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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Architecture and Environmental Design

Wendy Ornelas, FAIA

(Architecture, '80)

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

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

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

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

Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Cotton Rosser

(Animal Husbandry, H.C. ScD, 1952)

Captain of the Rodeo Team at Cal Poly, Rosser is responsible for establishing the traditional Poly Royal Rodeo event in 1951. In 1956 he purchased the Flying U Rodeo Company and since then his name has become synonymous with rodeo.

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

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