California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
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| California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | |
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| Motto: | Instrumentum Disciplinae (Latin: "Application of Knowledge") |
| Established: | 1938 |
| Type: | Public |
| Endowment: | >US$30 million [1] |
| President: | J. Michael Ortiz |
| Faculty: | 672 |
| Undergraduates: | 17,306 |
| Postgraduates: | 1,911 |
| Location: |  Pomona, California, USA |
| Campus: | Suburban, 1,437 acres (5.8 km²) |
| Colors: | Green and Gold |
| Nickname: | Broncos |
| Mascot: | Billy Bronco |
| Affiliations: | California State University system |
| Website: | Cal Poly Pomona |
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California State Polytechnic University, Pomona is a public, nationally-ranked, coeducational university situated at the western corner of the city of Pomona, a suburb of Los Angeles, California. Officially also known as Cal Poly Pomona, and commonly called Cal Poly among locals (but never by the university [2], as that name properly refers to California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo), it is one of the 23 campuses of the California State University. The University offers a full spectrum of degrees but is best known for its engineering, agricultural, architectural, and business programs.
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[edit] History
[edit] W.K. Kellogg develops Arabian horse ranch
W.K. Kellogg, known for his famous Corn Flakes, had a life long passion for Arabian horses. After purchasing 377 acres (1.53 km²) at a cost of $25,000 USD, Kellogg developed the land into a world-renowned Arabian horse ranch. The first building erected contained the horse stables and it used to be located where the university plaza currently exists.
On May 17, 1932 a crowd of more that 20,000 spectators converged on the ranch to witness Kellogg’s donation of his Arabian Horse Ranch, including 87 horses to the California State University. In return for the generous grant, the University agreed to keep the Arabian horses and to continue the Sunday Horse shows that began in 1927.
In 1927, Charles B. Voorhis purchased 150 acres (0.61 km²) of land near San Dimas to build a facility for students of agriculture.
In 1933, Julian McPhee, assumed the presidency of the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Known for his tight fiscal policy, McPhee saved the University during the years of the great depression. After those bleak years, McPhee's vision of expanding Cal Poly to Southern California came close to reality.
[edit] Cal Poly Pomona expands
Plagued with financial problems, Voorhis was forced to close his doors only ten years after he had opened his facility. The demise of the facility gave McPhee the opportunity to expand Cal Poly Pomona. In August of 1938, Charles Voorhis donated his facility as a gift to what is today the California State University System. In the same year, McPhee’s request for the land was approved and the entire horticulture program was moved from San Luis Obispo to the new Southern California campus.
Further expansion was halted by the onset of World War II. The southern Cal Poly campus was closed when the majority of its students were called into active duty and the former Kellogg ranch was transformed into an Army remount station. After the war, the ranch faced an uncertain future, but in 1949 the 813-acre (3.29 km²) W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Ranch was deeded to the state, a proposal to which Kellogg foundation agreed, provided the Sunday horse shows returned.
In 1949, the first Cal Poly Pomona Float was entered in the Tournament of the Roses Parade and won the Award of Merit. The Rose Float tradition continues today and marks the partnership between the two Cal Poly campuses.
In 1956, the first classes were held on the campus in the present-day science building. Six programs in agriculture, leading to four Bachelor of Science degrees, were offered. In the class of 1957, 57 agricultural majors were the first graduates of Cal Poly Pomona. By 1959, the curricula of the college included six degree programs in the arts and sciences and four in their nationally recognized engineering program.
[edit] Split from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly Pomona broke off from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1966, becoming a separate campus of the California State University system. Since 1949, Cal Poly SLO and Cal Poly Pomona have cooperated on creating a float for the Rose Parade. The float program is one of the longest consecutive running self-built entries in the parade, as well as the only "self built" floats designed and constructed entirely by students year-round on both campuses.
[edit] Women join Cal Poly Pomona
Many changes occurred in 1961 which affected Cal Poly Pomona profoundly. The Master Plan for Higher Education established the California State College System with its own Board of Trustees, and 329 women enrolled at the University for the first time. In that same year, the Legislature enacted Education Code Section 22606, which identified the primary function of the State College as “…the provision of instruction for undergraduate students and graduate students, through the master’s degree, in the liberal arts and sciences, in applied fields and in the professions, including the teaching profession.”
The Legislature recognized the special responsibility of this institution as a “polytechnic college” by adding Education Code 40051 which authorized the college to emphasize “…the applied fields of agriculture, business, home economics, and other occupational and professional fields.”
In 1966, the California State Polytechnic College, Kellogg-Voorhis, was established as a separate institution from the San Luis Obispo school. Both campuses were awarded full university status in 1972. On June 1, 1972, the campus name was officially changed to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. In 1982, The California State University and Colleges became The California State University.
The college has gone through tremendous growth in the last fifty years, with the construction of the C/L/A Building and new College of Engineering, and addition of innovative programs such as the Center for Regenerative Studies and International Polytechnic High School. Cal Poly's biggest current project is its $58.5 million library expansion. According to university spokesperson Uyen Mai, "At this time the university is focused on the renovation of buildings 1 and 3 to create more classroom space. We're also in the early phase of design for new student housing to accommodate another 800 students as well as a new building for one of our biggest colleges, the College of Business." In addition, the school just completed its first parking structure adding 2,378 new parking spaces.[1] Currently, Cal Poly Pomona is a nationally and internationally recognized institution with approximately 19,800 students and 2,640 faculty and staff members.
[edit] Academics
Cal Poly Pomona promotes its "learn by doing" philosophy, where an essential part of the curriculum is hands-on application of knowledge. The university shares with the University of California, Riverside, the distinction of having the only agriculture programs in Southern California. Farmlands flank the campus, giving a stark contrast to a stereotypical urban university. Furthermore, Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo maintain the only accredited architecture programs in the California State University system.
Cal Poly Pomona ranked 31st among Western Colleges in the U.S. News & World Report's 2006 college ranking [3] and was named one of the "Best of the West" by The Princeton Review. [4]
The most popular undergraduate majors include Architecture, Business Administration, Liberal Studies, Computer Science, Animal Science, Hospitality management, Biology, and Psychology. In terms of comprehensive rankings, U.S. News & World Report placed Cal Poly Pomona's Engineering Program 5th nationally among the best public undergraduate engineering programs, and 14th overall, in the publication's 2006 Guide to Colleges 1. The Architecture undergraduate program was ranked 15th nationally by the journal DesignIntelligence in 2008.
Some departments (including engineering and architecture) continue to follow the originally mandatory requirement for an undergraduate senior/research thesis to graduate.
[edit] Programs and degrees
The university offers BA, BS, B.Arch and Masters Degrees in eight colleges:
- Agriculture
- Business
- Education and Integrative Studies
- Collins School of Hospitality Management
- Engineering
- Environmental Design
- College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
- Science
[edit] College of Engineering
The $52 million Engineering Laboratory Building is an impressive two story structure that houses a 117,000 square feet (10,900 m²) state-of-the-art learning environment, an appropriate setting for the largest engineering college in California.
The College of Engineering provides study opportunities to more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students in seven engineering departments, offering eleven programs leading to Bachelor of Science degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Engineering, Engineering Technology (Mechanical and Manufacturing options), and Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology. In addition, the graduate division offers programs leading to Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Management, and Mechanical Engineering. The undergraduate curricula are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission or the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc. (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
College Rankings
Cal Poly Pomona is 14th overall in the nation for top undergraduate programs in engineering, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2006 College Rankings: Universities-Master’s category. Of the top 14 schools, only five are public schools, which makes Cal Poly Pomona the 5th best public school for engineering in the U.S. (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, U.S. Military Academic, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy).
Cal Poly Pomona is 9th overall in the nation for top Civil Engineering undergraduate programs, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2006 College Rankings: Universities-Master’s category. Of the top 9 schools, only four are public schools, which makes Cal Poly Pomona the 4th best public school for Civil Engineering in the U.S.
Cal Poly Pomona is 13th overall in the nation for top Electrical Engineering undergraduate programs, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2006 College Rankings: Universities-Master’s category. Of the top 13 schools, only six are public schools, which makes Cal Poly Pomona the 6th best public school for Electrical Engineering in the U.S.
Cal Poly Pomona is 15th overall in the nation for top Mechanical Engineering undergraduate programs, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2006 College Rankings: Universities-Master’s category. Of the top 15 schools, only five are public schools, which makes Cal Poly Pomona the 5th best public school for Mechanical Engineering in the U.S.
[edit] Athletics
The Cal Poly Pomona Broncos fields twelve sports for men and women for the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Fall sports for men are cross country and soccer. Fall sports for women are cross country, soccer, and volleyball. The winter sport for men and women is basketball. Spring sports for men are baseball, tennis, and track and field. Spring sports for women are tennis and track and field.
The Cal Poly Pomona is a NCAA Division II school that competes in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Cal Poly Pomona most recently boasting the 2001 and 2002 women's basketball national champions and is competitive in most major Division II sports. As of 2006, 13 national championships have been won in the following events:
- Men's sports: Baseball (1983, 1980, 1976), Cross country (1983)
- Women's sports: Basketball (2002, 2001, 1986, 1985, 1982), Tennis (1992, 1991, 1981, 1980)
Over the years, 369 Cal Poly athletes have earned All-American honors in their respective sports, including 90 in men's track and field alone.
Two notable sports facilities serve as home venues for Cal Poly sports. The Bronco baseball team plays home games at the Scolinos Field on campus named after the baseball coach who led the team to three national championships. The volleyball team plays at Darlene May Gymnasium on campus. This facility was named after the women's basketball coach who led her team to three national championships.[2] The women's basketball team rarely plays in the May Gym preferring to play in the larger Kellogg Gym (seats 5,000) with the men's team.
Cal Poly Pomona has not had a football team since 1982. The university cancelled their football program because of operating expense.[3]
[edit] Noted students and alumni
- Jonathan Bornstein - American professional footballer who plays as a left midfielder/defender for the United States men's national soccer team and Chivas USA in the MLS.
- Jim Brulte – Former Republican leader of the California State Senate (class of 1980).
- Chi Cheng – Olympic Bronze medalist, World Record setter and Taiwan political leader, considered by many as the top female Asian athlete of the 20th century.
- Jack Dangermond – Founder and President of ESRI, the largest manufacturer and seller of geographic information systems in the world.
- Alan Haskvitz, National Teacher's Hall of Fame educator [6]
- Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen, Vietnamese-American personality and co-host of Thuy Nga's Paris by Night shows.
- Violet Palmer – First female referee in U.S. professional sports, current NBA referee and member of 1985 and 1986 NCAA championship teams.
- Wilber Pan - American-born Taiwanese singer, rapper, and actor.
- Richard Pombo – Republican member of the United States House of Representatives (attended three years).
- Kim Rhode – Medalist in three separate Olympic Games, including two Gold medals, for double trap shooting.
- Hilda Solis – Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives.
- Carol Vaness - Metropolitan Opera soprano.
- Forest Whitaker - Academy Award winning actor ("Panic Room," "The Crying Game", "The Last King of Scotland"), director ("Waiting to Exhale") and host of UPN’s revival of The Twilight Zone
- Walter Ray Williams Jr. - professional ten-pin bowler who holds the all-time PBA titles record with 44; also a six-time world horseshoe pitching champion.
- Jim Zorn – NFL player; NFLPA's NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year (1976); starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks during their first seven seasons (1976 - 1983); head coach of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (2008- ).
[edit] Noted faculty members
[edit] Active faculty
- Paul Caligiuri—Head soccer coach and National Soccer Hall of Fame player whose 1990 'Goal Heard Round the World' launched the United States into the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 40 years.
[edit] Retired, deceased, and former faculty
- Virginia Hamilton Adair (deceased)—Poet, author of "Ants on the Melon".
- Takeo Uesugi—Professor emeritus in Landscape Architecture noted for his work in Japanese gardens, Dr. Uesugi designed the garden at the Washington Center in Washington, D.C., among other notable landmarks.
- Darlene May (deceased)—Former head coach of the women's basketball team.
- Ronald Muldrow (deceased)—Jazz guitarist and former member of the Music faculty.
- Phillip Clarke (deceased)—Pianist and professor of the Music Department Faculty.
- Saul Landau (former faculty)—Director of Digital Media Programs noted internationally for his films and writing on domestic policy and cultural issues, he is the recipient of numerous awards, including a 1980 Emmy.
- Ray Kappe (former faculty)- Founding Chair of the Department of Architecture.
[edit] Student life
Cal Poly Pomona is located in what could be called an industrial-agricultural suburb. This location has contributed to limited local housing and a largely commuter student body. This, in part, has led to an environment where many students come to school only for class and a less active student body than is traditionally seen at state colleges. Unlike most California Universities, Cal Poly Pomona does not have a student TV or radio station, but campus events are covered by the student newspaper, the Poly Post. A rival newspaper/e-letter The Pomona Point formed in 2007 to satirize articles written in the Poly Post as well as humour students who are familiar with buildings, events, and ideas seen on campus.
PolyCentric [7] is the university's official online magazine. PolyCentric features up-to-the-minute breaking news, announcements of campus events, spotlight on various departments, and faculty and staff resources. The Web site also provides a comprehensive archival search for past articles and photos.
The students of Cal Poly elected their first female student body president in 1983. This was the last campus in the CSU to elect a female as the President of the Associated Students, Inc. Teresa Shuff, and Agricultural Business Management major served as ASI President during the 1983-1984 academic year.
[edit] Controversies
In 1998, the university planned to confer an honorary degree to Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe (the degree was to be conferred at the College of Business commencement, on June 13; Mugabe would be the commencement speaker). Strong negative opinion arose among students and employees; most often cited were anti-Semitic and anti-gay statements made by Mugabe and human rights violations that had taken place during his regime. The Faculty Senate passed a resolution against conferring an honorary degree. Mugabe's decision not to attend the commencement provided a rationale for the decision by the university not to grant the degree.
[edit] Campus buildings
- CLA Building - Apart from the bland Modernist boxes that are typical of CSU campuses, Cal Poly Pomona is also home to a futuristic-looking structure called the Classroom/Laboratory/Administration Building. Designed by Antoine Predock, the CLA Building was used in the films Gattaca and Impostor as well as several TV commercials for products such as cars and cell phones.
- W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center - As part of the 22 terms and conditions to the donation of the Kellogg ranch, the University maintains a herd of purebred Arabian horses. These horses became the defining character of the University's mascot, The Broncos.
- Old Stables - The Arabian Horse Center was formerly located here and horse performances were held behind the structure where the University Union now stands. The Old Stables is now part of the University Union Plaza and serves as offices for student services and organizations.
- Rose Garden - The Rose Garden is located behind the CLA building and is one of the oldest sites of the Campus. In the 1990s a gazebo was added in the center together with the Walk of Fame.
- Japanese Garden - The Japanese Garden was built in the Summer of 2003, costing $777,000 and covering 57,650 square feet (5,400 m²), it is located next to the CLA building adjacent to the Rose Garden.
- John T. Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies - This facility, built adjacent to an old landfill, stresses sustainable technology and agriculture, with solar-powered dormitories, aquaculture ponds, and organic gardens.
- BioTrek - Composed of a rainforest greenhouse, a California ethnobotany garden, and an aquatic biology center, BioTrek provides environmental education at all levels.
- Innovation Village - The Innovation Village is a section of land that is part of the Kellogg ranch deed, as a separate section independent of the University, it is managed by a cooperative called AccelTech, formed between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the College of the Extended University of Cal Poly Pomona. AccelTech is also sponsored by other institutions like Caltech and Larta Institute. The 65 acres (263,000 m²) tract of land is located between South Campus Drive and Valley Boulevard.
- International Polytechnic High School is a public college preparatory high school located on the western edge of Parking Lot K. It is operated by the Los Angeles County Office of Education in conjunction with the College of Education and Integrative Studies.
- American Red Cross blood processing center - The first and anchor tenant of the new Innovation Village, the American Red Cross built their largest blood processing center in the United States in Innovation Village, which was completed early 2005 and opened May 13, 2005.
[edit] Notable involvements
- Tournament of Roses - Cal Poly Pomona together with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has participated in the Tournament of Roses since 1949. In the period from 1949–2005, the floats have won 44 awards.
[edit] External links
- Official Cal Poly Pomona Site
- Cal Poly Pomona University Library
- Cal Poly Pomona Campus History
- PolyCentric, the university's online magazine
- The Keith & Jean Kellogg Honors College
- The Poly Post Student Newspaper
- Cal Poly Pomona Streamcams
- Official athletics website
- Student-run Teacher Review/Schedule Creation Site
- Student-run News and Forum Site
[edit] References
- ^ Kennedy-Ross, Selicia. "What's in the future for I. E. universities?", San Bernardino Sun, October 17, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ^ PolyPost: Former Coaches Join Cal Poly’s Hall of Fame
- ^ PolyPost: No funds no football
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