List of Cal Poly Pomona people

This list of Cal Poly Pomona people includes notable matriculating students, and alumni that have graduated or are non-matriculating students of Cal Poly Pomona, a public university, and one of the 23 general campuses of the California State University located in Pomona, California.

This is an incomplete list that may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.
Kellogg horse ranch. The first building to be erected on campus.

Alumni

Athletics

Alumni Notability Relationship to Cal Poly Pomona Citation
Dan Beebe Former commissioner of the Ohio Valley Conference from 1989–2003 and Big 12 Conference from 2007-2011. Student athlete [1]
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. Student athlete [2]
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. Student athlete (B.A. Kinesiology 1971) [3]
Glenn Davis Davis, nicknamed "Mr. Outside", won the Maxwell Award in 1944 and the Heisman Trophy in 1946. He was also among the runners up in 1944 and 1945. Davis also was named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year in 1946. Student athlete [4]
Fred Ford American football halfback for the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers of the American Football League. Student athlete [5]
Roman Gabriel Former NFL starting Quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. Served as coach of the football team during its last years. Football coach [6]
Dave Mirra X Games multiple medalist, World Record setter, considered by many as the top BMX rider of the 20th century. Student athlete (1995) [7]
Don Nomura Baseaball agent dealing primarily with Japanese baseball players such as Hideo Nomo. Student Athlete [8]
Violet Palmer First female referee in U.S. professional sports, current NBA referee and member of 1985 and 1986 NCAA championship teams. Student athlete [9]
Mark Peel (chef) He's a James Beard Foundation Award-nominated chef and founder of the La Brea Bakery. Student [10]
Joe Prokop Former professional football player for the New York Jets. Student athlete [11]
Kim Rhode Medalist in five separate Olympic Games, including three Gold medals, for double trap shooting. Student athlete [12]
Everett Sharp American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins. Student athlete [13]
Al Smith American football linebacker for the Houston Oilers in the National Football League. Student athlete [14]
Art Williams Former professional basketball player who won an NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics in 1974. Student athlete [15]
Walter Ray Williams Jr. Professional ten-pin bowler who holds the all-time PBA titles record with 47; seven-time PBA Player of the Year; also a six-time world horseshoe pitching champion. He has won an ESPY Award on six occasions. Student (B.S. Physics 1984) [16][17]
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 in the National Football League (2008–2010). Student athlete [18]

Business

Alumni Notability Relationship to Cal Poly Pomona Citation
Jack Dangermond Founder of ESRI consulting firm, the largest manufacturer and seller of GIS in the world. Student (1967)
Honorary Doctorate (2005)		 [19]
Corrinne Yu An American game programmer. Student (1980s) [20]
Beny Alagem Entrepreneur and founder of Packard Bell Electronics. Currently the owner of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Santa Monica, California. Student (1970s) .[21]
Eddy Hartenstein Co-president of Tribune Company and publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Times Magazine. Student (B.S. Aerospace Engineering 1971) .[22]
Satoshi Nakamoto Alleged founder of BitCoin digital currency. Student (B.S. Physics) .[23]
Kevin Lyman Creator of touring music and extreme sports festivals called the Warped Tour, the Taste of Chaos and the Mayhem tours Student (Recreation Administration) .[24]
Paul Tollett Along with brother Perry Tollett, founder of Coachella, Stagecoach and developers for the Pomona Fox Theater and The Glass House in Pomona. Student (Chemical Engineering) .[25]
Perry Tollett Along with brother Paul Tollett, founder of Coachella, Stagecoach and developers for the Pomona Fox Theater and The Glass House in Pomona. Student (Chemical Engineering) .[26]

Education

Alumni Notability Relationship to Cal Poly Pomona Citation
Alan Haskvitz National Teacher's Hall of Fame educator. National Teachers Hall of Fame Biography Student (B.A. Education 1972) [27]

Entertainment

Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker
Alumni Notability Relationship to Cal Poly Pomona Citation
Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen Vietnamese-American personality and co-host of Thuy Nga's Paris by Night shows. Student [28]
Kye Palmer Trumpet player who currently performs with The Tonight Show Band. Student (B.S. Engineering) [29]
Wilber Pan An American-born Taiwanese singer, rapper and drama actor, who started his career as a host of Channel V programs. Student [30]
Carol Vaness Metropolitan Opera soprano. Student (B.A. Music 1974) [31]
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. Student [9]
James Williamson Guitarist for punk rock band The Stooges and later Vice President for Technology Standards for Sony Student (B.S. Engineering 1982) [32]
Larry Wilmore Writer for and actor in The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Office, and others. Creator of The Bernie Mac Show. Student [33]
Marc Wilmore Writer for In Living Color, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The PJs. Writer and producer for The Simpsons. Student (Marketing) [34]

Government

United States Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis
Alumni Notability Relationship to Cal Poly Pomona Citation
Jim Brulte Former Republican leader of the California State Senate. Student (B.A. Political Science 1980) [9][35]
Jonathan D. Farrar Chief of Mission of the United States Interests Section in Havana, Cuba (USINT). Student (B.A. Political Science 1978) [36][37]
Richard Pombo Republican member of the United States House of Representatives. Student (attended three years) [38]
Hilda Solis Democratic United States Secretary of Labor under President Barack Obama, former member of the United States House of Representatives. Student (B.A. Political Science 1979) [37][39]
Chuck Walker Republican former mayor, city of Scotts Valley, California, candidate for Governor, California 2003. Student (B.S. Business 1989) [35][40]

Faculty

Active faculty

Faculty Notability
Michael Woo Dean of the College of Environmental Design. Former Los Angeles city councilman and in 1993, with the backing of President Bill Clinton, he became the first Asian American to run for mayor of a major city. He garnered 46 percent of the vote but lost the race for mayor of Los Angeles to Richard Riordan.
Renford Reese Professor of Political Science, author, founder and director of the "Colorful Flags" program aimed at reducing ethnic and racial tensions, servicing 17 school districts and a variety of law enforcement, social service, and other agencies in Southern California.[41]
Gabriel Georgiades Professor of Aerospace engineering and author. Georgiades has been the Regional Chair, Chair-Elect, VC of Education and Advisory Committee representative and was the former "Evolution of Flight" Program Officer for the San Gabriel Valley Region of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics [42]
Hilda Solis Democratic United States Secretary of Labor under President Barack Obama, former member of the United States House of Representatives will serve as a scholar-in-residence starting in the winter quarter of 2014.[43]
Marc Schulitz (de) Assistant Professor of Architecture.[44] He designed numerous international sports arena projects, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup Arena in Hanover and the Lentpark ice and swim stadium in Cologne, Germany
Christoph Kapeller Architecture Lecturer.[45] Founding member of Norwegian firm Snohetta and design leader for the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt.[46]
Louis Rosenberg American entrepreneur, author, screenwriter, inventor, and professor.

Retired, deceased, and former faculty

Faculty Notability
Aaron Betsky Served as visiting instructor in the Department of Architecture.[47]
Paul Caligiuri Head soccer coach and National Soccer Hall of Fame player whose 1990 "Goal Heard Round the World" (sic) launched the United States into the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 40 years. Resigned as head coach after the 2008 season.[48]
Craig Ellwood Lecturer at the Department of Architecture and influential Mid Century Modern architect.
Virginia Hamilton Adair
(deceased)		 Poet, author of "Ants on the Melon".
Ray Kappe
 Former faculty. Founding Chair of the Department of Architecture and later founded the Southern California Institute of Architecture.
Saul Landau 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.
John T. Lyle Professor of landscape architecture;[49] the Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies at Cal Poly Pomona and the Lyle plaza at the entrance to Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies at Oberlin College are named after him.[50]
Thom Mayne Former professor in the Department of Architecture. Principal of Morphosis, Pritzker Prize laureate, and Co-Founder of Southern California Institute of Architecture. (SCI-ARC)
Ronald Muldrow
(deceased)		 Jazz guitarist and former member of the Music faculty.
Richard Neutra Lecturer in the early days of the Department of Architecture[51] and influential Mid Century Modern architect featured on the cover of Time Magazine
Richard Saul Wurman Former Dean of the College of Environmental Design and Founder of the TED (conference) and given credit for coining the term "information architect".[52]
Donald H. Pflueger Historian, educator, and author. Prolific author of local stories. A founding member of the Glendora Historical Society, the Pomona Valley Historical Society. Also served on the Board of Directors of the Historical Society of Southern California.
James Pulliam Noted Modernist, Instructor and Campus Architect. He designed the Bookstore, W. Keith and Janet Kellogg Art Gallery, and Student Union Building (Bronco Student Center).[53]
Michele Saee Served as visiting instructor in the Department of Architecture from 1998 to 1999.
Raphael Soriano Noted modernist architect who experimented with steel in residential construction. Appointed Special Sessions Instructor.[54]
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.
Martín Vásquez Assistant association football (soccer) coach in 1999 and 2000. He is currently the head coach of C.D. Chivas USA, in the Major League Soccer (MLS).[55]
Bernard Zimmerman Architecture instructor for over 30 years and helped co-found the department along with Ray Kappe.[56] He was a noted Modernist architect.

University presidents

The following people have served as presidents of Cal Poly Pomona:

#NameTermCitation
1 Julian McPhee 1938–1966 [57]
2 Robert C. Kramer 1966–1977 [58]
3 Hugh O. LaBounty 1977–1991 [59]
4 Bob H. Suzuki 1991–2003 [60]
5 J. Michael Ortiz 2003–2014 [61]
6 Soraya M. Coley 2015–Present [62]

Honorary degrees

Cal Poly Pomona has conferred 16 honorary doctorate degrees since 1969.[63]

Name Degree Year Notes Citation
Andrew J.C. Cherng Doctor of Humane Letters 2008 Founder and chairman of the board for Panda Express Restaurant Group. [64]
Julia Child Doctor of Humane Letters 2000 American chef, author, and television personality. Host of The French Chef. [65]
James A. Collins Doctor of Humane Letters 1992 [66]
Bill Cosby Doctor of Humane Letters 1992 Comedian, actor, author. Leading actor in the situation comedy The Bill Cosby Show, in 1969. [66]
Jack Dangermond Doctor of Humane Letters 2005 Business executive and environmental scientist. Co-founder of the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). [66]
Richard N. Frank Doctor of Humane Letters 2009 Entrepreneur. Chairman of Lawry's Restaurants, Inc.[67] [68]
Bob B. Huntley Doctor of Science 2009 Businessman and Farmer. owner of Huntley Moore Farms. [69]
W.K. Kellogg Doctor of Humane Letters 1998 [66]
Will Keith Kellogg II Doctor of Humane Letters 1998 [66]
Russell G. Mawby Doctor of Science 1989 [66]
Emory W. Morris Doctor of Humane Letters 1969 [66]
Charles R. Oliver Doctor of Science 1996 [66]
Stuart Sperber Doctor of Science 2007
Charles Brown Voorhis Doctor of Laws 1995
Michi Nishiura Weglyn Doctor of Humane Letters 1993
Norman Williamson Jr. Doctor of Letters 1995

References

  1. ↑ Wieberg, Steve (2011-09-22). "Big 12 seeks reforms to ensure stabilty as Beebe departs". USA Today. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "Jonathan Bornstein". Chivas USA. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  3. ↑ "Alumni Spotlight - Chi Cheng, ‘71 Kinesiology". Office of Public Affairs at Cal Poly Pomona. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  4. ↑ "Glenn Davis Statistics". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
  5. ↑ "Fred Ford". jt-sw.com. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  6. ↑ "Bronco Golf Classic Raises $27,000 For Scholarships". California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Archived from the original on 2008-05-02. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  7. ↑ "About Dave Mirra". Mpora Pure Action Sports. Retrieved 2010-04-12.
  8. ↑ "Most Popular". CNN. 1996-05-27.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Cal Poly Pomona". CSU Mentor. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  10. ↑ http://www.csupomona.edu/~alumni/spotlight_peel.html
  11. ↑ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/ProkJo21.htm
  12. ↑ "PolyCentric - Cal Poly Pomona". Polycentric. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  13. ↑ "Ev Sharp". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
  14. ↑ "Al Smith". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  15. ↑ http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/williar01.html}
  16. ↑ "College of Science Alumnus Rolls to National Championship". Cal Poly Pomona College of Science. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  17. ↑ The Jordan Of ... Bowling - Espn The Magazine
  18. ↑ "Jim Zorn Plays Viola and Speedskates". Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  19. ↑ "Alumnus Jack Dangermond to Earn Honorary Doctorate". PolyCentric. Archived from the original on 2008-01-30. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  20. ↑ http://www.allgame.com/person.php?id=2497
  21. ↑ Sprout, Alison L. (1995-06-12). "Packard Bell Sells More Pcs In The U.S. Than Anyone. So Just Who Are These Guys?". CNN. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
  22. ↑ "Engineering Distinguished Alum: Eddy Hartenstein". Cal Poly Pomona College of Engineering. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  23. ↑ "Bitcoin founder lives in Temple City, attended Cal Poly Pomona". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. March 6, 2014.
  24. ↑ https://class.csupomona.edu/781/khp-alumnus-kevin-lyman-on-the-15th-year-of-warped-tour/
  25. ↑ http://polycentric.csupomona.edu/2014/03/a-music-empire-started-with-big-dreams-and-hard-work/#.UyvS1lFdVTU
  26. ↑ http://polycentric.csupomona.edu/2014/03/a-music-empire-started-with-big-dreams-and-hard-work/#.UyvS1lFdVTU
  27. ↑ "Distinguished Alumni". Office of Public Affairs at Cal Poly Pomona. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  28. ↑ "Biography". Vietnamese Music, Vietnamese Singers, Singer Biographies, Vietnamese Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  29. ↑ "Melissa Halse marries Kye Palmer". Redlands Daily Facts. 2006-09-03. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  30. ↑ "Taiwanese singer Wilber unleashes his dark side". Karazen. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  31. ↑ "Alumni Spotlight". Office of Public Affairs at Cal Poly Pomona. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  32. ↑ "Silicon Valley's secret rock star". CNN. 2010-08-16.
  33. ↑ Carter, Bill (May 9, 2014). "A Successor To ‘Colbert’ Is Named". The New York Times.
  34. ↑ Lozano, Brandon (May 19, 2010). "Television writers deliver laughs and advice". The Clarion Online. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "1980s listing". California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
  36. ↑ "Farrar, Johnathan D.". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "1970s listing". California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
  38. ↑ Coile, Zachary (2004-05-03). "PROFILE: REP. RICHARD POMBO". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  39. ↑ "Resume". Office of the Congresswoman Hilda Solis. Archived from the original on 2008-07-30. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  40. ↑ "Mayors and Council Members of Scotts Valley, California". Retrieved 2010-04-09.
  41. ↑ "Author Information". Carolina Academic Press. 2008-09-17. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  42. ↑ https://academic.csupomona.edu/pandr/prgm_all.aspx?au=1452&key=y8t1t1pr
  43. ↑ http://polycentric.csupomona.edu/news_stories/2013/11/former-labor-secretary-to-serve-as-scholar-in-residence.html
  44. ↑ http://www.csupomona.edu/~arc/
  45. ↑ http://www.csupomona.edu/~arc/faculty.html
  46. ↑ http://www.ck-architecture.com/alexandria.html
  47. ↑ http://books.google.com/books?id=SKaUH29Pzw8C&pg=PA45&lpg=PA45&dq=%22aaron+betsky%22+%2B+pomona&source=bl&ots=IqzE04J0rz&sig=FDWCmiVEA_mAXZaMbBuLMkmwSak&hl=en&sa=X&ei=M_EJT5H_E6nmiAKI48zNCQ&ved=0CFIQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=%22aaron%20betsky%22%20%2B%20pomona&f=false
  48. ↑ "Paul Caligiuri quits as Cal Poly Pomona coach - Soccer - SI.com". CNN. 2008-11-05. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
  49. ↑ John T. Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies - History
  50. ↑
  51. ↑ California State Polytechnic University, Pomona - Prioritization and Recovery Responses
  52. ↑ Stipp, David (1997-06-23). "Richard Saul Wurman The King Of Access Q: What Do Bill Gates, Daniel Boorstin, Marvin Minsky, Horace Deets, Herbie Hancock, Nicholas Negroponte, Edward De Bono, And A Slew Of Other Elite Doers And Thinkers Have In Common? A: They're All Friends Of Ted". CNN.
  53. ↑ Nelson, Valerie J. (2006-01-01). "James Pulliam, 80; Architect, Teacher Noted for Modernism". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  54. ↑ Society Of Architectural Historians/Southern California Chapter
  55. ↑ Martin Vasquez named as assistant coach at San Diego Spirit
  56. ↑ "PASSINGS / Bernard Zimmerman". Los Angeles Times. June 15, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  57. ↑ "History of Cal Poly Pomona". Cal Poly Pomona. Archived from the original on 2008-04-26. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  58. ↑ "Voices From Our Past - Cal Poly Pomona Oral History". Cal Poly Pomona. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  59. ↑ "Past and Present Leadership of the California State University". California State University. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  60. ↑ "Cal Poly Pomona President Bob H. Suzuki Announces Decision To Retire Following 2002-03 Academic Year". California State University. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  61. ↑ "President's Biography". Cal Poly Pomona. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  62. ↑ "Office of the President". Cal Poly Pomona. Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  63. ↑ Honorary Degrees Awarded Alphabetically By Last Name | CSU
  64. ↑ Andrew J. C. Cherng | Honorary Degrees | CSU
  65. ↑ Herald-Journal - Google News Archive Search
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 66.2 66.3 66.4 66.5 66.6 66.7 The Collins College | Cal Poly Pomona
  67. ↑ :: Lawry's Restaurant ::
  68. ↑ Richard N. Frank | Honorary Degrees | CSU
  69. ↑ Don B. Huntley | Honorary Degrees | CSU