This year, it felt like Cal Poly Pomona soared high enough to reach the moon!
U.S. News recognized Cal Poly Pomona as the number two public school in the West. It's easy to see why: Broncos launched planet-saving satellites into space, won international competitions and garnered yet another Rose Float honor.
Students were finally rewarded with free hot dogs during the return of our iconic Hot Dog Caper, set to the dulcet tunes of "Oops, I Did It Again" by Britney Spears. Of course, the dedicated faculty and staff were there to celebrate, too.
But perhaps the most memorable story of the year isn't about a student, faculty, or staff member- maybe it's about a legendary icon.
Here are the top ten stories of 2022.
- CLA Tower Demolition
With the safety of the campus in mind, the iconic CLA Tower was demolished this year. This historic building was truly a Cal Poly Pomona landmark and will be dearly missed, but it had to be demolished due to its location along an earthquake fault line, construction flaws and its energy as well as economic drain.
Graduating seniors had one last opportunity to take pictures with the CLA tower in the background before construction crews gently dismantled it in pieces as not to disrupt the surrounding area and to protect the Aratani Japanese Garden.
2. No. 2 Top Public School in West
Based on 15 measures of academic quality, U.S. News announced Cal Poly Pomona as the number two "Top Public School in the West". Over the last five years, CPP climbed 14 places in the "Top Regional Universities West" category. Rankings are based on outcomes, faculty and financial resources, student excellence, and more.
3. Professor Winny Dong Receives National Recognition
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring went to Cal Poly Pomona Engineering Professor and Office of Undergraduate Research Faculty Director Winny Dong this year. There are only 12 of these awards given across the country, and President Joe Biden personally recognized the awardees.
4. New Ethnic Studies Office
The Office of Interdisciplinary Ethnic Studies Teaching and Scholarship has taken root on campus. This new office is state-funded, and aims to bolster faculty through workshops, programming and financial support. The office hopes to broaden the sense of belonging across communities at Cal Poly Pomona by introducing more interdisciplinary collaboration.
5. President Coley Named 'Woman of the Year'
As part of Women's History Month, Senator Connie Leyva recognized President Soraya M. Coley with a significant honor as 'Woman of the Year.' Leyva had nothing but praise for President Coley and all the work she does for the student body, faculty, staff and Pomona community at large.
6. Rose Float Lab Celebrated, Float Wins for Animation
The Don Miller and Ron Simons Rose Float Lab got its formal opening ceremony this year, with students and alumni in attendance acknowledged for their efforts in previous Rose Float builds by dignitaries who have been involved in the program. "Stargrazers," Cal Poly Pomona's 2022 float, the only parade entry designed and built by students, won the Animation Award for its playful depiction of three giant cows working on jetpacks to achieve their goal of jumping over the moon.
7. Hot Dog Caper Returns
After two years off, the Hot Dog Caper came back! The 39th annual event had a 90's theme and featured administrators, staff and athletes passing out free hot dogs, chips, drinks and popsicles as BoomBox Heroes performed classic 90's tunes.
8. CBA Graduate School Gifted $12.5 Million
Alumni David and Ruth Singelyn provided a $12.5 million philanthropic investment to expand the College of Business Administration graduate program. The donation represents the largest outright gift commitment from an alumni couple. The funds will be tapped to expand the master's program offerings, establish the first-ever deanships at the university, recognize faculty excellence with endowed professorships and fellowships, and fund scholarships including supporting Ph.D.-track students from underrepresented groups to help further diversity faculty.
9. Veteran's Resource Center Turns 10
Elke Azpeitia, director of the Veteran's Resource Center and a Cal Poly Pomona alumna, opened the doors to the VRC on Oct. 4, 2012. This year, the VRC celebrated 10 years of service with a ceremony with guest speakers and complimentary cake. Among the speakers were President Coley, Congresswoman Norma Torres, Dean of Students Jonathan Grady, CPP President Emeritus Michael Ortiz and his wife Betty Ortiz, former first lady.
10. Liquid Rocket Lab Opens and Bronco Ember Team Wins $500,000
Aerospace engineering reached new heights with the opening of the Liquid Rocket Lab. The College of Engineering hosted a grand opening in April that included a ribbon cutting and a tour the 2,100-squrare-foot-laboratory in Building 13. This lab will offer students more hands-on learning experiences in preparation for a future among the stars.
Bronco Ember, a miniature satellite designed by students to detect wildfires, is part of that dream coming true. A Bronco Space team was chosen to advance in the NASA TechLeap Challenge and scheduled suborbital space flight testing. Going forward, the team hopes to put Broncos on the astral map with more space endeavors to come.
Let's keep reaching for the moon in 2023, Broncos!