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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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CPAA Distinguished Service

Kraig Scheyer

(Environmental Engineering, '79)

Scheyer is a strong advocate and supporter for Cal Poly Career Connections, a student-alumni mentoring and networking platform. He has served on the Cal Poly Alumni Association (CPAA) Executive Board and led the development of the board's master plan.

2021 Award Recipient Video

Engineering

Edward L. Burnett

(Aerospace Engineering, '83; MEN, Engineering, '85)

Burnett began his career with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. as a student at Cal Poly. His dedication to the company is matched only by his support for the Cal Poly College of Engineering. He serves as Lockheed Martin Senior Fellow, Emeritus, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.

2021 Award Recipient Video

Architecture and Environmental Design

John R. Pangrazio

(Architecture, '67)

Regarded as one of the country's leaders in healthcare architecture, Pangrazio devoted his 40-year career to the relationship between the physical environment and healing. Pangrazio retired as partner, NBBJ Seattle. Body

2021 Award Recipient Video

Sandra Gardebring Ogren Leadership Award

Kenric B. Stone

(Architecture, '80)

Stone is a committed supporter of Cal Poly, the Cal Poly Alumni Association and the California State University system. He represents and advocates for the university as a CSU Alumni Council member and past president and is a member of the Cal Poly Foundation Board of Directors.

2021 Award Recipient Video

Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Walter J. Ruzzo

(Natural Resources Management, '78)

During Ruzzo's long and successful career, he was a leader in environmental health and safety in the mining and biopharmaceutical industries. He retired as Director of Security, Gilead Sciences.

2021 Award Recipient Video

Orfalea College of Business

Ryan A. Martinez

(Business Administration, '97)

A trusted resource in the wealth management industry, Martinez has had a substantial impact on helping Cal Poly students move into the field of wealth management.

2021 Award Recipient Video

Athletics

Kelly McInerney

(Aerospace Engineering, '91)

A former softball player at Cal Poly, McInerney is an advocate for women in STEM and supports the softball team and student athletes through mentoring and leading by example.

2021 Award Recipient Video

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

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

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

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