Paving theWay TO FINANCIAL - Cal Poly Pomona
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CAL POLY POMONA MAGAZINE | FALL 2021 Paving theWay TO FINANCIAL SECURITY
THAT’S SoCalPoly A RECORD YEAR CHALLENGE
A collection of tidbits The university ACCEPTED
and short stories that received $53 million Bronco alumni
celebrates our campus’ in contributions to performed on the court
unique location, support student success and behind the scenes
traditions and inclusive initiatives, scholarships, at the Tokyo Olympics
polytechnic identity. research, labs and more. this year. PAGE 24
PAGE 2 PAGE 12
OUR
PAVING THE WAY IN MEMORIAM POLYTECHNIC
TO FINANCIAL Ron Simons’ legacy ADVANTAGE
SECURITY will endure through PAGE 28
Student success is a Rose Float, the Alumni
collective effort, and Association and many
donors play a critical other programs he
role in helping students helped establish and
finish what they’ve lead. PAGE 18
started. PAGE 7
UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP
Soraya M. Coley, University President
Iris Levine, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Christina Gonzales, Vice President for Student Affairs
John W. McGuthry, Vice President/CIO for Information Technology &
Institutional Planning
Daniel Montplaisir, Vice President for University Advancement
Ysabel Trinidad, Vice President/CFO for Administration and Finance
Amon Rappaport, Senior Associate Vice President for Communications
and Chief Communications Officer
S. Terri Gomez, Associate Provost for Student Success, Equity and Innovation
Nicole A. Hawkes, Chief of Staff
UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT LEADERSHIP
Daniel Montplaisir, Vice President for University Advancement
Doug Nelson, Senior Associate Vice President for University Development
Gina Johnson, Assistant Vice President for Central Development
Melissa Riordan, Executive Director for Alumni and External Relations
Natalie Graff, Executive Director for Advancement Services
DEPARTMENT OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
Amon Rappaport, Chief Communications Officer
Esther Chou Tanaka, Executive Director and Editor
John Replogle, Executive Speech Writer
Ani Markarian, Lead Creative
Tom Zasadzinski, University Photographer
Melanie Johnson, Senior Writer and Assistant Editor
Nancy Yeang, Advancement Communications Specialist
Cynthia Peters, Senior Media Relations Specialist
Mercedes Quiroz, University Web Editor
Michelle Magcalas, Web Coordinator
Clay Fowler, Digital Content Editor
Stephanie Abraham, Senior Marketing Communications Specialist
Tambra Williams, Executive Assistant
Monika Salazar, Administrative Assistant
Janean Sorrell, Student Assistant
Anika Ausness, Student Assistant
CONTRIBUTORS
Melissa McCoy (story editor), Micayla Anderson, Andrea DeCoudres,
Samantha Gonzaga, Daniel Griggs, David Sedillo, Connie Schmitz The 2022 Rose Float, “Stargrazers,” is the first Cal Poly Universities’ float
As part of our commitment to green printing, CPP Magazine is
constructed in the new Don Miller and Ron Simons Rose Float and Design Complex.
printed on FSC®-certified paper. The Forest Stewardship Council™
(FSC) promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial
and economically viable management of the world’s forests.
FORMULATING A WINNING
MODEL UN TEAM
The Model United Nations is an educational 1. 2. 3. 4.
simulation where students learn about international TEAM ENROLL IN WRITE ATTEND
relations. After months of preparation, students attend FORMATION CLS 4100 POSITION CONFERENCE IN
an annual conference as representatives of a country In fall, students apply In spring, students PAPER NEW YORK CITY
and solve a problem with other delegates (students) to be on the team. spend Tuesday and The team breaks up into Students work in various
from around the world. The immersive experience Selected applicants Thursday evenings in pairs, and each pair is committees alongside other
strengthens students’ critical thinking, research, public interview with the the library, researching assigned to a committee. delegates from universities
speaking, negotiating and writing. advisor and the team’s the rules and Each committee pair to draft resolutions and build
In spring 2021, the team represented the country of two head delegates. The procedures of the UN. writes a position paper a strong team of sponsors
Malta at the virtual conference and won Distinguished final team consists of on their country’s stance to pass policies. Teams win
about 20 students from on a topic. awards for excellent public
Delegation. Advisor and Political Science Professor Marc
different majors. speaking, collaboration,
Scarcelli shares the steps for preparing a winning team.
research and writing.
Adrian Danganan Adrienne Castleton
How would you describe your career? How would you describe your career?
’16, communication ’11, management and human resources
One word: unique. Being able to share my love for food with an FOOD CONTENT CREATOR AND PERSONALITY HAND LETTERING AND Amazing and busy! I love that I can put as much time into it as I
audience as a career is far, far away from a 9-to-5 job. But the want and I am able to work in my dream field while also being a
freedom to work whenever and however I please while having fun
BASED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ILLUSTRATION ARTIST mom. I have been able to push myself as an artist and a person to
is unparalleled. @eatwithadrian on TikTok and Instagram @studio80design on Instagram accomplish things I never thought possible.
How did your CPP experience shape your social media What motivates you to be an influencer?
presence/career? I enjoy sharing my love for art and hand lettering with others and
My content creator journey began because of a college course. my children. Art is my creative outlet that keeps me mentally and
We were tasked with creating a blog, and my blog centered on my emotionally healthy, so the chance to help other people learn art
love for Filipino food. After the course ended, I decided to continue while connecting with them is awesome!
and use my newfound knowledge to expand my focus to Southern
California food trends, as well as to migrate to other platforms like How did your CPP experience shape your social media
Instagram and YouTube. presence/career?
I definitely learned how to run the business side from my time at
How did you gain your large following? CPP. I gained important skills like how to communicate and work
When the pandemic began, I noticed that TikTok was up and with other people and companies.
coming. I began a series asking whether people would eat certain
foods I’ve had. The trend began to pick up, and because of TikTok’s What is the key to success in your business?
unpredictable algorithm, users decided to stick around for the ride.
Be true to who you are! Everyone has their own unique point of
view and experiences that shape who they are and creates their
What is the key to success in your business? own voice that they can share with others.
It is so important to be genuine and honest with your audience.
Being your most authentic self allows your viewers to develop an What type of posts are most popular with your audience?
understanding of your presence on social media and decide why they
My audience loves seeing tutorials on hand-lettering and illustration.
should consider you a staple in whatever field you’re in.
Process videos and how-to-draw posts do really well and let my
audience see how I create something so they can try it. When schools
Any advice for building a social media following? shut down last year and kids had to do school from home, I taught 25
Be consistent and be the truest version of yourself. It is so easy to free online classes for kids and adults — it was a great experience!
get lost in the numbers game, and constantly checking on likes and
followers can really take a toll on your mental health! Being a content Any advice for building a social media following?
creator is exhilarating, gratifying and so much fun; don’t ever lose
Be genuine. Don’t be afraid to take risks and try something that seems
sight of what you’re doing and why you’re doing this.
scary because it’s new. You never know where it might take you!
2 cppMAGAZINE 3
2 20
3D printers
Student Innovation Idea Labs
Current
spaces
The Student Innovation Idea Labs (SIIL)
enhance the PolyX experience by creating
By the
Numbers Letterpress
1
spaces that foster creativity, innovation and
entrepreneurship. The Maker Space in the University
Library and Innovation Orchard at Ganesha High
School in Pomona, as well as three future spaces,
Sewing and
3 2
allow students to collaborate with their peers on
projects, research and creative ventures. embroidery 3D scanners
machines
1993
A Brief History Professor Philip Pregill establishes the Italy ARE TWO CENTRIST SENATORS
Study Abroad Program, partnering with the
ITALY STUDY ABROAD Santa Chiara Study Center, a resident research REALLY SO POWERFUL?
PROGRAM institution and a cultural liaison. Housed in a
renovated 15th-century convent, the center has were saying she might vote no. But her vote was necessary
For landscape architecture students in the Ahead of the 2022 elections, the Biden
student dormitories, dining and study spaces. to get him on the court. She voted yes, because it would
College of Environmental Design, Castiglion administration and Democrats are working
Its famous courtyard overlooks the Val di Chio, have been such a huge blow to Trump and the party to vote
Fiorentino is practically a rite of passage. one of several lush valleys at the foothills of the hard to advance major agenda items. Neilan
otherwise. That’s just how moderates operate.
This Tuscan hill town of 13,000 hosts Apennine Mountains. Chaturvedi, associate professor of political
2017
science and author of “Life in the Middle:
the Italy Study Abroad Program and has Why aren’t there more moderate Senators?
Marginalized Moderate Senators in the Era of Polarization,”
welcomed more than 700 Cal Poly Pomona There aren’t any truly moderate states. There are
Amici di ENV (Friends of ENV) is launched explains power dynamics in the U.S. Senate, the influence of
students since 1993. It is arguably the states that are moderate in the aggregate. For example,
to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the centrist Senators and whether the filibuster might become history.
longest-running study abroad program at Cal Maine has that rural constituency that’s very, very
Department of Landscape Architecture. Open
conservative and a more liberal northeast region that is
Poly Pomona. Each fall, students to 20 non-student guests, the nine-day tour What is the role of centrists? amenable to liberal policies. To represent them, if you
spend 12 weeks in rural highlights the rural delights of the region: food, The story is really polarization. Centrists give you the votes stay right in the middle, you’re going to piss off most of
east Tuscany, their days wine, print-making with local artisans, cooking, you need to get things done, but they are not powerbrokers. Some the voters every time. So, Collins has to straddle both
occupied with field even truffle hunting. Democrats say, “I wish we could get rid of Joe Manchin.” Okay, well sides instead of representing the middle.
trips to significant
sites, exhibitions,
2018 you’re going to lose the Senate forever. You need people like Manchin
to get things done, unless you restructure the Senate.
Manchin is a Democrat representing deep red
West Virginia. It’s kind of impossible to do, but he does
The program finds a new base in Agritourismo Republicans needed Susan Collins, for example, to get Brett a pretty good job of it. He has to straddle that line and
sketching verdant Sorgente. The program itself is unaltered. Kavanaugh on the U.S. Supreme Court. You may not particularly like demonstrate the independence to represent West
2020
landscapes, and that Collins is on your team, that someone is shooting 40 percent of the Virginia and not the Democratic party.
visits to Rome time for the other team, but you need them because they are the best None of those are really positions of power.
COVID-19 is declared a national emergency, and you can get. Republicans wouldn’t trade that for a Democrat.
and Venice.
university travel is suspended. The department Any predictions for 2022?
also pauses Amici di ENV. Are Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema the center of power? If Republicans win the Senate, it would be by a
2022 No. If they were to vote against major party legislation, that’s
basically handing their party a significant blow. It brings the party
small margin. Then the situation becomes flipped.
Instead of Manchin and Sinema being the deciding
The Italy Study Abroad Program hopes to brand down and hits them pretty hard, too. That doesn’t give them votes, it’s Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, mainly
resume in spring 2022, pending public much power. Collins because Maine is more moderate than
health guidance. Where centrists do vote against the party, it’s specifically in votes Murkowski’s more independent and conservative Alaska.
that are inconsequential. This doesn’t make them powerful as much as If Republicans take control, Collins will be the one
Catch a glimpse of Castiglion Fiorentino at it makes them scared of their mixed constituencies. looking like Manchin, protecting the filibuster because
https://vimeo.com/289578492 Ahead of Collins’ vote in Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing, people she doesn’t want any extra pressure on herself.
5
Paving
theWay
TO FINANCIAL
SECURITY
By Melanie Johnson
The financial road to degree completion is not an easy one for many Cal Poly
Pomona students.
But at CPP, student success isn’t just an individual goal. It is a collective
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE effort, and donors play an enormous role in ensuring that students get the
foundation they need to succeed in a career and life with as little debt and
financial distractions as possible.
A Launching Pad for a Lifetime of Success For the 2020-21 fiscal year, around $2.95 million was awarded in
scholarships and, of that, $2.1 million came from scholarship funds created
with philanthropic gifts. About 70 percent of the university’s students receive
Each year, the educational foundation for our students to take-off in search of financial aid, with 44 percent awarded Pell grants and 22 percent taking on
technology firm CollegeNet releases their goals and ambitions. federal loans.
their Social Mobility Index, an analysis A critical component to this launching pad is the Cal Poly Pomona donors, whether they create an endowment or chip in a
of which colleges and universities host of scholarships available to support students little bit at a time with a payroll deduction, make a tremendous difference in the
attract an economically diverse student during their Cal Poly Pomona journey. In this edition of lives of students.
body and propel them into a lifetime of CPP Magazine, you meet a few of your fellow Broncos
success. In the most recent report, Cal and see how scholarships make a direct and immediate
Poly Pomona not only ranked as the impact in the lives of our students. As the cover story
No. 6 institution in the country, but we notes, this is a collective effort made up of donations
were far and way the No. 1 polytechnic large and small that when tallied together result in life-
university in the nation. changing opportunities for our dedicated students.
In other words, Cal Poly Pomona is More than ever before, the support of our
a launching pad. friends and more than 170,000 living alumni play an
Through our comprehensive essential role in perpetuating the Cal Poly Pomona
commitment to experiential learning legacy. Thank you for your commitment and for being
and seemingly limitless opportunities part of that launching pad for our students.
to learn and grow both inside and
outside of the classroom, Cal Poly Sincerely,
Pomona propels our students into
their careers and into their futures.
Not unlike a rocket launching toward Soraya M. Coley, Ph.D.
space, Cal Poly Pomona provides a President
6 cppMAGAZINE 77
Leveling the In high school, Brianna Argueta joined a campus Many people have grappled with the economic fallout
from COVID-19, including Argueta’s family. “My parents
CAMPAIGN FOR
POLY POST MOBILE
PLAYING FIELD
club with a direct link to Cal Poly Pomona.
That club was The Femineer Program, which the try to help as much as they can, but it is tough,” she adds.
APP RAISES $7,000
university’s College of Engineering created in 2013 with This is the first year that the two annual Beckage
the help of a Kellogg Legacy Grant to encourage young Scholarships have been awarded. Alumnus Michael
women to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, Beckage (’87, engineering technology), one of the
engineering and mathematics). founders of Seal Beach-based Diversified Technical
So, when Argueta was accepted to Cal Poly Pomona, Systems, a manufacturer of data acquisition systems A global pandemic and a successful
she was thrilled and pleasantly surprised that she got and sensors for product and safety testing, and his wife crowdfunding campaign helped the staff
into the school she so fondly remembered visiting during Bridget, a retired teacher, created a $50,000 scholarship of The Poly Post’s dream of a mobile app
a high school trip. endowment in early 2021. come true.
“When I got in, I was kind of in shock because I have “We both believe that education is really the top Even before COVID-19, the staff of the
a little bit of imposter syndrome,” says Argueta, a first- priority in our lives and should be the top priority in
student-run newspaper wanted to launch a
generation college student from Ramona, near San Diego. our culture to give young people an opportunity to just
During the college application process, Argueta came get smarter at whatever field they choose and whatever
mobile app to keep the campus community
across the university’s Scholarship Fest campaign, which excites them,” he says. informed. The transition to remote instruction
encourages students to apply for CPP, CSU and external Beckage recalls struggling financially when he was a accelerated the effort, as the staff began
scholarships. This year, Argueta received The Bridget college student. to rely more heavily on the publication’s
and Michael Beckage Scholarship for Cal Poly Pomona “When I went to Cal Poly Pomona, I didn’t have a lot website rather than its print edition.
Women in Engineering — a $5,000 award. of money and really no support,” he says. “I took out a Students had a plan. They just needed
“This scholarship gives me peace of mind this $2,000 loan at one point. That doesn’t seem like a lot of money to create a mobile app so readers
year,” says Argueta, now a sophomore studying money by today’s standards, but when you can’t come up
could get news at their fingertips — literally.
electromechanical engineering systems technology and with it, you can’t come up with it.”
who hopes to make a positive impact in the world and Beckage says he and his wife designated the
“In light of the pandemic, we saw the
in STEM, particularly for women of color. “It has literally scholarships for women in STEM to encourage diversity urgency to get moving quickly on building a
kept me out of going into student debt. As soon as I got in engineering and to help level the playing field for mobile application for The Poly Post,” says
the scholarship, I told my parents, and I could see them women engineers. Jason Turcotte, associate professor and
letting out a sigh of relief.” The Poly Post advisor. “We thought the
Bronco Launchpad would be a good way to
raise money and start on the project.”
Enter Bronco Launchpad, a two-week
online fundraising campaign where
students, faculty and staff ambassadors can
advocate for campus projects, programs and
resources that are closest to their hearts.
In the 2020 campaign, more than 415
donors contributed a total of $70,000 for
numerous projects and initiatives, including
$7,000 to develop the newspaper’s mobile app.
Donor support is crucial to enhancing the
student experience. Last year’s Launchpad
campaigns also funded e-books at the
library ($5,300), basic needs supplies at
“This scholarship gives me peace of the Poly Pantry ($6,100) and mentoring for
mind this year. It has literally kept women in engineering ($2,600). Overall,
me out of going into student debt. donors committed more than $53 million
in 2020-21 in areas like scholarships and
As soon as I got the scholarship, I curricular support.
told my parents, and I could see The Poly Post launched the app during
them letting out a sigh of relief.” the spring 2021 semester.
“It’s really important for students to learn
multi-media platforms,” Turcotte says. “It helps
them be more competitive in the job market.”
Engineering students on the Steel Bridge team design, build
and construct a steel bridge for a national competition. — Nancy Yeang and Melanie Johnson
8 cppMAGAZINE 9
Helping Students Cultivating a
GET TO THE FINISH LINE Culture OF SUPPORT
The Beckage scholarships are among several granted through In high school, Precious Chibueze applied to Cal Poly Pomona
Cal Poly Pomona’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) and was accepted, but one thing kept her from attending — a lack of
program. Donations come from individual donors, foundations and financial resources.
corporations, with scholarship awards ranging from $500 to $5,000. Instead, Chibueze attended Los Angeles Harbor College for a
“Being that we’re primarily a commuter school and with some of couple of years before transferring to CPP in 2019. After the college
the areas we serve, some students really struggle to stay here,” says application process, the last thing she wanted to do was to write more
Nicole Gutze, outreach liaison and program coordinator for WISE, essays for scholarships, but one of her mentors encouraged her to pen
which supports the colleges of science, engineering and agriculture. one for a Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) scholarship.
“They take multiple jobs. So maybe $500 doesn’t seem like a lot, Chibueze, a visual communication design senior, received $1,500
but if it pays for your books so you can work a little less and spend this year, a gift that was much needed in the wake of COVID-19.
more time on your studies, that is beneficial. That means students The global pandemic put a financial strain on her family, and some
can be more successful at Cal Poly Pomona.” of the money she had set aside for
For Briana Rittel, a computer engineering junior, the $500 “
school went to family bills and other With most of my money going
Lockheed Martin scholarships she received through WISE in 2020 household expenses. to help my family, how would
and 2021 came in handy for books and lab materials and allayed “Regardless of what you’re
many of her fears about covering costs. studying, you will always have I pay for classes? Scholarships
She recalls spending $250 for an extra circuit board she needed needs, especially last year with are a really big help.”
for a lab. Her scholarship helped. COVID,” she says. “With most of
“Scholarships help me not stress so much about tuition and my money going to help my family, how would I pay for classes?
other costs and they help alleviate the pressure, so I can afford Scholarships are a really big help.”
textbooks and lab equipment,” Rittel says. Olukemi Sawyerr, associate vice president for Academic
For as long as she can remember, the Chino Hills native has Innovation, knows the importance of scholarships first-hand. She
had a fascination with computers. In high school, she took an got through undergraduate and graduate school because of the
engineering class and financial support from donors.
“
knew she found a “I got scholarships as a student, and they meant a lot to me,”
Scholarships help me not stress so much way to put her love of Sawyerr says. “They were recognition of my academic performance
about tuition and other costs and they CAD (computer-aided and financial support.”
design) and circuit She recalls how proud her parents were and still has the article
help alleviate the pressure, so I can afford boards to use. announcing one of her scholarships that ran in her hometown
textbooks and lab equipment.” Attending Cal newspaper in Denton, Texas.
Poly Pomona was the Motivated to pay it forward, Sawyerr set up a monthly payroll
natural choice, given the campus’ top rankings in engineering and deduction to support the Black Faculty and Staff Association’s
location close to home. scholarship fund.
“It’s been amazing,” she says. “I absolutely love my department. “African American students on our campus are really a minority,
They have been so responsive, and my professors blow me away so I feel compelled that we provide opportunities for them to come
with their knowledge.” here,” she says. “I appreciate what the BFSA is doing to make our
Over the years, Rittel has received several scholarships, African American students feel welcomed and that they belong.”
enabling her to concentrate on her studies and prepare for her Chibueze, an aspiring web and app developer, says she can feel
future career in the computer technology industry. the support from her professors and mentors at Cal Poly Pomona.
“I don’t have to worry about my financial situation, so I She herself works as a mentor to incoming freshman and transfer
have time to focus on searching for internships,” she says. “I am students for the African American Student Center.
extremely grateful.” “I enjoy being able to work on projects, projects you’re going to
use in the real world, not just something hypothetical,” she says.
“I love learn by doing. My teachers have made sure that they have
embossed that in their curriculum.”
10 cppMAGAZINE 11
GIFTS BY COLLEGE
Fundraising Update Donors provided more than $11 million
for colleges to strengthen their academic
programs and career resources to serve the unique needs and challenges of our
students. Their gifts supported STEM scholarships, workshops and networking
JULY 1, 2020 to JUNE 30, 2021 opportunities, emergency funds for basic needs and well-being, upgraded lab
equipment, and faculty research.
A RECORD YEAR $
2,721,334
$
53 Million
ENGINEERING
AGRICULTURE
$
2,292,300
COLLINS CEIS 1,868,151
$
397,566
$ $
73,927 SCIENCE
$
1,787,792 ENV
BUSINESS
$
507,267
2,063,777
$
CLASS
NEW MAJOR GIFTS
THE GANPAT AND MANJU
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL
GIFTS BY PROGRAM
COLLABORATION AND AHIMSA CENTER
ENGINEERING INNOVATION SHRI SHANTINATH
A $40 million gift from author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and her
husband Dan Jewett topped off a philanthropically successful year. Thanks to
Ganpat Patel and his wife, Manju, gifted ENDOWED CHAIR
a generous community, students received technology devices, Wi-Fi access, and
$1 million to advance the goals of international Established in 2003 by History
collaboration and faculty research; improve Professor Tara Sethia, the Ahimsa emergency grants for housing, food and well-being. Specialized programs and centers
virtual learning; and fund projects in emerging Center’s programs have included an provided tutoring, mentorship, and career readiness workshops for student veterans,
areas like quantum and autonomous systems. interdisciplinary minor in nonviolence former foster youth, first-generation students and many others.
“There is no substitute for education. We must studies, summer fellowship programs
rise to the challenge and find innovative ways for K-12 educators in nonviolence and
to meet this need.” nonviolent social change, and numerous
— Ganpat “Pat” Patel
(’69, electrical engineering and instrumentation)
public programs such as conferences,
workshops and special events. GENERAL STUDENT
$
40,388,282 AFFAIRS
639,471
SEAN YU TRAVEL CYPRESS MOUNTAIN RANCH $
FUND ENDOWMENT ROSE FLOAT LAB KITCHEN
Sean Yu established a $500,000 endowment Before he passed in March, Bill
for political science students to participate Jacobson (’61, animal husbandry) gifted
in travel programs, allowing them to gain $100,000 toward the new Rose Float
OTHER
“...People working to build power
greater cultural awareness and perspective Lab and Design Complex. Jacobson from within communities are
by exploring how different societies function, first got involved in Rose Float in the
194,009
the agents of change. Their $
and to ensure greater tolerance for people of late 1950s when he was a student and service supports and empowers
varying backgrounds. continued to contribute his time and people who go on to support and
“It’s always important to think about your investment throughout his life. The Rose empower others.”
Float Kitchen will be named after his
past and give back to support your past. At
Cal Poly Pomona, I learned how to set a goal Cypress Mountain Ranch in Northern
California, where Rose Float students
— MacKenzie Scott
LIBRARY
and be persistent about it. I want to help Cal
Poly Pomona students and encourage them have gathered for retreats.
$
74,085
to be successful and do the same.”
ATHLETICS
— Sean Yu (’99, political science) $
65,777
12 cppMAGAZINE 13
The following donors have been inducted into the Founders’ Society, a
HIS LEGA
OR C membership society that recognizes Cal Poly Pomona’s pinnacle-level donors
VO
Y
who have contributed lifetime gifts of $250,000 or more.
G
SO
KELLOG
CIETY
W.K. KELLOGG ORDER UNIVERSITY PLATINUM College Futures Foundation
Dr. Sonia Blackman Patricia Janesh Ph.D. Construction Data Control, Inc.
Sidney Blumner Carol Kane
$5,000,000 and more $500,000 to $999,999 Claude Coppel
Barbara Jean Bruin Steven Kikuchi and Jane Kikuchi Carol and James A. Collins Michael S. Agron, M.D. Marjorie Post Dye*
Lance and Elena Calvert Keith Soon and Sung Kim Don B. Huntley The Ahmanson Foundation Estate of Sharon Ziermann
Nadine Carlton and Alexander Carlton John Kin Intergraph Mapping & GIS Solutions The Bernard Osher Foundation Mary Alice and Richard N. Frank*
JoAnn Carter-Wells Reverend Dr. Steven Kin W.B. Butch & Vivien Lindley Alfred and Nora Brehob Trust FTB & Son, Inc.
The Kellogg Voorhis Legacy Society Peter Castro Marjorie Kriege PeopleSoft USA, Inc. Daniel A. Andrews Fujitsu Microelectronics
Annie Chin Siu Jack H. and Suzanne Kulp MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett** ARCO Foundation G.S. Marshall Industries
is a group of supporters named for Channing and Marie Gilson*
Kathleen Clarke Stanley Kyker and Cathy Kyker Charles B. Voorhis* BP p.l.c.
university founders W. K. Kellogg Dr. Timothy Corcoran and Dr. Patricia Esther Leffler W.K. Kellogg Foundation Estate of Martha Brown Ann Gregg**
Corcoran Butch Lindley and Vivien Lindley California Community Foundation Cherie Hill
and Charles B. Voorhis, whose early James Degen & Susan Hoener-Degan Cybel and Gerald Maio Peter Castro HMC Architects
Steven and Marian Dodge Joan Markovits
UNIVERSITY BENEFACTOR Daisy Sales Corporation HRL Laboratories
gifts of property helped establish William Doub and Jane Doub Anthony and Terri Marraccino $1,000,000 to $4,999,999 DIRECTV Raymond Hudson
Larry Emlet Matthew McMaster Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation Koichiro Isshiki
the Cal Poly Pomona we know today. Air Force Research Lab, Edwards AFB Prem and Sandhya Jain**
Martin Evanson and Carol Evanson Thomas Meikle and Susan Meikle John and Rostrina Flaig
Amonix Construction, LLC JBT FoodTech
Membership is extended to those who Brian Ferguson Scott Mercer Frank A. Tennant Estate
AT&T Juniper Networks
John and Rostrina Flaig Mary Mogge and Allen Holliday The Handlery Family
establish planned gifts to Cal Poly Audrey Deardorff Estate Robert L. Hurt
Louis Fossum and Barbara Erickson Gary Montgomery Stephen and Susan Hess
Avanade John L. and Helen Kellogg Foundation
Philip E. Gladis William Muzzy and Liz Moore IBM Corporation
Pomona by including the university BAE Systems, Inc. Carl N. and Margaret M. Karcher*
Ann Gregg Tina Muto-Wong and Dale Wong The Boeing Company Phyllis and David Klock
Ronald Gregoire Shirley B. Newell Estate of Brian Lange Reverend Dr. Steven Kin
in their estate plans through James G. Boswell Foundation Maja Kristin
Kathleen Harcharik and Edward Mary O’Neil Raymond Burr* Esther Leffler**
gifts of cash, securities, trusts, Harcharik Michael R. Oppenheim Grace E. Lull* Magic Software Enterprises
Lance and Elena Calvert Majestic Realty Foundation
Cindy Havenhill Dennis Otsuji and Elaine Otsuji Andrew and Peggy Cherng Tony and Terri Marraccino
insurance or other related planned- Christine Hayes Robert Palmer D. Scott and Kathleen Mercer Arthur* and Joan Markovits
Chevron Corporation Estate of Carol Martin
Robert Heber Ira Pemstein and Maria Pemstein Digital Equipment Corporation Oak Tree Racing Association
giving programs. Cal Poly Pomona Stephen Hess and Susan Hess Donald F. Putnam John O’Neil* and Mary O’Neil Russell G. Mawby*
Steven and Marian Dodge Jasvant Modi and Meera Modi**
recognizes the following members. Cherie Hill Patsy Quatrochi Jim* and Victoria Eggers Michael R. Oppenheim
Raymond Hudson Linda Ramey Dina Axelrad Perry Nestlé USA, Inc.
Ernest Prete Jr. Foundation Dion Neutra
Don B. Huntley J. Douglas Ramsey Fluor Corporation Parker Hannifin Corporation
Ihab Issa and Suzanne Issa Leslie Sperber Reid Raytheon Systems Muriel Faith O’Brien Trust
Larry and Amy Gates Ojai Valley Farms
Dorothy and Kent Roberts Ronald Gregoire Leslie Sperber Reid
Byron Robinette and Marilyn Robinette Carol Nevin Rundback Oracle Corporation
Hewlett-Packard Company Orange County Farm Bureau**
Cheryl Robinson and Barry Robinson Jim and Neta Hicks Alan and Stephanie Tarkington
Carol Nevin Rundback Catherine and Victor Tessier Robert Palmer
Industry Business Council Eunice Park
Arleen Segal and Mickey Segal The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
Kenneth Simmons Michi and Walter Weglyn* Pepsico, Inc.
James T. Goss Prime Electro Products Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center
Mark Skowronski and Linda Skowronski James H. Jones* and Bruce Jewett* Stephen C. Willen
Michael P. Smith William and June Dale Estate Primavera Systems, Inc.
Janet and W. Keith Kellogg II* Dorothy and Kent Roberts
Velma Smith Keith Soon and Sung Kim Estate of Geraldine C. Wolfe
Tina Strand and Peter Strand Rockwell International
Lockheed Martin Corporation Schmitz Family Trust
Kheng See Ang and Lawrence Taff
Alan and Stephanie Tarkington
Sarah and Arthur Ludwick UNIVERSITY GOLD Bipin and Rekha Shah**
Cybel and Gerald Maio
Rene Trevino and Carla Trevino McDonnell Douglas $250,000 to $499,999 Stuart Sperber*
John Vargas Southern California Gas Company
National College Resources Foundation Agilent Technologies, Inc. Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Stephen C. Willen Northrop Grumman Corporation Amgen, Inc.
Wayne S. Wooden Trimble Navigation Limited
Hae and Shina Park Sakaye and George* Aratani Donald G. Tronstein*
Sean Yu and Christine Yu Ganpat and Manju Patel Autodesk Kathy Tully
J. Douglas Ramsey Mr. Gloriano and Dr. Dolores A. Barsellotti The Vinnell Foundation
To find out how you can include Mickey and Lee Segal Beckman Coulter, Inc. Robert L. Wilson*
Cal Poly Pomona in your estate plans, David and Ruth Singelyn Bentley Systems, Inc. World Wide Technology
contact Vincent Fraumeni, director SMD Inc. CAiCE Software Corporation Joe and Grace Yee**
Southern California Edison California Agricultural Leadership Foundation Sean Yu and Christine Yu**
of planned giving, at 909-869-4825 Lawrence Taff and Kheng See Ang Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, Inc.
or vjfraumeni@cpp.edu or visit Juliana Terian Chapman Forestry Foundation * In memoriam
W.M. Keck Foundation Children’s Fund, Inc. **New members
www.cpp.edu/plannedgiving Estate of Christopher Wilborn
15
The following donors are recognized in the President’s Circle, a community of individuals who make an
annual investment in the university of $2,500 or more to help cultivate student success. Donors choose
to support the academic program or scholarship area that they feel is most important to them.
Jean S. Aigner David B. Clayton James Goodin and Carolyn Goodin Mary Louise Labrucherie Mardis M. Newman-Jackson Larry Shupnick
Sultan A. Alfaheem Robert Cohen and Juan Torre Bruce Gorelick Lynne Lachenmyer Terry Noriega Christopher Simms
Ahmed Al-Khatib and Mona Al-Khatib William N. Colaner* Teresa Gorsuch and David Lepe Sally Lane Muriel Faith O’Brien* Thomas Simms and Margaret Simms
Walter Allen Soraya Coley and Ron Coley Ronald Gregoire Eric Lara and Erica Lara Sean O’Donohue and Anita O’Donohue John M. Simon
Maria Alvarez and Alejandro Rangel Carol and James Collins Mark J. Haag Bruce Lawyer and Norma Lawyer Caroline M. Ogata J E. Simpson*
Fereshteh Amin and Hamid Shafipour Martin J. Colombatto Diane M. Hales and R. Stanton Hales Richard Lay and Sarah Lay Geoffrey W. Okamoto Joan Simpson
Marissa Andrada and Michael Devellano Misty Colwell and Alan Scolamieri John Hall and Cathy Hall Paul Lebowitz and Susan Lebowitz Mary O’Neil Mary Anne Smith
Varujan Anooshian Claude Coppel Coralea P. Harbushka Paul Lee Nancy D. O’Reilly Sanford Smith
Anne S. Anthony George Coriarty David J. Harris Peter Lee Gloribelle Ortiz Debbie and Ned Snavely
Kathryn H. Anthony Emma Jane Cotran and Anis Cotran Jeanie Hart Grunau Harvey Leff Mike and Betty Ortiz Adrian F. Solis
Gregory W. Autry Kristin Crellin and Robert Crellin Farrah A. Hassen Rachel Levin Marc Ostroff and Shaina Ostroff Mitchell and Maureen Spann
Timothy Bailey and Naila Bailey Richard Croxall and Nancy Croxall Khaled Al Hassen Randall Lewis and Janell Lewis Dennis Otsuji and Elaine Otsuji Jerry Steenhoven and Judith Steenhoven
Robert Baker and Judith Baker Peter de Best and Jennifer de Best Ronald Hasso and Danielle Hasso Lindy Lindholm Allison Paap and Steve Paap Thomas Stoerck and Ann-Marie Stoerck
Josephine Balajadia James Degen and Susan Hoener-Degen Bill and Tara Hauhe Butch Lindley and Vivien Lindley Violet Palmer and Tanya Palmer Jeffrey Stone and Leslie Stone
Jason Ball Diana A. DeGroot Niedre M. Heckman Paul A. Lord William E. Palmer Tina Strand and Peter Strand
Bruce Baltin Eddie Delgado and Dianne Delgado Gregory Herron and Sally Herron Arthur and Sarah Ludwick Eugene Park Brian and Julie Swanson
Mr. Gloriano and Dr. Dolores A. Barsellotti Melissa Demirci and Okan Demirci Stephen Hess and Susan Hess Derek Lundberg and Debbie Lundberg Jane Y. Park Kheng See Ang and Lawrence Taff
Alison Baski Lang and Christoph Lang Jacqueline Denning and Jeffrey Barney Frank Hewitt Lance Lundberg Ganpat Patel and Manju Patel Ming Tai
Scott C. Beard Vasu Dev Cherie Hill Jennifer Mahlke and Donald Mahlke Elva Pellouchoud John D. Tallichet
Carolyn and William Beaver Vinita Dhingra and Ashok Dhingra Roger G. Hill & Eva N. Wassermann Cybel and Gerald Maio Ira Pemstein and Maria Pemstein John K. Taniguchi
Michael Beckage and Bridget Spanier Diane Divelbess Carol Holder and Albert Mallinckrodt Jawaad Malik Dina Axelrad Perry Alan and Stephanie Tarkington
Russ W. Bendel Steven and Marian Dodge Katherine Holland and Michael Holland John Mallinckrodt Judith R. Perry Robert Pettis and Lynda Taylor
Omar Benitez Lea R. Dopson Jennelle Holliday and Robert Holliday John Malone and Mary Stephens Malone Dr. Peggy Sears Perry Juliana C. Terian
Mary and Joel Benkie Kelly F. Duke Kenton* and Margarita* Horner Dan Marostica and Judy Marostica Mike Peters and Jill Peters Nicholas D. Theiss
Brett Berglund and Meaghan Berglund Alexandra Eastman and Tim Eastman Janice M. Hubbell Anthony and Terri Marraccino Kirby S. Peterson Paul E. Theobald
Ian A. Berkland Elizabeth L. Edmond Lori J. Huff John P. Martin Bob Pettis and Lynda Taylor Brian Thomas
Bernard Bernheim and Margaret Bernheim Rose Epperson and Al Epperson Steven Huff Donna Mast Lyn and John Pohlmann Sharon Tomkins
Douglas R. Beshears Ralph E. Erickson Huff Family Foundation Richard Mayer and Sharon Mayer Paul Pohopien and Laura Pohopien Donald Tompkins and Carole Tompkins
Bridget Bilinski and Kazimir Bilinski Katherine Erlick Don B. Huntley Alfred W. McCoy Aneena Pokkamthanam and Sunil Tellis Frank Torres
Dennis and Lynn Blackburn Martin Evanson and Carol Evanson Dr. Mary Im and Anthony Kim Gary A. McElligatt Stella J. Portillo Jamie T. Tran
Sidney Blumner Erik Eveleigh and Teresa Eveleigh Thomas Ispas Stacy McGoldrick and David Johnson Beatriz Porto Kathy L. Tully
Manuel Bouza and Barbara Bouza O. A. Feliciano-Damiani Ihab Issa and Suzanne Issa Denise Godfrey and William McGregor Raul Porto Justin Valashinas and Heather Valashinas
Jamaar M. Boyd John and Rostrina Flaig Koichiro R. Isshiki Paul McGunnigle and Georga McGunnigle Donald F. Putnam Kent and Ginni Valley
Janette and Stan Braden Beverly J. Fox William Jacobson* John W. McGuthry Kamta Rai Thomas D. Van Dorpe
Frederick Braggs and Sybill Braggs John Fraser Prem Jain and Sandhya Jain Ginny Mendes Linda Ramey Carol Virani and Mohammad Virani
Martin Brickson Chris and Amy Freeland Brian Jaramillo and Vesta Jaramillo Baxter Miller and Debra DeMatteis-Miller Abdul Rashidi and Shafiqa Rashidi Gregory Vrablik and Brenda Vrablik
Gina Brinegar Richard Frencer Bruce M. Jewett* Kent and Diane Miller Leslie Sperber Reid Marcia Wang
Donald Brinkerhoff* Alan Fuerstman John Jewett Christine A. Mitchell Shirley Resich and John Resich Hildegard and Friedrich Weck
Mrs. Cecil Brown* Earl Gales and Starla Gales Keith Johnson and Sue Johnson Jasvant and Meera Modi Charlie Reynoso Robert Weis and Jun Weis
Andre V. Bullock Sally Garrett and Alan Garrett Pamela M. Jones Mary Mogge and Allen Holliday Dorothy and Kent Roberts Cary Wheeland and Debbie Wheeland
Steven J. Burns Larry and Amy Gates Louise Jones and Thomas Jones Janet Molina-Watt and Laurence Watt Cheryl Robinson and Barry Robinson Walter White
Lance and Elena Calvert James Gates and Leann Gates Troy L. Jones Daniel and Kelly Montplaisir Bobbi Roderick James P. Wick
Javier Cano Benjamin C. Gaw John P. Joyce John Moore Scott Rogers and Wendy Rogers Sharif Wiguna and Swanny Wiguna
James D. Caras Michele Gendreau Stephen P. Joyce David C. Mordoch Darrell and Willa Rosin Lance Williams and Sadie Williams
JoAnn Carter-Wells Jody Gerstner P.E. Carol A. Kane Thomas Morone Clark Rucker and Ann Rucker Lion A. Wintemute
Peter Castro Michael Gibbs and Roseanne Wegrich Afshin Kateb John Mortberg* Carol Nevin Rundback David H. Wright
Jared Ceja and Sue Ceja Frank X. Gillespie Alisha R. Kato David Morton and Claudia Sarabia Joseph Salontai and Claudia Salontai Amanda B. Xu
Rajesh Chandnani Jean Gipe Susan K. Kellogg-Bell Scott L. Muller Claudia C. Sarabia Jayson Yardley and Holly Yardley
Wen and Mei Lien Chang Denise Godfrey and William McGregor Arthur Kermode and Ruth Kermode Manuel J. Munoz Sylvia A. Scharf Peter F. Yates
Sanjay J. Chauhan Tony and Sue Godfrey Peter Kilduff and Kam Kilduff William Muzzy and Liz Moore Glenn Schmitt and Kimberly Schmitt Joe and Grace Yee
Alex P. Cheng David M. Godshall Keith Soon and Sung Kim Ken and Kazuko Nakaba Scott R. Schork Sean Yu and Christine Yu
Aubrey Chernick and Joyce Chernick Brigitte H. Goehler* Brian K. Kjos Barbara T. Nakaoka Arleen Segal and Mickey Segal Zelah N. Yung*
Kris Cheung Richard J. Goldhammer Robert and Karen Kobus Cindy A. Nasser Michael and Jakki Sencer
James and Michele Chew Jose Gomez and Catherine Ysrael Gomez Yoshitsugu Komiya Douglas Nelson and Cindy Nelson Bipin and Rekha Shah * In memoriam
Edward V. Clancy Juan C. Gomez Peter Koss and Melissa Koss Ricky Nelson David Sheen and Christina Sheen
16 cppMAGAZINE 17IN MEMORIAM
RON
SIMONS
By Melanie Johnson
They called him “Mr. Cal Poly Pomona,” and for good reason. problems Ron.’ Ron was told there was no Rose Float
Ron Simons’ dedication to the university began as a college committee from the previous year, no budget, no
freshman during the Eisenhower Administration and continued for flowers and no interest on the part of students or the
more than 50 years as he worked for the university for 43 years and administration to do another float. ‘It stops here, or
remained involved in his beloved Rose Float program long after his you can suit up again.’
retirement in 2012. “Ron Simons rose to the challenge, and while
Simons died Aug. 26. He was 79. carrying a normal student load, he restarted the float
His dedication to Rose Float was happenstance for the program and on New Year’s Day, 1968; the Cal Poly
campus icon, also affectionately known as “Mr. Rose Float.” In a float titled ‘The Mouse That Got Away’ rolled down
2012 magazine article, Simons recalled joining as a freshman in the streets of Pasadena.”
the early 1960s when a roommate invited him to tag along to a The float won the Princess Award for excellence in
meeting. Simons said he knew he had to be a part of it. animation, but it wasn’t the only reason for celebration.
“Here we were, building something that was going to be seen He met his wife, Judy, at a post-parade dinner.
by people around the world,” Simons said. “I’ll be honest, I was After graduating the second time around, then
excited. I got hooked, and, as they say, the rest in history.” University President Robert C. Kramer asked Simons
“Ron Simons epitomized Bronco pride,” said President Soraya what he wanted to do next. Simons complained that all
M. Coley. “His tireless dedication to the Rose Float program, the of the Alumni Association work was being done out of
way he never stopped giving back to campus through his various Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Cal Poly Pomona was a part of
philanthropic endeavors and the enduring legacy he left as Cal Poly SLO in its early years, with students attending CPP for
Pomona’s fiercest champion will never be forgotten.” two years and completing their last two years at SLO,
During college, the old Rose Float lab was a second home for before Pomona earned its independence in 1966.
Simons. He celebrated his 18th birthday there. He put his signature So, Kramer gave Simons the green light to start
on several floats over the years, including the starring role in the Cal Poly Pomona’s Alumni Association. Simons was the
1962 entry “Man on the Moon.” A University Archives photo shows campus’ first director of alumni affairs and also served
Simons riding on that float dressed as an astronaut, seven years as assistant to the president. During his tenure at Cal
before Neil Armstrong planted the American flag on the moon. Poly Pomona, Simons was key in creating the Division
He served as co-chair of the Rose Float Club in 1963 and of University Advancement and served as associate
chair in 1964. After graduating — for the first time — with an vice president until his retirement.
agronomy degree in 1964, Simons enlisted in the U.S. Army and “Ron Simons was a natural leader and
entered Officer Candidate School. He returned to Cal Poly Pomona communicator who knew that building relationships
after serving three years and received a second degree in food, with alumni was the best way to strengthen
marketing and agribusiness management in 1969. the university and plan for its future,” said
Bob Pettis (’63, agronomy) recalled how Simons brought the Dan Montplaisir, vice president for university
Rose Float program back to life when he returned in 1968. advancement. “He set the standard for his team and
“When he arrived on campus, Dean of Students Henry House understood that an investment in relationships would
met him at the door,” Pettis said. “Dean House told him, ‘We have pay dividends in contributions, career placement for
18 cppMAGAZINEDr. Ron Simons
in 2012.
IN LOVING
graduates, and lifelong friendships.”
Dale Wong (’77, electronics
engineering technology) was a graduate
student and Rose Float volunteer when
he met Simons in 1978. They grew
MEMORY
Leading a toast for
closer when Wong helped design and “Galactic Expedition”
Simons crowns Sandi
install the lab’s electrical system. in December 2010.
Beletrutti (Davis) the 1970
Simons was always the first on Poly Vue Queen.
the scene if there were any issues with
one of the floats, always showing up
in his coveralls ready to work on the
problems, Wong remembered.
Judy and Ron Simons
“He was always positive. He celebrate at the
never had a negative comment about “From Ron, I learned what it meant to get involved and to be part of Bronco Circle Naming
anyone. His words were always to something that felt bigger than yourself. Ron believed in students unveiling in 2007.
inspire,” he said. and our potential. I remember him asking me, ’Kid, what do you want
In July 2021, the university your legacy to be? When all is said and done, when you are no longer
completed construction on a new Rose on the campus, what is the mark you will leave?’ He wasn’t asking me
Float lab. The structure was named The to do great things, nor to aim for fame or name recognition; he was
asking me to reflect on how I saw my place at CPP. That
Don Miller and Ron Simons Rose Float
snowballed into me thinking about the role I would
Lab, recognizing the contributions
play in my community and how it affects the bigger
of Miller, who started the program
picture. I’ll miss him calling me kid. I’ll miss his stories.
in 1949 and Simons, who built it up I’m heartbroken at the loss of the walking legacy and
from where it began. Simons donated history that he was. I’ll miss Ron. The world, and Cal
generously to both the Don E. Miller Poly Pomona, was a better place because of him.”
Rose Float Endowment and the Rose
— JUSTINE BUDISANTOSO (’15, hospitality management)
Float Building Complex fund.
Simons was a philanthropist. He
“Ron was one of those people who always encouraged you to be 1964 Commencement
led the fundraising efforts for the
the best you could be and to never give up. I considered him to be
Aratani Japanese Garden project, a great mentor, a trusted colleague, and a good friend over the
the Voorhis Alumni Park and the years. He gave so much to Cal Poly Pomona, not only in building “Mr. Cal Poly Pomona”
renovation of Kellogg House Pomona. the university but also in inspiring and helping generations of
He was the first to receive the Cal Poly students. He will be always in the hearts of those
Pomona Distinguished Alumni Lifetime who were fortunate to work with him, whether it
Achievement Award in 1996. He be a student, staff member, administrator, donor or
received an honorary doctorate from community member. He always made me laugh with “Man on the Founders’ Society
the university in 2012. his exaggerated stories and his wit. Ron was truly Mr. Moon” in 1962. Dinner in 2007.
He was very giving to Pace Setters, Cal Poly. He absolutely loved Cal Poly Pomona. Thank
the organization for retired staff and you for all you have given to the university and rest in
faculty, assisting club presidents, peace, my friend.”
providing wine for luncheons and — DOROTHY “DE FORGE” ROBERTS (’68, business administration; ’78, MBA)
speaking at events.
“His unique sense of humor was “I knew Ron Simons. I drove the float that carried Ron Simons, the
his trademark,” said Kathy Harcharik, astronaut, down the Tournament of Roses Parade route in 1962.
professor emerita and Pace Setters When it was necessary for me to take a biological break during a
president. “Ron was the featured delay in the parade, it was Ron leading a cheering mob of Rose Float
speaker at our 35th anniversary spectators with the chant, ’Richard, where are you? Richard, where
luncheon. He went over his allotted are you?’ as the parade started moving again. He had a unique
time, and no one minded. We were way of turning stressful moments into humor! As we grew older,
all being fully entertained. Ron was Ron, Bob Pettis, Bill Jacobson and I would ’celebrate‘ our mutual
dedicated to making each activity a December birthdays together, including others who wanted to join
us in rejoicing in the memories of our years at Cal
success and added a dimension of fun to
Poly Pomona. In the past year as Ron did battle with Paul Anka sings a “My Way” tribute to Simons
everything he did.” during the Founders’ Celebration in 2006.
physical issues, it was Ron calling me to check on my
well-being as I dealt with routine problems of aging.
Alumni, Rose Floaters, faculty
Ron and I shared 60 years of friendship, a bond that
and staff remember Ron’s impact began with building a Cal Poly Rose Float. He was my
on Cal Poly Pomona. View the friend, a friend to all, a mentor, a motivator and a
virtual memorial wall at: https:// true heart-and-soul Cal Poly Pomona Bronco.” Rose Float
bit.ly/RonSimonsMemory — RICHARD EASTMAN (’62, marketing management) friends gather
in 2019.
Simons gives a
20 cppMAGAZINE
tour of the old 27
Voorhis campus.Alumnus Oversees Operations for MWD,
Nation’s Largest Treated Water Provider
By Melanie Johnson
Brent Yamasaki, architect. In 1997, Yamasaki took on a role
That’s what his business card as a construction and startup engineer
might have read had a high school on one of the largest projects in MWD’s
counselor not encouraged him to history — Diamond Valley Lake. The
also sign up for a career day talk on husband and father of three commuted
engineering. daily from his home in Huntington
Decades later, Yamasaki (’89, Beach to Hemet for four years to work
mechanical engineering) serves on the reservoir, which includes three
as the chief of operations for the earth-filled dams made with layers of
Metropolitan Water District (MWD), clay and rock that can hold 810,000
Southern California’s regional water acre-feet of water, which is more water
wholesaler and the largest provider of than Lake Havasu on the Colorado
treated water in the nation. River holds.
“I think the most rewarding aspect The $2 billion project, which is the
of my job is the important role that largest reservoir in Southern California,
we play for Southern California in was completed in 2000 and serves to
bringing reliable, high quality water provide a reserve storage of water for
to the region,” he says. “We operate droughts and other emergencies.
the Colorado River Aqueduct along More than two decades after its
with five regional treatment plants completion, Yamasaki says he still
and a large network of reservoirs and gets excited about the project, often
pipelines. We’ve had record drought taking photos of Diamond Valley Lake
and not enough water, and we have when he visits.
had El Niño and too much water. “It never gets old,” he says. “It is
There’s never a dull moment.” such a career-defining project, not just
MWD serves 26 member agencies for me, but for hundreds of people who
throughout the Southern California worked on it.”
region, collectively serving a Yamasaki credits the education and
customer base of 19 million people hands-on experience he received at Cal
across six counties: Los Angeles, Poly Pomona with helping to develop
Orange, San Diego, Ventura, Riverside his penchant for problem solving.
and San Bernardino. “That’s what I gravitated towards
“Because of drought, people are at MWD,” he says. “That education gave
much more aware of how important me a solid foundation. My team and I
water is today, but before I started at really like to problem solve, and there’s
MWD 30 years ago, I didn’t think of it always a sense of accomplishment when
as being an interesting place to work,” we are able to tackle the wide variety of
he says. “But it turned out to be a challenges we face.”
fascinating place to work.”
“We’ve had record drought and not enough water,
and we have had El Niño and too much water.
There’s never a dull moment.”
22 cppMAGAZINE 23CBA Alumnus Competes in Alumna Produces Nike’s Team
Olympic Badminton USA Uniforms at Tokyo Olympics
By Cynthia Peters By Nancy Yeang
Timothy Lam (’18, accounting) spent the last four years The U.S. Track and Field Olympians poured their sweat onto the
competing in international badminton tournaments in a quest Tokyo Olympic arena and earned 26 total medals, standing proudly
to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. On July 23, he marched into on the podiums and some wearing Nike uniforms that alumna Sarah
Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium as a member of Team USA. Dumlao helped produced.
“Emerging from the tunnel into the stadium, during the Dumlao (’14, apparel merchandising and management) is a
opening ceremonies, seeing the grand spectacle and all of production planner at the Nike Global Headquarters in Beaverton,
the athletes was really a VIP experience,” Lam says. “I won’t Oregon. Her inspiration to enter the apparel and fashion industry was
ever forget that feeling of excitement.” her mom, who sewed clothes and Halloween costumes for her and her
The next day in his first match, Lam faced Japan’s two siblings growing up.
Kento Momota, the world’s No. 1 ranked badminton player. “As the first person in my family to graduate from a four-year
“My mindset going into the match was that I knew he university, I was fully immersed into the world of apparel at Cal Poly
was putting a lot of pressure on himself, considering that Pomona,” Dumlao says. “The apparel merchandising program fully
he was representing Japan and the world No. 1. I tried to prepared me to start my career in the highly competitive apparel industry.”
go into the match 110 percent, doing my best to fight for Before transferring to Cal Poly Pomona in 2011 from Citrus College,
each point.” Dumlao visited the apparel merchandising program and saw how the
Momota won, 21-12 and 12-9, but Lam was proud of sewing lab would give her the hands-on experience from creating the
his effort. clothes to producing the product. She initially wanted to be an apparel
In his second match, Lam lost to South Korea’s Kwanghee buyer, which would allow her to go to fashion shows, pick the fashion
Heo, who went on to beat Momota in straight sets. He ended trends and decide what goes into retail stores, but she realized she
his Olympic run placed 15th in men’s singles badminton. liked working with her hands and seeing a drawn picture turn into a real
Lam’s Olympic highlights included: Stepping onto garment, and she decided to go into product development.
the court emblazoned with the Olympic rings, getting two “Knowing that students were doing the actual work that mirrored
suitcases of Olympic gear, trading country pins with other how the fashion industry works convinced me to be a Bronco,” Dumlao
athletes, and the food. says. “I would not be where I am today without Cal Poly Pomona.”
Lam started playing badminton when he was just 6, In particular, she remembered an apparel production class taught
inspired by watching his older brother and role model, by Professor Muditha Senanayake, interim department chair of the
Zenas Lam (’15, architecture), play and train at their local Department of Apparel Merchandising and Management. Students
badminton club in Mountain View, California. designed, developed and produced baby apparel items to donate to
A pivotal moment came his senior year in high school. newborns and their parents in need at the Pomona Valley Hospital
Competing in the 2014 Pan American (Pan Am) Junior Medical Center. Senanayake wanted students to learn the process of
Championships in Guatemala, Lam won a gold medal in mass production while contributing to the community. Students created
Boy’s Singles, a silver in Boys’ Doubles and a Bronze in different sizes, including sizes for premature babies, and considered
Mixed Doubles. comfortable materials, attractive colors and safety.
“When I won that event in 2014, I knew I wanted to After graduation, Dumlao started working for major companies,
compete at the Olympic level even though there was no such as Disney and Nike, where she applied the concepts and skills
certainty I could do it,” Lam says. “Even if I didn’t make it, I she learned in class but on a larger scale.
knew I would develop abilities I could use for my future.” The Olympic track and field uniforms she helped produce feature
Determined to go to college and advance his training, apparel technology and innovation, including a two-toned fabric that
he connected with Tony Gunawan, a former world looks like two different colors, depending on the angle the jersey is
champion and Olympic gold medalist, who coached viewed. Dumlao was the project manager in the team, after the designers
players at the San Gabriel Valley Badminton Club, which confirmed the look and feel of the jerseys. She ensured the quality, timing
was walking distance from campus. Lam trained with and delivery of the jerseys for the Olympic athletes. Now, she can say
Gunawan and his team while studying accounting at Cal that she lent a hand in creating something that was worn by the world’s
Poly Pomona. top athletes and seen by tens of millions of people around the world.
“Even now it doesn’t feel real that I went to the “It was the biggest challenge thus far and the most rewarding,”
Olympics,” Lam says. “It was exciting but the whole Dumlao says. “The athletes put their blood, sweat and tears into a
experience in Tokyo was super fast, just 11 days.” sport, and I get to have a part in showcasing them to the world.”
24 cppMAGAZINE 25You can also read
