Student Innovation Labs Create Custom Awards for San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership Gala
Cal Poly Pomona’s Student Innovation Idea Labs (SIIL) recently completed a commissioned project to design, render, and fabricate nine custom award trophies for the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership’s (SGVEP) 22nd Annual Gala.
The awards celebrated outstanding partners and organizations for their extraordinary achievements, including a Legacy Leadership Award presented to Cal Poly Pomona President Emerita Soraya M. Coley, and a Heritage Award recognizing the 100th anniversary of the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center. The event, themed “The Emerald Valley,” took place on Oct. 25.
The design project was led by architecture student Quinlan Tobin, who developed design mockups, prototypes, and assisted with the final fabrication of the awards. Tobin collaborated with the SIIL team, guided by Faculty Director Olive Li, to ensure each award reflected both craftmanship and innovation emblematic of Cal Poly Pomona’s “Become by Doing” philosophy.
“Our design for the SGVEP Award Gala trophy was inspired by The Emerald Valley, a balance of strength and elegance. The concrete base represents the San Gabriel Valley’s rugged mountains, while the emerald and gold mirrored elements capture a sense of aspiration and achievement,” said Tobin. “What I am most proud of is the sense of community this project created, with more than twenty students coming together, each contributing their skills to bring this vision to life and showcase the collaborative spirit of the Maker Studio.”
Li echoed this sentiment emphasizing how the project embodies the hands-on, become by doing philosophy that defines Cal Poly Pomona.
“Our partnership with the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership (SGVEP) began through a shared commitment to advancing innovation and hands-on learning in our region,” said Li. “From authentic design work aligned with the SGVEP Awards Gala theme to craftsmanship involving multiple technologies and a large, collaborative team, this project allowed our students to showcase their design, technical, and artistic talents while addressing real-world challenges, and truly reflects SIIL’s mission to empower students to transform ideas into impactful, tangible outcomes.”
The collaboration underscores SIIL’s role in connecting Cal Poly Pomona students with industry and community partners, providing them with opportunities to apply technical skills to professional projects that make a visible impact in the region.
“The SGV Economic Partnership has long had a keen interest in workforce development, and we are always proud to partner with Cal Poly Pomona and our other educational partners, especially when it means hands-on training for students and publicizing the excellent skills that they have developed,” said Paul Thomas, Deputy President and CEO of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership.
Through this project, the Student Innovation Idea Labs continues to embody Cal Poly Pomona’s mission to merge creativity with impact, transforming student talent into meaningful contributions that celebrate innovation and excellence.
To learn more about Student Innovation Idea Labs, visit their website or contact them at siil@cpp.edu.