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Honored Alumni Awards

For 60 years, the Honored Alumni Award has served as the highest honor bestowed upon Cal Poly alumni. The awards recognize alumni from each of the university’s six academic colleges, Cal Poly Athletics and the Cal Poly Alumni Association. Through their contributions to their fields, to Cal Poly, and their impact in their communities and beyond, our Honored Alumni represent the best of Learn by Doing.

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Architecture and Environmental Design

Doug Lowe, FAIA

(Architecture, B.S., 1974)

Lowe’s skills can be seen in a variety of projects, including theme parks and hotels such as Disney’s California Adventure and Universal Studios Hollywood. He has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects for his humanitarian efforts.

2017 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

Engineering

John Nielsen

(Mechanical Engineering, B.S., 1965)

Nielsen is the founding donor of the Mustang ’60 Shop, an on-campus machine shop where students can complete the cycle of design from concept to finished product and gain confidence using manufacturing equipment.

2017 Award Recipient Video

Architecture and Environmental Design

Wendy Ornelas, FAIA

(Architecture, '80)


2016 Award Recipient Video

Liberal Arts

Jim Kouf

(English, B.A., 1974)

Kouf is a screenwriter, director and producer known for his work on films such as “National Treasure” and the television show, “Grimm.” Kouf devotes his time to the Cal Poly English Department’s Career Connections Program.

2016 Award Recipient Video

Orfalea College of Business

Scott Cooper

(Business Administration, B.S., 1991)

Cooper is the CFO of Allegro Ophthalmics, LLC. A former football player, Cooper is a supporter of the Accounting and International Fellowships, Cal Poly Athletics, and Construction Management.

2016 Award Recipient Video

Engineering

Karen Bartleson

(B.S., Engineering Science, 1980)

Bartleson is the past president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). She is the author of numerous articles and is the recipient of the Marie R. Pistilli Women in Electronic Design Automation Achievement Award.

2016 Award Recipient Video

CPAA Distinguished Service

Charles E. Bell Jr.

(Political Science, B.A., 2004)

Bell is the co-founder of the Cal Poly Alumni Association’s Black Alumni Chapter and an avid volunteer coordinator for Cal Poly’s annual Black Legacy Weekend.

2016 Award Recipient Video

Science and Mathematics

Nohemy Ornelas

(Education, M.A., 2007)

Ornelas advanced from student to associate superintendent/vice president of student services at Allan Hancock College in just eight years.

2016 Award Recipient Video