behind the North Mountain and Red Brick residence halls. Deer Road, Klamath Road and Mountain Lane will also permanently close, with limited access remaining for service and emergency vehicles. Learn more about the closures and alternative parking lots here. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to explore sustainable commuter options. For more information, email [email protected].
Learn more about closures and alternative parking
Fall Conference Honoree
Leslie Nelson Named 2023-24 Outstanding Faculty Advisor
Leslie Nelson, associate professor of communication studies, has received the 2023-24 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award, which recognizes a faculty member who has had a positive influence on students through academic advising. As highlighted in the nominations received, Nelson’s commitment to student growth and success has a profound impact on the success of her students, personally and academically. She will be recognized at the Fall Conference general session in September and will receive a cash stipend.
Read more on the Outstanding Faculty Advisor website
Learn by Doing Good Honors
Recipients of Inaugural Awards Recognized
Recipients of the inaugural Learn by Doing Good Awards were recognized at a May 1 ceremony at the Performing Arts Center lobby. Honorees were recognized by President Armstrong for service, leadership and engagement on campus and off. The Leadership and Service Department hosted the event. Recipients were:
Students
- Leadership: Ana Banuelos
- Engagement: Cristian Reyes
- Distinction: Alexander Levine
- Service-Learning: Mylene Vachon
- Significant Contribution: Kelly Christian
- Significant Contribution (CollegeCorps Fellow): Jacalyn Schick
Faculty
- Advocacy: Helene Finger
- Service-Learning: Martha Galván-Mandujano
- Service-Learning (Team): Amber Karson and Jennifer Prentice
- Significant Contribution: Erin Pearse
Community
- Outstanding Campus-Community Collaboration: Experience Industry Management Department and Special Olympics
- Outstanding Community Partner: City Farm SLO
Center for Service in Action
Donate to Back-to-School Supply Drive by June 14
The Center for Service in Action, in collaboration with the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services, is seeking donations for its Back-to-School Supply Drive for the 2024-25 academic year. This initiative aims to collect essential school supplies for local teens and foster youth in need. Support this worthy cause by donating items from the center’s Amazon gift registry. The deadline for donations is Friday, June 14.
Outstanding Student Employee of the Year Announced
On May 24 the honorees and their nominating supervisors joined President Armstrong and Mrs. Armstrong at the Outstanding Student Employee of the Year (OSEY) luncheon to celebrate their achievements and impact on Cal Poly. This year’s winners are:
Outstanding Student Employee of the Year: Vinny Torres, University Diversity and Inclusion.
First runner-up: Shefali Mistry, Academic Senate.
Second runner-up: Nessa Huynh, ASI.
President Armstrong offered congratulations to all 18 student-employee nominees for their contributions to the university.
SEE the full list of OSEY nominees
BFA Exhibition to Open May 31
The University Art Gallery will present the Senior BFA Exhibition from May 31 to June 14. This year’s display will feature the works of 22 student artists in two showcases: works of photography and videography in “After All, I Exist” and a studio art component titled “Safety in Hotspot.” The show celebrates the artistic advancement of these soon-to-be graduates of the Art and Design Department’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program. An opening reception is set for Friday, May 31, from 5-7 p.m. in the gallery, located in Room 171 of the Dexter Building (No. 34). Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cal Poly News
Cultivating Tenderness
Students in the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program have volunteered thousands of hours supporting local schools, nonprofit organizations and the city of San Luis Obispo. For some College Corps fellows serving at City Farm SLO, that’s included facilitating therapeutic horticulture sessions for local high school students. That means they’re growing more than just kale.
After a career spanning almost three decades, Fred DePiero will embark on a new journey: retirement. While serving Cal Poly, DePiero took a leadership role in pivotal student-centered initiatives in engineering, including expanding support services and advancement of underserved populations. He continues to be a tireless advocate for student success and a tremendous colleague, mentor and friend. Read more about his accomplishments. To celebrate DePiero’s remarkable legacy, a retirement reception will be held Thursday, June 6, from 4-6 p.m. in the Bonderson Engineering Project Center (No. 197).
RSVP for the june 6 retirement celebration
Jeff Reimer, instructional support technician in the Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences Department, is retiring after 27 years at Cal Poly. He joined the department in 1997 after earning a bachelor’s degree in forestry and natural resources and a master’s degree in agriculture. Reimer has served countless students and faculty during his time at the university as well as contributing to important campus initiatives. His last day will be Friday, June 14. Wish him well in his new adventures by signing his online tribute. He and his wife, Carey, plan to hit the road in their camper and explore.
Music Department
Applications for Teen Summer Music Camp Due June 2
The Music Department will host its 2024 Summer Music Camp July 17-20. The camp is open to all California high school-age instrumentalists and vocalists. Applications are being accepted through Sunday, June 2. Participants will be able to stay in residence halls while engaging in a variety of musical opportunities that include:
- Rehearsing with faculty and students in a choir, concert band or string chamber group.
- Taking a private lesson with Cal Poly instructors.
- Sampling music classes.
- Spending time with current music majors.
- Exploring San Luis Obispo and local areas of interest.
Learn more on Music Camp website
ASI Recreational Sports
Youth Swim Lessons Offered at Rec Center!
Previously open only to Recreation Center members, ASI Recreational Sports now offers small, tailored group Youth Swim Lessons for children of faculty, staff and other eligible Cal Poly community members. Sign up a child for swim lessons to give them the opportunity to learn with others of similar skill levels and be paired with instructors that best fit their abilities!
ASI Recreational Sports
Summer Family Fun Days Coming to the Rec Center
Looking for family fun this summer? If only there were a facility with a beautiful pool, outdoor sports, basketball courts and much, much more. There is and it’s right on campus! Recreation Center members and their family and friends are invited to ASI’s Family Fun Days this summer. From June 20 to Sept. 1, members can host friends and family at center facilities Thursdays through Sunday — 44 total days! See you this summer!
Student Concert
‘Soundings’ Show to Feature Boston-Based Transient Canvas May 30-31
The Music Department’s “Soundings” performances will feature the contemporary duo Transient Canvas at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30, and Friday, May 31, in the Pavilion of the Performing Arts Center. The annual multidisciplinary productions showcase will feature original compositions and instruments by music technology and composition students with original choreography by Theatre and Dance Department students. Bass clarinetist Amy Advocat and marimbist Matt Sharrock of Transient Canvas will perform the work of student composers on the program of electroacoustic music, electronic music, pre-recorded sounds and singer-songwriters performing original songs.
Learn more on Music Department’s website
Free Student Performance
‘Passage’ Staged Reading and Panel Talk Planned on May 30
A staged reading of “Passage,” Obie Award-winning playwright Christopher Chen’s riveting 2019 play about the impacts of colonialism and power dynamics on human relationships, will be held Thursday, May 30, at 6 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre (Room 212) in the Davidson Music Center (No. 45). Student performance will lead into an interdisciplinary panel talk, “Failure to Connect: Legacies of Colonialism and the Human Condition.” Theatre and Dance Department lecturer Hala Baki will moderate the panel, featuring playwright and educator Andrew Saito and C.T. Aradanas, an ethnic studies lecturer. The event is free; space is limited.
For more information and to RSVP
Arab Music Ensemble
Spring Concert Set for June 1
The Arab Music Ensemble will give its spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1, in the Performing Arts Center. Vocal and instrumental Arab art music will be featured with metric modes reaching 24 beats per measure! Popular songs from Egypt, Greece, Iraq and Romania will also be on the program. The dance troupe will join for two songs, one by Farid al-Atrash, and the other, a tour de force by Baligh Hamdi. The guest artists will be Rafid Yalda on nay, Ishmael on qanun and Fathi Aljarrah on kamanja.
Read more on Music Department’s website
Student Concert
Wind Bands to Present ‘All Hail, Green and Gold!’ Concert on June 2
The Wind Bands’ “All Hail, Green and Gold!” concert will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 2, in the Performing Arts Center. It will feature the Alumni Symphonic Band, which includes members who attended Cal Poly in the 1950s. The Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble will open the program with several works, including David Maslanka’s “A Child’s Garden of Dreams” and Stephen Bryant’s “Dusk.” The alumni band will play “Adventures” by Ayatey Shabazz, Frank Ticheli’s “Blue Shades” and more. Director of Bands Emeritus William V. Johnson will conduct one of the pieces.
Learn more on the Music Department’s website
Theatre and Dance Department
One Act Festival Set for June 7-9
The Theatre and Dance Department will present 10 student-written and directed world premiere plays as part of the One Act Festival from June 7-9 in the Black Box Theatre (Room 212) of the Davidson Music Center Building (No. 45). The works include a range of stories from haunting angels and families in crisis to wizards and their snacks. The One Act Festival will run Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 9, at 2 p.m. Admission is free; seating is limited.