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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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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

Athletics

James Newkirk

(Social Sciences, B.S., 1962)

Newkirk is a self-made man and philanthropist, with interests ranging from art to education and athletics. A baseball player at Cal Poly, Newkirk is a longtime supporter of the team.

2016 Award Recipient Video

Sandra Gardebring Ogren Leadership Award

John A. Ronca Jr.

(Business Administration, B.S., 1975)

Ronca has served as chair of Cal Poly’s Athletic Directors Council since 2007. He is a member and secretary of the Cal Poly Foundation Board, and chair of the Governance Committee.

2016 Award Recipient Video

CPAA Distinguished Service

Tom F. Lebens

(Electronic Engineering ‘89)


2015 Award Recipient Video

Sandra Gardebring Ogren Leadership Award

Gilbert H. Stork, Ph.D.

(Mathematics, B.S., '64 & Mathematics, M.S., '66)

Stork had a long career at Cuesta College, culminating in his appointment as the Superintendent/President in 2011. He was a member of the 1960 Cal Poly football team and was instrumental in the construction of the Mustang Memorial Plaza.

2015 Award Recipient Video

Liberal Arts

David Kerley

(Journalism, B.S., '79)

Kerley has traveled to every continent except Antarctica on behalf of ABC News. He has been honored with National and Regional Emmy Awards, a Peabody, and Edward R. Murrow awards.

2015 Award Recipient Video

Science and Mathematics

Jeffrey R. Jasper

(Chemistry, B.S., '84)

Jasper has more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He is vice president, drug discovery at Rubedo Life Sciences.

2015 Award Recipient Video

Engineering

Kim E. Vorrath

(Computer Science, B.S., '88)

One of Vorrath’s passions is supporting women in technology and at Cal Poly she has championed Women Involved in Software and Hardware (WISH) and student participation in the national Grace Hopper Conference.

2015 Award Recipient Video

Orfalea College of Business

Russell P. Nash

(Business Administration, B.S., '82)

Nash founded Professional Education Services (PES), offering continuing education to CPAs, with his brother Steve Nash (Business Administration, ’85). He is a founding member of the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

2015 Award Recipient Video

Architecture and Environmental Design

Scott F. Gaudineer

(Architecture, B.S., '79)

Gaudineer is an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Trustee Division of the State Architect Advisory Board. He received the Presidential Citation from the AIA California Council in 2013.

2015 Award Recipient Video

Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Charles F. Walton

(Ornamental Horticulture, B.S., '66)

Walton has had a long and accomplished career in the horticulture and floriculture industries. He served 16 years on the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council.

2015 Award Recipient Video

Orfalea College of Business

Michael C. Bickel

(Industrial Technology, B.S., '95 & Industrial & Technical Studies, M.S., '02)

Bickel is the president and owner of RPS Holdings, Inc. after having started his career in 1982 at what is now Rantec Power Systems, Inc.

2014 Award Recipient Video