Honored Alumni Awards

For more than 70 years, the Honored Alumni Award has served as the highest honor bestowed upon Cal Poly alumni. Through their contributions to their professions, service to Cal Poly and impact in their communities and beyond, Honored Alumni represent the best of Learn by Doing.

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Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Karen Carey Watts

(Ornamental Horticulture, B.S., 1979)

Watts is the Market Manager at Nutrien Ag Solutions, the retail division of Nutrien Ltd., the world’s largest crop inputs company. Nutrien helps growers achieve the highest yields with the most sustainable solutions possible.

2020 Award Recipient Video

Architecture and Environmental Design

Donna Clandening

(Architectural Engineering, B.S., 1987)

Clandening is the Principal and Chief Strategy Officer at AC Martin Partners, a Los Angeles-based architecture, planning, interior architecture and research firm that use

2020 Award Recipient Video

Engineering

David J. Rosa

(Mechanical Engineering, B.S., 1989)

Rosa is the Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer at Intuitive Surgical, a robotic-assisted surgical company that develops minimally invasive surgical platforms and future diagnostic tools to help solve complex healthcare challenges around the world.

2020 Award Recipient Video

Liberal Arts

Laura Lawton

(Graphic Communication, B.S., 1990)

Laura Lawton is the President at Lawton Printing Services, a fourth-generation family-owned business providing personalized digital printing, offset commercial printing and marketing solutions.

2020 Award Recipient Video

Athletics

Michael A. Costa

(Industrial Technology, B.S., 1979)

Costa is the CEO/President at Highridge Costa, a development company creating viable housing options for the future by building living communities that meet both individual and city growth planning needs.

2020 Award Recipient Video

Orfalea College of Business

Mark Vranesh

(Business Administration, B.S., 1990)

Mark Vranesh is a Tech CFO, investor and advisor with broad financial and board-level experience primarily in media and technology.

2020 Award Recipient Video

CPAA Distinguished Service

Steve McShane

(Soil Science, B.S., 1998)

McShane is the Owner at McShane’s Nursery and Landscape Supply and co-owner at Converted Organics, an ag tech company.

2020 Award Recipient Video

Sandra Gardebring Ogren Leadership Award

Mary Crebassa

(Speech Communications, B.S., 1979)

Crebassa is the Vice President of Major Accounts at LTN Global, a worldwide leader in media technology solutions.

2020 Award Recipient Video