Brief Description:
Nestled among 1,438 rolling acres on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County, Cal Poly Pomona is a founding member of the California State University system. All eight colleges within the university embrace a learn-by-doing philosophy, recognizing that students who solve classroom problems today have an advantage as professionals solving real-world problems tomorrow. Cal Poly Pomona is consistently ranked among the top public universities among non-doctorate granting institutions in the western United States.
topMission Statement:
Cal Poly Pomona's mission is to advance learning and knowledge by linking theory and practice in all disciplines, and to prepare students for lifelong learning, leadership and careers in a changing, multicultural world.topPresident's Quote:
“W.K. Kellogg, whose vision and generosity laid the foundation for what today is Cal Poly Pomona, once said, ‘I will invest my money in people.’ As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, that commitment is central to our mission. The investments we make today in our people – our students – will pay rich dividends to society and the nation’s economic well being.”
— J. Michael Ortiz, PresidenttopMajor Accomplishments:
- When ranked by the salary potential of its graduates, Cal Poly Pomona is 13th among the nation’s state universities, according to PayScale, a global compensation data leader.
- The $42 million gift from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 2010 is a record cash donation to a California State University.
- Professor Jill Adler-Moore helped develop and patent AmBisome, which has become the international gold standard for treating fungal diseases in humans.
- One out of 15 engineers in California is a graduate of the university’s College of Engineering.
- The men’s basketball team won the Division II championship in 2010, becoming the first unranked team to win the title in more than 30 years.
topFun Facts:
- The W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center is home to more than 100 purebred Arabian horses from the herd started by breakfast cereal pioneer W.K. Kellogg on his Pomona ranch more than 85 years ago. The center runs horse shows every first Sunday of the month, October through May, which are open to the public.
- The Rose Parade float program—a joint effort with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo—will mark its 66th entry in the 2014 parade. It is the only continuing Rose Parade entry built by university students and has won more than 50 awards since its inception.
- Rain Bird BioTrek, a comprehensive rainforest simulation and learning center, is the only facility of its kind at a university. It features a rainforest, an ethnobotany garden and an aquatic biology center in 25,000 square feet of learning space.
The 16-acre solar-powered John T. Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies is carbon neutral.
topNotable Alumni:
- Hilda Solis, former congresswoman and secretary of labor
- Eddy Hartenstein, Los Angeles Times publisher
- Jim Zorn, former NFL quarterback and coach
- Jack Dangermond, founder of the Environmental Systems Research Institute, the world’s preeminent mapping software company
- Walter Ray Williams, Jr., Hall of Fame bowler
- Violet Palmer, the first woman to referee an NBA game
- Eva Wassermann, senior vice president at GEM Realty Capital, a private equity firm
- Don Brinkerhoff, founder and chairman of Lifescapes International
- Mary Niven, vice president of Disney California Adventure Park and Guest Services at the Disneyland Resort
topTestimonials:
“Cal Poly Pomona is a home away from home for a lot of underrepresented communities. You feel like you’re not alone. There are people who share your experiences, which makes you want to embrace this campus.” — Chris Osuala, 2012-13 student body president
“My education at Cal Poly … and what I learned spending so much time in the field with professional auditors, put me leaps and bounds ahead of the competition when I graduated.” — Mickey Segal, managing partner of Nigro Karlin Segal & Feldstein, LLP, and mayor of Arcadia, Calif.