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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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Liberal Arts

Tim Humphreys

(Political Science, B.A., 1972)

Humphreys turned a political science degree into a successful career in systems software development. He is an avid supporter of student success in the Political Science Department

2018 Award Recipient Video

CPAA Distinguished Service

Megan H. Lester

(Graphic Communication, B.S., 2000)

An experienced volunteer, Lester led the creation of the Cal Poly Alumni – Orange County Chapter’s largest fundraising event, bringing in $36,000 in scholarships in three years.

2018 Award Recipient Video

Science and Mathematics

Dr. Cheryl Achterberg

(Biological Sciences, B.S., 1975)

Achterberg is a frequently published and highly accomplished scholar recognized for her work in nutrition education and behavior interventions.

2018 Award Recipient Video

Engineering

Tory Bruno

(Mechanical Engineering, B.S., 1985)

Bruno is an expert in the design and analysis of control systems for rockets and hypersonic re-entry vehicles and has contributed to many of the nation’s missile defense systems.

2018 Award Recipient Video

Athletics

Catherine Cardoza Conner

(Agricultural Business, B.A., 1994)

A member of the first intercollegiate women’s soccer team at Cal Poly and a walk-on to the tennis team, Cardoza-Conner is an avid supporter of Cal Poly Athletics and student-athletes.

2018 Award Recipient Video

Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

David Gill

(Crop Science, B.S., 1972)

A fourth-generation farmer, Gill and his brother Steve (also an alumnus) founded Rio Farms and Gill Onions – one of the largest and most innovative fresh-cut onion processing plants in the world.

2018 Award Recipient Video

Orfalea College of Business

Mike Selfridge

(Economics, B.S., 1989)

Selfridge is the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer at First Republic Bank. He is a Founder’s Circle member of the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

2018 Award Recipient Video

Architecture and Environmental Design

Phil Serna

(City and Regional Planning, M.S., 1994)

Serna is currently serving on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, representing one of the region’s most diverse constituencies.

2018 Award Recipient Video

Science and Mathematics

John Waggoner

(Biology, B.S.,1979, & Business Administration, M.B.A., 1989)

Waggoner co-founded HMS Global Maritime, the largest operator of high-speed car and passenger ferries in the nation and the first private high-speed vessel operation chosen to serve the United States military.

2017 Award Recipient Video

Orfalea College of Business

Lisa Hufford

(Business Administration, B.S., 1993)

Hufford founded Simplicity Consulting in 2006, a marketing and communications consultancy. She is a founding member of the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

2017 Award Recipient Video

Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Paul Burkner

(Agricultural Engineering, B.S. 1964)

Burkner is known for his innovations and inventions in the field of custom agricultural machinery. The owner of several patents, Burkner co-founded Ag Industrial Manufacturing Inc. (AIM) in 1979.

2017 Award Recipient Video

Sandra Gardebring Ogren Leadership Award

Randell Iwasaki

(Civil Engineering, B.S., 1982)

Iwasaki was responsible for the launch of the GoMentum station, an autonomous vehicle testing station, and is partnering with tech and automotive companies toward developing the next generation of transportation solutions.

2017 Award Recipient Video