List of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo people explained

This article lists notable alumni of the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.

Arts and media

• Pedro Armendáriz (1912–1963), character actor, award-winning leading man in dozens of films from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema^[1]
• Michael Berryman (born 1948), actor^[2]
• Dave Carnie (born 1969), writer, artist, former editor of Big Brother Magazine
• Irene Chan (born 1965), artist^[3]
• Margo Chase (1958–2017), graphic designer
• Luke Chueh, contemporary artist^[4]
• Michelle Franzen (born 1968), television and radio journalist for NBC News and ABC News
• Danny Gans (1956–2009), Las Vegas entertainer^[5]
• Nathan L. Good (born 1954), architect^[6]
• Paula Huston (born 1952), author
• Cam Inman, San Francisco 49ers reporter for Bay Area News Group
• John Madden (1936-2021), Pro Football Hall of Fame broadcaster, head coach, and player^[7]
• Cassie McFarland (born 1985), artist, designed the obverse of the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coin^[8]
• Andy Paiko (born 1977), contemporary glass artist
• George Ramos (1947–2011), three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist^[9]
• Suzanne Roberts (born 1970), poet, travel writer, and photographer^[10]
• Zach Shallcross (born 1996), reality television personality, The Bachelor^[11]
• M. Ward (born 1973), folk musician, singer-songwriter and guitarist^[12]
• "Weird Al" Yankovic (born 1959), rock parodist and entertainer^[13]

Business

• James Griffin Boswell, chairman of the board, J.G. Boswell Company
• Jamie Evans, cannabis professional^{[14] [15]}
• Noel Lee, President and founder, Monster Cable^[16]
• Bob Mazzuca (B.S. History, 1970), Chief Scout Executive of Boy Scouts of America^[17]
• Farzad Nazem (B.S. Computer Science, 1981), former Chief Technology Officer of Yahoo!^[18]
• Peter Oppenheimer (B.S. Ag Business, 1985), former Chief Financial Officer of Apple Computer^[19]
• William H. Swanson (B.S. Industrial Engineering, 1973) (born 1950), Chairman and CEO of Raytheon

Politics and government

• Tom Berryhill, Stanislaus County Supervisor, former California State Senator^{[20] [21]}
• Warren Church, Monterey County Board of Supervisors
• Jeff Denham, former United States Representative for California's 10th congressional district^[22]
• Dennis Hollingsworth (born 1967), former California State Senator^[23]
• Doug LaMalfa, United States Representative for California's 1st congressional district^[24]
• Abel Maldonado (born 1967), 47th Lieutenant Governor of California^[25]
• Bruce McPherson (born 1944), 30th California Secretary of State^[26]
• Mohammadreza Nematzadeh, Minister of Labour and Minister of Industry and Mine in the Islamic Republic of Iran
• Devin Nunes, former United States Representative for California's 22nd Congressional District^[27]
• George Radanovich, former United States Representative for California's 19th congressional district
• Robert C. Tapella, 25th Public Printer of the United States

Science and technology

• Michael Alsbury, commercial astronaut, Virgin Galactic test pilot; killed in the 2014 Virgin Galactic crash^[28]
• Tory Bruno, rocket scientist and CEO of United Launch Alliance^[29]
• Greg Chamitoff (born 1962), astronaut^[30]
• Robert L. Gibson (born 1946), astronaut^[31]
• Victor J. Glover (born 1976), astronaut^[32]
• David Haussler, professor at University of California, Santa Cruz
• Mark Lucovsky, software architect and a part of the team that designed Windows NT^[33]
• Kristen Maitland, optical scientist and Fellow of SPIE
• Alison Murray, biochemist and Antarctic researcher
• Aaron Peckham, owner and creator of UrbanDictionary
• Burt Rutan (born 1943), designer of SpaceShipOne and Rutan Voyager^[13]
• Peter Siebold, commercial astronaut, Virgin Galactic test pilot^[34]
• Frederick W. Sturckow (born 1961), astronaut^[13]

Athletics

Baseball

• Justin Bruihl (born 1997), MLB pitcher
• Kevin Correia (born 1980), MLB pitcher^[35]
• Casey Fien (born 1983), MLB pitcher^[36]
• Mitch Haniger (born 1990), MLB outfielder for the San Francisco Giants
• Mike Krukow (born 1952), former MLB pitcher and current broadcast announcer^[13]
• Bud Norris (born 1985), MLB pitcher^[37]
• Garrett Olson (born 1983), former MLB pitcher
• John Orton (born 1965), former MLB catcher^[38]
• Ozzie Smith (born 1954), MLB Hall of Fame shortstop^[13]
• Dean Treanor (born 1947), manager of the Indianapolis Indians^[39]
• Joey Wagman (born 1991), pitcher^[40]
• Bryan Woo (born 2000), MLB pitcher for the Seattle Mariners

Basketball

• Sean Chambers (born 1965), PBA player for the Alaska Aces
• Chris Eversley (born 1991), ABL player for the Malaysia Dragons
• Mike LaRoche (born 1946), ABA player for the Los Angeles Stars
• David Nwaba (born 1993), NBA player for the Chicago Bulls^[41]
• Joe Prunty (born 1969), NBA assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks
• Derek Stockalper (born 1984), FIBA player for Swiss National Team
• Drake U'u (born 1990), NBL player for the Perth Wildcats

Football

• Marijon Ancich, high school football coach with the most wins in California history^[42]
• Ramses Barden (born 1986), former NFL wide receiver
• Bobby Beathard (born 1937), NFL Hall of Fame GM
• Jordan Beck (born 1983), NFL linebacker^[43]
• Alex Bravo (born 1930), former NFL defensive back
• Courtney Brown (born 1984), former NFL defensive back
• Sal Cesario (born 1963), former NFL offensive guard
• Jim Criner (born 1940), college football head coach
• Nick Dzubnar (born 1991), linebacker for San Diego Chargers
• Chris Gocong (born 1983), NFL linebacker^[44]
• Asa Jackson (born 1989), NFL cornerback
• Mel Kaufman (1958–2009), former NFL linebacker Washington Redskins, 1981–1988
• John Madden (1936-2021), Pro Football Hall of Fame broadcaster, head coach, and player^[7]
• Dana Nafziger (born 1953), NFL player
• Ted Tollner (born 1940), former NFL coach
• Cecil Turner (born 1944), former NFL WR/KR Chicago Bears, 1968–1973, selected to 1971 NFL Pro Bowl
• Fred Whittingham (born 1939), former NFL linebacker and coach

Other athletes

• Kip Colvey (born 1994), professional soccer player for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer; represents his home country New Zealand in international FIFA tournaments
• Sharon Day (born 1985), former NCAA women's high jump champion, 2011 USA outdoor national heptathlon champion
• Sean Johnston (rally driver) (born 1990), American World Rally Championship driver ^[45]
• Dean Karnazes, ultramarathoner
• Karen Kraft, U.S. silver medalist in coxless pair rowing at the 1996 Summer Olympics and a bronze medalist in coxless pairs at the 2000 Summer Olympics
• Gene Lenz, All-American college swimmer, 1960 Summer Olympics finalist in the 400-meter freestyle
• Chuck Liddell (born 1969), wrestler; retired mixed martial artist, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, and UFC Hall of Fame member^{[46] [47]}
• Gan McGee, professional MMA fighter
• Chad Mendes (born 1985), 2008 NCAA wrestling runner-up at 141 lbs., professional MMA fighter, UFC featherweight contender^[48]
• Gina Miles, U.S. silver medalist in individual eventing at the 2008 Summer Olympics^[49]
• Borislav Novachkov, Olympic wrestler
• Gina Oceguera (born 1977), World Cup soccer player
• Anton Peterlin (born 1987), soccer player
• Victor Plata (born 1973), USA Olympian in the triathlon^[50]
• Loren Roberts (born 1955), professional golfer on the PGA Tour^[13]
• Monty Roberts (born 1935), professional horse trainer, former rodeo rider, and author
• Horton "Cotton" Rosser (1928-2022), 1951 All-Around National Champion, College National Finals Rodeo, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, "King of the Cowboys", owner of Flying U Rodeo Company, Cal Poly honorary doctorate, honoree of the Cotton Rosser Rodeo Complex at Cal Poly
• Taylor Spivey (born 1991), college swimmer, USA Olympian in the triathlon^[51]
• Stephanie Brown Trafton (born 1979), U.S. gold medalist in discus throw at the 2008 Summer Olympics^[49]
• Maggie Vessey (born 1981), professional 800-meter runner
• Barton Williams (born 1956), NCAA All-American 400m-hurdler

Others

• Scott C. Black (born 1952), lieutenant general (United States Army, Retired), 37th Judge Advocate General of the United States Army; the first lieutenant general to hold that position
• Wil Dasovich, Filipino American YouTube personality
• Maya Higa (born 1998), conservationist, falconer, wildlife rehabilitator, and Twitch streamer
• Laci Peterson (born 1975)
• Scott Peterson, convicted murderer
• Kristin Smart (born 1977)
• Gilbert H. Stork, president of Cuesta College

External links

• http://www.calpoly.edu/aboutcp.html#_national

Notes and References

1. Web site: Biography for Pedro Armendáriz . IMDb.
2. Web site: Michael Berryman . What A Character!.
3. Book: Kara Kelly Hallmark. Encyclopedia of Asian American Artists. 3 December 2012. 2007. Greenwood Publishing Group. 978-0-313-33451-1. 25–28.
4. http://www.lukechueh.com/bio.html Luke Chueh - Bio
5. http://www.dannygans.com/biography.htm Danny Gans - Bio
6. Web site: Four Cal Poly Alumni Elevated to the American Institute of Architects' College of Fellows. 2020-08-13. College of Architecture & Environmental Design. en.
7. Web site: John Madden - Cal Poly.
8. Web site: Alumni - Art and Design - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo . Artdesign.calpoly.edu . 2014-08-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140108042226/http://www.artdesign.calpoly.edu/Info/alumni.html . 2014-01-08 .
9. http://calcoastnews.com/2011/07/calcoastnews-editor-george-ramos-dead-at-63/ George Ramos
10. Web site: Suzanne Roberts . Suzanne Roberts . 2014-08-17.
11. Web site: Who is Zach Shallcross, Cal Poly grad on The Bachelorette. July 13, 2022. February 2, 2023. The Tribune.
12. Web site: Cal Poly grad now 'monster of folk' . 2013-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120517105450/http://mustangdaily.net/cal-poly-grad-now-monster-of-folk/ . 2012-05-17 . dead .
13. Web site: Cal Poly Alumni Shine . 2007-01-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070119173916/http://www.calpoly.edu/simplythebest/simplythebest.html#_alumni . 2007-01-19 . dead .
14. Web site: 2019-04-20. Why Weed and Wine Have More in Common Than You Think. 2021-08-25. Wine Enthusiast. en-US.
15. Web site: 2021-09-07. How Jamie Evans is Pairing Her Passions. 2021-10-20. Leaf Nation. en-US.
16. Web site: Our Alumni – Our People – Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo . Calpoly.edu . 2014-08-17.
17. Web site: Bob Mazzuca . . 2012-03-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120321044340/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_519006.html . 2012-03-21 . dead .
18. Web site: Farzad Nazem . . 2007-06-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070324194422/http://yhoo.client.shareholder.com/press/management-print.cfm?BioID=6927 . 2007-03-24 . dead .
19. Web site: Peter Oppenheimer . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070527025343/http://www.apple.com/pr/bios/oppenheimer.html . 2007-05-27 .
20. Web site: Berryhill, released from hospital, takes Stanislaus County oath of office. modbee. en. 2019-01-12.
21. Web site: ASSEMBLYMAN TOM BERRYHILL . . 2007-06-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070613051439/http://republican.assembly.ca.gov/members/index.asp?Dist=25&Lang=1&Body=Bio . 2007-06-13 . dead .
22. Web site: DENHAM, Jeff - Biographical Information. bioguide.congress.gov. 2019-01-12.
23. Web site: Senator Dennis Hollingsworth: Biography . . 2007-06-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070525051012/http://republican.sen.ca.gov/web/36/pro.asp . 2007-05-25 . dead .
24. Web site: About. 2012-12-03. Congressman Doug LaMalfa. en. 2019-01-12.
25. Web site: Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado . Lieutenant Governor of California.
26. Web site: California State University and Cal Poly Award Secretary of State Bruce McPherson Honorary Doctorate . . 2007-06-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070608114344/http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2005/may_05/mcpherson.html . 2007-06-08 . dead .
27. Web site: Meet Devin Congressman Devin Nunes. nunes.house.gov. 2019-01-12.
28. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/11/01/virgin-galactic-crash-pilot/18322677/ Pilot killed in spaceship crash identified
29. Web site: https://www.alumni.calpoly.edu/s/699/alumni/index.aspx?sid=699&gid=1&pgid=1448 .
30. Web site: Astronaut Bio: Greg Chamitoff . NASA. 11 February 2015 .
31. Web site: Astronaut Bio: R. L. Gibson . NASA. 11 February 2015 .
32. Web site: Whiting. Melanie. 2016-02-04. Victor J. Glover, Jr. (Commander, U.S. Navy) NASA Astronaut. 2020-07-29. NASA.
33. Web site: "Shrek" Lead Effects Animator, Aerospace Researcher, Three Other Grads Honored by Cal Poly College of Engineering . Cal Poly . 2007-06-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060907211021/http://calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2004/2004_news_releases/may_04/shrek.htm . 2006-09-07 . dead .
34. http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/01/us/spaceshiptwo-incident/ SpaceShipTwo pilots had many years of experience - CNN.com
35. Web site: Kevin Correia Statistics . baseball-reference.
36. Web site: Casey Fien Stats. Baseball Almanac. December 3, 2012.
37. Web site: Bud Norris Statistics . baseball-reference.
38. Web site: John Orton Statistics . baseball-reference.
39. Web site: http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?sid=t484&ymd=20050902&content_id=24686&vkey=roster.
40. Web site: Joey Wagman Stats, Fantasy & News.
41. Web site: Bulls claim David Nwaba. NBA.com.
42. Web site: Marijon Ancich . GoPoly.com . 2007-06-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927042938/http://www.gopoly.com/index.php?p=hall_of_fame_detail&id=614 . 2007-09-27 . dead .
43. Web site: NFL.com - Jordan Beck . NFL.
44. Web site: NFL.com - Chris Gocong . NFL.
45. Web site: INSIGHT: Sean Johnston on flying the Stars and Stripes in the WRC . 13 October 2021 .
46. Web site: Chuck Liddell . USMTA.com.
47. Web site: Chuck Liddell UFC Bio. 2014-01-01.
48. Web site: Chad Mendes UFC Bio. 2014-01-01.
49. Web site: Cal Poly: Athletic and Academic Excellence . 2012-12-16 . 2020-08-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200802070343/https://gopoly.com/404-1.aspx?url=/inside_athletics/whycalpoly . dead .
50. Web site: United States Olympic Committee - Plata, Victor . USA Olympic Team . 2007-03-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070313083054/http://www.usolympicteam.com/26_20608.htm . 2007-03-13 . dead .
51. Web site: 2024-06-14 . Meet Paris 2024 Olympic Triathlete Taylor Spivey . 2024-09-18 . www.usatriathlon.org . en.