CLA Grad Poised to Become University of North Texas President
The University of North Texas has scheduled an Aug. 15 reception for UNT's incoming president, Dr. Gretchen M. Bataille (B.S., English, 1966, M.A., English Education, 1967). The UNT System Board of Regents is expected to confirm Bataille as UNT's new president on Aug. 14. Formerly the top academic official for the University of North Carolina system, she was tapped in July as the sole finalist to be the next president at UNT. Bataille, 61, is a scholar of Native American literature with a vast background as an academic administrator at large university systems in California, North Carolina and Washington state. She will be the first woman to hold the presidency at the college. In addition to her Cal Poly degrees, she earned a doctorate in English from Drake University and has completed management development programs at Harvard University and the University of California.
Read the UNT Press Release Announcing Bataille's Appointment
Read the Dallas Morning News Story
Madden Officially Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
Retired pro football coach and current 'Monday Night Football' and television sports commentator John Madden was officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Aug. 5. Madden coached the Oakland Raiders for 10 straight seasons beginning in 1969, turning the team into perennial winners and, in 1976, Superbowl Champions. Madden earned both his bachelor's (PE '59) and master's degrees (M.A. -- ED & PE '61 ) at Cal Poly, and played for the Mustangs -- football and baseball -- in 1957 and 1958.
Read the Contra Costa Times Story
Visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame Web Page on Madden
CM Grad Nominated as General, Hawaii Army Reserve Commander
Army Reserve Col. Alexander I. Kozlov (B.S., Engineering Science, 1979) has been nominated to become a brigadier general, subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
Kozlov, 48, has commanded the U.S. Army Facility Engineer Group in Darien, Ill., 416th Engineer Command, since April 2005. He lives in Redwood City, Calif., and in civilian life is vice president of MacDonald-Bedford -- a construction management consulting firm. He received his bachelor's degree from California Polytechnic State University and is currently working on a master's degree from the university. He is set to assume command in Hawaii by the end of the year.
Read the Honolulu Star-Bulletin story
Gocong Slims Down,
Changes Gears for Life as a Philly Linebacker
USA Today profiled recent grad Chris Gocong (B.S. Engineering, 2006) and his progress at the Philadelphia Eagles training camp. Gocong is dropping pounds to fit into his new role as a linebacker, as well as learning his new team's complex plays -- and the mindset needed in his new NFL position. Gocong was one of the most highly regarded pass rushers in this year's NFL draft. Photo courtesy Philadelphia Eagles
Read the USA Today story
Read the Philadelphia Daily News Story
Read the SLO Tribune Story
Ag Alum's Rice Farm Secured as a Haven for Wildlife
A conservation easement on 1,200 acres owned by rice farmer Al Montna (B.S., Farm Management, 1967) means the high-production farm is also home and haven for western wild fowl. The easement is part of a larger estate planning strategy for Montna, a way to help ensure his land is never taken out of farming and will always be managed to benefit wildlife. "Driving the back roads of Montna Farms in Sutter County is a wildlife adventure. It's not unusual to see a rafter of wild turkeys strut down a dirt road or catch a glimpse of a bobcat slipping into the bushes for cover. The abundance of wildlife is no accident. Montna Farms is managed to protect habitat and encourage the growth of wildlife populations."
Read the California Ag Alert/Country Magazine Article
Ag Education Grad Running for Nevada State Assembly
James Settelmeyer, (B.S., Ag Science, 1994) is running to represent District 39 in the Nevada State Assembly. Settelmeyer, 35, stresses education is a real concern for him. With his father, Arnold Settelmeyer, James Settelmeyer operates two ranches in Carson Valley, Nev.
Read the Record-Courier Story
Credential Grad Running Across U.S. for American Heart Association
Steve Bethune (CRD, Elementary Education, 2005) is taking a "break" before tackling teaching full-time.
Bethune, 25, will run across the United States, through 10 pairs of Asics shoes, 720,000 calories and 50 books on CD. Bethune, who decided to devote himself to running across America on a whim after teaching middle school, is now running for a cause -- to raise $50,000 for the American Heart Association. He chose the organization because his grandfather and great-uncle died of heart disease.
Read the Contra Costa Times Story on Topix.net
J-Grad Writes About Campus in Record-Searchlight Column
Jeffrey Jen (B.S., Journalism, 1998) recently visited campus and San Luis Obispo after being away for a while. While some things stay the same -- plenty has changed. "It has been five years since I last visited San Luis Obispo and eight since I've graduated. Since then, the focus has been on my career and what lies ahead. The few days back in town served as my own personal lesson of sorts to try and stay more connected to a part of my past."
Read Jeffrey Jen's column in the Redding Record-Searchilight
Journalism Grad Travels the World for Charlotte's WCNC
Andy Benton (B.S., Journalism, 1992) is the co-producer of Carolina Traveler, a regular feature at WCNC news in Charlotte, North Carolina. He's recently started blogging for the station about some of the things that happen on assignment, but off camera. "I've been front and center at the Super Bowl, looked up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and been backstage at the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, all on the company dime. I've seen the fall colors from a helicopter, gone to the Olympics (twice) and spent a week at the beach watching the sunset on the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. And I got paid!"
Read his WCNC blog
J-Alum Climbs Europe's Highest Mountain
in Breast Cancer Fundraiser
Bob Berger (B.S., Journalism, 1981) is living and working in Boulder, CO. But this year, he joined a team climb of Russia's Mt. Elbrus to raise money for breast cancer research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle. "How does one decide to travel to Russia and climb Europe's tallest peak to raise $10,000 for breast cancer research and awareness? Good question," he asked in a posting on the climb's blog July 7. Berger's team, led by a guide, completed the summit climb despite blizzards and freezing weather during the July 9-23 trip.
Read about the fund-raising trip
Check out Berger's blog
Ag Alum Retires after Long Career with UC Cooperative Extension
Ron Vargas (B.S., Crop Science
, 1968, M.S. Agriculture, 1972) has retired after 33 years with the University of California Cooperative Extension as an agronomy farm advisor, and most recently director of the Madera County UC Extension office. He's spent his career finding solutions to agricultural challenges and sharing them with San Joaquin Valley farmers.
Read the Western Farm Press Story
AgBiz Alum Founds Sierra Stainless Steel Fabrication Business in Nevada
Grad Daniel Neising (B.S., Ag Business, 1997) Has founded Sierra Stainless, a steel fabrication company in Nevada. Neising purchased the assets from the defunct Modern Stainless & Steel company, forming Sierra Stainless, The company has all the metal it needs and is firing out orders, supplying wineries and moving into the dairy industry.
Read the Nevada Appeal story
Booster Switzer To Be Inducted into State Fair Rodeo Hall of Fame
The California State Fair will induct JoAnn Switzer of Pozo into its Rodeo Hall of fame on Aug. 30. The Rodeo Hall of Fame Award is presented annually to an individual or organization that has supported the rodeo industry above and beyond his or her own self-interests. Switzer, the parent of an alum, has spent her lifetime supporting rodeo. She helped to organize the Cal Poly Rodeo Boosters. Born and raised on a ranch in Pozo, Switzer continues to run cattle. She has worked for many years managing Alex Madonna's nationally recognized purebred Hereford and Brahman herds and has traveled around the world promoting those cattle breeds.
Read the story in the Woodland Daily Democrat
Passings: Longtime Porterville Newspaper Editor Art Thrall
Arthur A. “Art” Thrall, a former newspaper editor and community booster in Porterville, died July 24 in Las Vegas. He was 82. Thrall, longtime editor of the Porterville Recorder, was known as “the voice of Porterville." He came to Cal Poly after graduating from high school in 1942, but the draft board called him up in December, 1942 at age 19. In 1943 he was shipped out with the Second Marine Division and was part of the Invasion of Tarawa Island - the bloodiest battle in the Pacific. He was shot through the elbow, bandaged up and sent right back into action.
Read the full obituary in the Porterville Recorder
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