Journalism Department Receives Full Accreditation
The Journalism Department has received full accreditation, joining 117 other programs around the world to receive such validation. The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), the agency responsible for the evaluation of professional journalism and mass communications programs in colleges and universities, voted 18-0 at its April 29 meeting in Chicago in favor of the Journalism Department receiving full accreditation. Cal Poly is now one of eight journalism programs in the CSU system to be fully accredited by ACEJMC. Accredited programs, which are reviewed on a six-year cycle, are eligible for external funding and are more attractive to both students and industry partners. Of the roughly 500 journalism and mass communications programs in the U.S., less than one-fourth are fully accredited.
Horticultural and Crop Science Department Changes Name to Plant Sciences
The Horticulture and Crop Science Department, within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, has changed its name to the Plant Sciences Department. The agricultural and environmental plant sciences major will also be renamed to reflect predominant employment opportunities more accurately for graduates and prospective students. The department, which was formed in 2002, offers curriculum that is designed to train plant scientists who are ready upon graduation to make informed decisions and recommendations regarding sustainable farming and horticultural practices that maximize plant production and protection while minimizing economic, environmental and social impacts. The name change enables the program to clearly convey its academic mission and broaden recruitment of applicants who may or may not have a background in agriculture and allow them to be successful in robust careers throughout California and beyond. The plant sciences major allows students to focus on one of three concentrations: environmental horticultural sciences, fruit and crop science, and plant protection science. Cal Poly plant sciences alumni are accepting jobs as production managers, agronomists, horticulturalists, food safety technicians, pest control advisors, certified crop advisors, government positions and sales representatives throughout the country.
Campus Community Invited to Update on Semester Conversion
Philosophy Professor Rachel Fernflores, director of the Semester Conversion, will provide an update on the conversion in two webinars scheduled for faculty, staff and students.
Zoom links
Contact Professor Fernflores at rfernflo@calpoly.edu with any questions.
Get an Overview of Cal Poly Public Safety
Over the past two years, Cal Poly Public Safety has collaborated to guide the university through the COVID-19 pandemic, decreased university-related greenhouse gas emissions, ensured free public transportation to campus from throughout the county, created a best workplace for commuters, increased electric vehicle charging opportunities, introduced an on-campus evening shuttle and so much more in their commitment to Cal Poly. Together, and through critical campus collaboration, Transportation and Parking Services, Cal Poly Police Department, Department of Emergency Management and Public Safety Business Services have helped to create a campus that is safer, more sustainable and easier to get around. Read more about what Cal Poly Public Safety has done over the past year to enhance the campus experience in the latest Inside Cal Poly blog post.
Join Bike to Work Day on May 20
Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) will host a Bike to Work Day event from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Friday, May 20, on the patio area of the Baker Center for Science and Mathematics (No. 180), close to the Via Carta bike path. Stop by for grab-n-go snacks, giveaways and prizes, and put your name in for a chance to win a campus bike locker rental for 2022-23 academic year. Bikes are one of the easiest, fastest and most environmentally friendly ways to get around campus. Started in 1956 and celebrated every year on the third Friday of May, Bike to Work Day is intended to create awareness of bike riding for health as well as for a pollution-free atmosphere.
Fifth Annual Central Coast Social Justice Education Conference to Take Place May 21
The fifth annual Central Coast Social Justice Education Conference will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21. The hybrid conference will focus on naming and challenging forms of oppression by bringing together local educators and activists committed to racial justice. The conference will include a virtual keynote presentation by Noreen Naseem Rodríguez, assistant professor of teacher learning, research and practice in the School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder and author of “Social Studies for a Better World: An Anti-Oppressive Approach for Elementary Educators.” The conference will also include a conversation with a panel of K-12 educators and Central Coast activists. In addition, an in-person curriculum fair will be held from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in Cal Poly's School of Education (No. 2) featuring social justice lessons created by current and future K-12 educators. The conference is free and open to the public.
Campus Transportation Survey Open Through May 18
Faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in the Cal Poly Campus Transportation Survey 2022. A team of Administration and Finance staff and Civil and Environmental Engineering Department faculty is conducting a comprehensive transportation survey to help develop the Cal Poly Transportation Demand Management Plan in support of the Campus Master Plan and the CSU Climate Action Plan. Information gathered through the survey will help the team understand how campus community members get to and from campus and whether they travel to the university every day or once a month. This will help the team better understand transportation needs and the resulting emissions and will inform mitigation efforts to minimize environmental impacts. The survey will be open until midnight Wednesday, May 18. It should take roughly 10 minutes to complete and is anonymous. Once submitted, participants will be entered into a raffle for prizes including an e-bike, an iPad and gift vouchers. Questions? Email sustainability@calpoly.edu.
Change the World Challenge Winners Announced
Three student teams were awarded a total of $35,000 in prizes on May 7 in the Change the World Challenge, a universitywide initiative in which students develop solutions using a systems approach. This year’s theme was “Solutions for Living in a Post-COVID World.” Student teams spent three quarters balancing technical concerns with social, cultural, economic, historical, political and environmental implications. Awardees are:
- First place, $20,000: mechanical engineering students Brandon Janney and Ahkar Kyaw and political science major Annie Kettmann for their design of a modular hydroponic approach to growing strawberries and other produce locally, cutting down on shipping costs and combating climate change.
- Second place, $10,000: communications studies major Aidan Ashworth, nutrition major Shannon Bailey and civil engineering major Vy Vu for their concept of connecting, educating and enabling an online and local community about the role of vermiculture in reducing the greenhouse gases that result from landfilling food waste.
- Third place, $5,000: psychology major Ashleigh Austin for her online community vision “Maternal Voices of Color,” which aims to increase access to prenatal health care in underserved communities.
Learn more about the challenge
Jacob Campbell Wins Second Place at CSU Thesis Competition
Jacob Campbell, a graduate student in the higher education counseling/student affairs (HECSA) program and retention specialist in University Advising, won second place in the on May 6. Campbell presented on his thesis, which examines how federal race/ethnicity reporting standards recategorize some self-reported multiracial students and how this translation impacts the visibility of graduation equity gaps. “It was an honor to represent Cal Poly in the Grad Slam competition, and this award reflects the community of faculty members and colleagues in the HECSA program who have supported me in leveraging research as a tool to increase equity. I’m eager to turn this research into action — building more inclusive, data-driven practices to amplify the needs of multiracial students,” Campbell said. Campbell and Savannah Weaver, a biological sciences graduate student, competed in the second annual competition in which they presented their thesis research in three minutes or less while only using one static PowerPoint slide. Campbell and Weaver competed with 35 master’s and doctoral students from 20 other CSU campuses. This was the first year Cal Poly students have participated in the competition.
Architecture Student Exhibit on Salinas Dam Open Through June 10
Student photos, original construction drawings and student design proposals will be displayed at an exhibit of the Salinas Dam through June 10 in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design Lobby (No. 5, Room 212), from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. An opening reception will be held from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 18. Students in faculty members Kelle Brooks’ and Ana Ozaki’s second-year Architectural Studios course toured the Salinas Reservoir (Santa Margarita Lake) and dam in January, and were challenged in winter quarter to think of the benefits and drawbacks of dams. The exhibition is a final culmination of their work, showcasing the site as a central asset to Cal Poly’s and San Luis Obispo’s communities through the unique eyes of second-year architecture students, while educating the campus community on the history of water systems that supply our campus and city.
Grant Available for Student in Recovery from Substance Use
Applications are now open for the Davis Henegar Memorial Grant, named in honor of Davis Henegar, a Cal Poly student who fought tirelessly to reduce the stigma associated with substance misuse and offer a space for all students to seek and find recovery support. The $2,500 grant is distributed quarterly to students with a minimum of three months of continued recovery. There are no income or residency requirements. The application is a short essay detailing how the funds will help support students' continued recovery. To submit an application by the May 22 deadline or to ask questions, contact kmansage@calpoly.edu.
Events Planned to Recognize Global Accessibility Awareness Day
A week of events, titled the “Disability Awareness and Allyship Series,” will be held through Thursday, May 19, in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on May 19. All are welcome to attend and learn how to make the campus a more accessible and inclusive community. Find event information and Zoom registration links for the virtual events on the Accessibilty site. Event sponsors include the Disability Faculty Staff Association, Access for All, School of Education Equity and Inclusion Committee, Disability Ally Workgroup, and the College of Science and Mathematics.
Safer to Host Faculty and Staff Workshops on Trigger/Content Warnings
Have you ever wondered whether you should be using trigger or content warnings in your class or programming? Safer will host two opportunities in May and June to discuss trigger warnings and their effectiveness versus their potential to cause harm. Participants will have the chance to examine the impact of putting these warnings on their materials and consider multiple perspectives. The workshops will examine recent research as well as feedback from students involved with the Safer program. Workshops will be held on the following dates.
Registration Links
Grant Opportunity: Up to $180,000 Available to Support Technology for Public Benefits
Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) is accepting proposals of up to $180,000 for projects that apply technology expertise to advance the public interest. Cal Poly can submit up to three proposals. Initial two-page proposals are due by 9 a.m. Friday, May 20. PIT refers to the study and application of technology expertise to advance the public interest in a way that generates public benefits and promotes the public good, particularly for those members of society least well served historically and today by existing systems and policies. If needed, there will be an internal competition to determine which submissions will be made on behalf of Cal Poly. The review by a panel of associate deans will take place the week of May 30. Full proposals are due Friday, June 17. Questions? Download a copy of the request for proposals. Email cei@calpoly.edu or Matthew Harsh, PIT designee for Cal Poly, at mharsh@calpoly.edu.
Learn more about the challenge
Take Advantage of Professional Development Courses in June
Employee and Organization Development announces the release of the June professional development offerings as part of the Cross Campus Collaboration, a series of online workshops offered by Cal Poly and other CSU campuses. These unique opportunities extend learning beyond campus borders and offer a new way to share professional development. Employee and Organization Development has recently added new courses and dates for June. View and register using the links below. Registration opens May 23 on a first-come basis. Upcoming workshops are:
- Personal Branding – Building your Professional Presence, June 7, 2-3 p.m.
- People-Centered Change, June 8, 1-2 p.m.
- SMART Goals, June 8, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Positive Psychology – The Happiness Advantage, June 9, 1-3 p.m.
- Decisions, Decisions! Creative Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Techniques, June 16, 2-4 p.m.
- Snapping the Perfect Image, June 23, 10-11:30 a.m.
Check Upcoming Opportunities for updates.
CSU’s Got Talent May Webcast to Focus on Eliminating Microaggressions
All employees are invited to participate in another edition of the CSU’s Got Talent series from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 24. Attorney, community organizer and speaker Tiffany Alvoid will present a webcast, “Eliminating Microaggressions: The Next Level of Inclusion.” Take the next step toward a fully inclusive work environment by eliminating microaggressions. Register through the Learning Hub at Eliminating Microaggressions: The Next Level of Inclusion.
Emeritus Staff Response Needed for Parking Permits Renewal
Current emeritus parking permits will expire June 30. All emeritus staff are asked to respond to the email sent to their Cal Poly account regarding extension of their parking privileges. A response is required to activate an updated virtual emeritus permit that will be valid starting July 1, 2022. Employee and emeritus parking account should reflect accurate information at all times to stay compliant. Emeritus employees should log into their parking account and ensure that their license plate number is correct and linked to an active parking permit. For more information about the License Plate Recognition software, visit Transportation and Parking Services.
University Personnel Offers Well-Being Workshops in May and June
University Personnel has worked with employee assistance program LifeMatters to offer synchronous well-being workshops in May and June. The workshops include:
- Expanding Your Sphere of Influence: The ability to influence others is central to effective leadership. Learn to cultivate influence regardless of your title. Understand the qualities of effective leaders, learn key traits for expanding influence and strategies for building leadership skills. May 24 at 10 a.m.
- Respect in a Diverse Workplace: Learn about the benefits of a diverse, inclusive workplace and how to remove barriers through constructive, assertive confrontation. This session will review definitions of diversity and respect, examples of respectful and disrespectful behaviors, and assertive confrontation. June 16 at 10 a.m.
Contact Lisa Gray at lcgray@calpoly.edu for more information on well-being workshops.
Sue Tonik, grants analyst in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences dean’s office and Agricultural Research Institute campus co-coordinator, has retired after 23 years with Cal Poly. In that time, her consistent record of commitment and excellence in her contributions to the college, campus and CSU, including her strong work ethic, her detailed knowledge of the research process, and empathy with faculty, staff and students made her a treasured resource. She was a founding member of the CSU Agricultural Research Institute Logistics Group, which has been responsible for implementing and frequently creating, policy and procedures across the diverse environments of CSU campuses. Her efforts assisted in the acquisition of over $40 million in funding to support a broad range of applied research projects at Cal Poly in agriculture and natural resources. She spearheaded the change to having grants provide tuition assistance to graduate students working on thesis projects. She also taught a grants class for campus personnel and was generous with her time for anyone in need of assistance. She won the Talley Farms Agriculture Staff award in 2011 and the CAFES Outstanding Staff award in 2016. An avid quilter, she is currently busy making quilts for Ukrainian refugees.
India D’Avignon will retire at the end of August. She is simultaneously a proud Mustang and Buckeye since she came to campus in 2008 from Columbus, Ohio, where she taught and chaired the piano and organ department at the Capital University Conservatory of Music; and earned her graduate degree from The Ohio State University. She began serving a three-year term as chair at Cal Poly in fall 2019, then when faced with COVID-19 just months later began working tirelessly to find ways for students from all over campus who participate in the department’s performing ensembles to safely meet in person. She developed several new initiatives to foster student success including a Curriculum Innovation Committee, Mentor/Mentee program, Student Ambassador Outreach Program, Music Major Workshops and Chat with the Chair group meetings. She was instrumental in getting the renovation and expansion of the Davidson Music Center back on the CSU’s schedule. A highlight was when she traveled to Kenya with several choir members to participate in a choral exchange. She has served on the Academic Senate, has been involved with two national accreditation reviews of the department and is a member of the Cal Poly Arts board of directors. She was a member of the San Luis Obispo Symphony board of directors and also served as its president. She currently serves on the board for the Paderewski Festival and is a judge for several local piano competitions. She will be joining in retirement her husband Ignati Vakalis, who chaired the Computer Science and Software Engineering Department for 11 years.
Craig H. Russell started teaching at Cal Poly in 1982 after earning his doctorate from the University of North Carolina. He has received numerous awards while at Cal Poly, including the 2007 Wang Family Excellence Award; the 2007 Cal Poly Distinguished Research Award; the 1996 President’s Arts Award; the 1994-95 CSU Trustee’s Outstanding Professor Award, CSU’s highest honor; and the 1994-95 Cal Poly Outstanding Faculty Award. In 2013 he was inducted into the prestigious Reial Acadèmie Catalana de Belles Arts de Sant Jordi (one of a few North American scholars to be inducted into the Spanish Royal Academy). He is steeped in the music of Spain and the Hispano-American world, having published more than 100 juried articles on 18th-century Hispanic studies, Mexican cathedral music, the California missions, and American popular culture. He authored 26 articles for “The New Grove Dictionary” and collaborated with Chanticleer on a DVD film and four CDs, two of which received Gramophone award nominations. His scholarship — including four major books — has been published by Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Macmillan, Prentice Hall, the University of Illinois Press, and several universities and publishing houses in Spain and Mexico. Russell’s compositions are released on Naxos as part of the American Classics series and have been widely performed in Europe, Australia, and the U.S., including concerts of his orchestral compositions in Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Sydney Opera House, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
There will be a reception for Music Department retirees India D'Avignon and Craig H. Russell on June 5 in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center immediately following the Cal Poly Symphony and Choirs’ 3 p.m. concert in the PAC's Miossi Hall. Sign their virtual cards: D’Avignon’s card and Russell’s card.
APIDA FSA Presents Second Annual Lunch and Learn Series
The Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Faculty Staff Association (APIDA FSA) invites the campus community to join upcoming Lunch and Learn events for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. The events include:
- Thursday, May 19, 11:10 a.m. to noon: Family Matters: Representations of Asian American Families in Film (Zoom: 831 8873 5309).
- Friday, May 20, noon to 1 p.m.: APIDA Students on TV (Register at bit.ly/APIDAonTV).
- Friday, May 27, 12:10 to 1 p.m.: An Analysis of Cal Poly First Time Freshmen Profile Data (Zoom: 249 663 6667).
International Center Offers A Taste of the World 2022 on May 20
The International Center will host A Taste of the World 2022 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, May 20, in the Agricultural Sciences Building (No. 11) courtyard (near Campus Market). This free event will feature international cuisine from all over the world and is open to all. The food will be prepared by students taking FSN 344: Institutional Foodservice II from lecturer Julie Chessen in the Food Science and Nutrition Department, with support provided by Erin Foote, instructional support technician for the department. Watch the video of the last A Taste of the World; email international@calpoly.edu for more information.
Cal Poly to Host Job Fair May 21 to Fill Over 65 Positions
More than 65 full- and part-time positions are available in communications, administrative support, custodial, facilities/trades, dining and other areas across campus. Job seekers are invited to come to a Cal Poly Job Fair and Hiring event on Saturday, May 21, in the Advanced Technology Laboratories (ATL), No. 7, prepared to interview on site. Select roles will receive same-day offers and sign-on bonuses.
Free Upcoming Music Department Events
The Music Department has numerous free student presentations through the rest of the academic year. In addition to the following, there will be several senior recitals. For a complete list with times and locations, visit the department’s calendar website or call ext. 6-2406. Events include:
- May 19: Polyrhythmics Percussion Recital
- May 21: Jazz Combos Spring Hang
- May 24: Piano Student Recital
- May 26: Vocal Student Recital
- June 3: Clarinet Festival
Mountaineer Hilaree Nelson to Recount ‘Point of No Return’ on May 18
National Geographic’s 2018 Adventurer of the Year, Hilaree Nelson, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, in Miossi Hall, presented by Cal Poly Arts. A National Geographic climbing team knew it had a difficult task in 2014 when it set out for Burma’s Hkakabo Razi to determine if it is Southeast Asia’s highest point. But their greatest challenge wasn’t dwindling rations or hypothermia — it was conflicting personalities threatening to unravel the entire endeavor. Expedition leader Hilaree Nelson recounts the tough decisions she had to make to keep the team together — and alive. Tickets can be purchased at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, by calling ext. 6-4849 or online. Students can get $10 rush tickets by showing their student ID at the Cal Poly Ticket Office (in-person only) now though the show.
‘Menopause The Musical’ Comes to the PAC on May 19
“Menopause The Musical” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19, in Miossi Hall, presented by GFour Productions. Four women at a lingerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra and memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more! This hilarious musical parody set to classic tunes from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s will prompt attendees to cheer and dance in the aisles. See what millions of women worldwide have been laughing about for over 18 years. Tickets can be purchased at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849 or online.
Forbes Pipe Organ Series Features Ken Cowan and Naho Parrini on May 26
Musicians Ken Cowan and Naho Parrini will perform their Pipe Organ Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 26, in Miossi Hall. Regarded as one of North America’s finest concert organists and praised for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique and imaginative programming, Cowan’s recordings and live performances have been featured on nationally distributed radio programming from American Public Media. Violinist Parrini, a native of Japan, has given numerous solo and chamber music recitals in the U.S., Japan, Germany, France and Bulgaria. She performs regularly with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, South Country Concert Series, Mirror Visions Ensemble and Performance Santa Fe. She also serves as co-director of the Adult Chamber Music Workshop and violin faculty of Junior Session at Kinhaven Music School in Vermont. Tickets can be purchased at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, at ext. 6-4849 or online.
Cal Poly Wind Bands’ Season Finale Concert ‘Sounds of Color’ Set for May 27
The Cal Poly Wind Bands’ Spring Concert, “Sounds of Color,” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 27, in Miossi Hall. It is the season finale of the Wind Ensemble and Wind Orchestra. The title “Sounds of Color” is inspired by composer Robert Russell Bennett’s “Suite of Old American Dances,” which will be performed by the Wind Orchestra. The group will also perform William Grant Still’s “Fanfare for American Heroes,” Katahj Copley’s “Wildheart” and Nicole Piunno’s “Image of Truth.” The Wind Ensemble will perform Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Festive Overture” and a suite of five selections from John Williams’ film scores from the original “Star Wars” trilogy. Director of Bands Christopher J. Woodruff and Associate Director of Bands Nicholas P. Waldron will conduct the concert. Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
University Art Gallery to Exhibit the 2022 BFA Senior Showcase Starting May 27
Cal Poly’s graduating Bachelor of Fine Arts seniors present the 2022 BFA exhibition, titled “Dearest,” from May 27 to June 12, with an opening reception and awards ceremony from 5-7 p.m. May 27 at the University Art Gallery. The exhibition showcases work from studio art and photo and video concentration students. These promising emerging artists use a wide variety of mediums, concepts and technical skills to engage in the thought and conversation of contemporary art. In addition to the gallery show, each artist will also be featured at www.calpolybfa.com.
Learn more about the exhibition
Cal Poly Spring Jazz Concert on May 28 to Celebrate New Single
Cal Poly’s Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz Ensemble will present the Spring Jazz Concert at 7:30 Saturday, May 28, in Spanos Theatre. The concert will celebrate the digital release of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble’s new single, “Sunlight,” which is an arrangement by Director of Jazz Studies Arthur White of a tune by Esperanza Spalding. New, original music by Jazz Ensemble members Bryce Yuen and Wyatt Willard will be premiered. Yuen, a first-year materials engineering major, composed “Stay at Home,” and Willard, a second-year music major, composed “Big Fish.” The big band will also feature fourth-year music major and vocalist Mady Frei. The groups will also perform music by Bob Mintzer, Stephen Sondheim, John Clayton, Charles Mingus and others. Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
Cal Poly’s ‘RSVP XXVII: Multimedia Showcase’ Set for May 31 and June 2
The Cal Poly Music Department’s student production ensemble RSVP will present “RSVP XXVII: Multimedia Showcase” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, May 31 and June 2, in the Pavilion of the Performing Arts Center. Students from the Music Department’s Sound Design classes have been collaborating with Composition Forum Club members, dancers from the Theatre and Dance Department and guest visual artists to premiere original interdisciplinary works for fixed and live interactive media. This year’s production will deliver a multistylistic experience with the theme of “The Myriad.” “The students have been exploring a myriad of soundscapes and visuals,” said Sound Design instructor and RSVP director Laura M. Kramer. “The sounds will range from ambient soundscapes to lo-fi beats, cinematic melodies, pop, and rock, which will be paired with choreography by Evan Ricaurté, a 2020 architecture graduate, as well as with film and interactive visual media.” Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble and Zaryab Ensemble to Perform Concert on June 4
The Arab Music Ensemble will be joined by the Zaryab Ensemble for its spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 4, in Spanos Theatre. The Zaryab Ensemble will begin the program with Iranian and Tajik music under the artistic direction of Neema Hekmat. The group includes internationally acclaimed Nasser Sabouri on vocals, Nariman Assadi on tombak and daff, Azadeh Nemat-Gorgani on piano, Maruf Noyoft on robab and vocals, and Hekmat on santur. The combined groups will perform selections that have gained widespread popularity across Southwest Asia and North Africa. Acclaimed guest percussionist Faisal Zedan will return to lead the Arab Music Ensemble’s percussion section on riqq, darabukka and daff. An Arab Music Ensemble chamber ensemble will begin the second half with a performance of two popular Sephardic songs which will flow into a musical suite by the orchestra and choir. The concert will conclude with both ensembles performing classic selections of Iranian and Arab music together. Music Professor Ken Habib will direct the event, and Jenna Mitchell directs the Arab Music Ensemble dance troupe. Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
Donizetti’s ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ to Screen June 4 at the PAC
Met Opera’s performance of “Lucia di Lammermoor” will screen at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 4, in Miossi Hall. The screening is presented by Cal Poly Arts and OperaSLO. In recent seasons, soprano Nadine Sierra has brought down the house at the Met with virtuosic vocalism and captivating stage presence as Gilda in “Rigoletto,” Susanna in “Le Nozze di Figaro,” and Ilia in “Idomeneo.” Now, she takes on one of the repertory’s most formidable and storied roles, the haunted heroine of “Lucia di Lammermoor,” in an electrifying new staging by in-demand Australian theater and film director Simon Stone, conducted by Riccardo Frizza. Show-stopping tenor Javier Camarena adds to the bel canto fireworks as Lucia’s beloved, Edgardo, with baritone Artur Ruciński as her overbearing brother, Enrico, and bass Matthew Rose as her tutor, Raimondo. Tickets can be purchased at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, by calling ext. 6-4849 or online.
Cal Poly Symphony and Choirs to Perform Groundbreaking Works from Early 20th Century on June 5
Cal Poly’s Symphony and Choirs will perform Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Dona Nobis Pacem” and William Grant Still’s “Afro-American Symphony” at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 5, in the Performing Arts Center. Both momentous works were composed in the 1930s and addressed issues of that time that are equally relevant today. The groups will be joined by guest soloists Amy Goymerac, soprano; and John Buffett, baritone. A choir will open the concert with Paul Hindemith’s celebrated “Six Chansons.” The symphony will then perform Grant Still's “Afro-American Symphony,” a celebration of Black culture and the blues that rose from the Harlem Renaissance. After intermission, the symphony will perform Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk’s “Melody,” and the combined choirs and symphony will perform Williams’ “Dona Nobis Pacem” (“Give Us Peace”). Written at the dawn of World War II, the text of the work is primarily derived from Walt Whitman’s poetry. There will be a post-concert reception in the lobby for Music Department retirees India D'Avignon and Craig H. Russell. Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
Event Postings
Events.calpoly.edu is a new platform that shines a spotlight on high-profile special events at
Cal Poly and throughout our community, focusing on the wide and diverse range of activities on and around campus. This site is designed to help our colleges, programs, departments and facilities promote exciting events that can be seen by a selected audience. It will update regularly and includes events happening in the next 30-45 days. It is not a calendar of all events, and it does not include student club events. Here are some links to help you navigate:
Submitting an Event to Events.calpoly.edu
To submit your event for consideration, please send the event title, date, time, duration, ticket information, intended audience(s) and image (1600 bpi wide) to event-submission@calpoly.edu.
University Events Calendar
To find a listing of all events — such as performances, lectures, workshops and more — visit our Master Calendar.
Scheduling/Booking Venues
25Live: Space and Event Scheduling can help you schedule or book a venue for an upcoming on-campus event.
Note that a minimum three-day lead time is required to process a request for use of space through the Office of the Registrar.
Visit Cal Poly Now for Student Affairs events, learning opportunities and more
Find the latest student-focused campus events from your favorite Student Affairs programs and services by visiting the new Cal Poly Now.