List of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo people

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

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Arts and media

"Weird Al" Yankovic

Farzad Nazem

Abel Maldonado

Devin Nunes

Bruce McPherson

• 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^[13]
• Jack Trimble (B.S. Psychology, 2024), current Chief Executive Officer of Copper & Crystal, Bar Service

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^{[citation needed]}
• 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^[46]
• 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^[47][48]
• Gan McGee, professional MMA fighter^{[citation needed]}
• Chad Mendes (born 1985), 2008 NCAA wrestling runner-up at 141 lbs., professional MMA fighter, UFC featherweight contender^[49]
• Gina Miles, U.S. silver medalist in individual eventing at the 2008 Summer Olympics^[46]
• 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^[46]
• 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

Notes

1. "Biography for Pedro Armendáriz". IMDb.
2. "Michael Berryman". What A Character!.
3. Kara Kelly Hallmark (2007). Encyclopedia of Asian American Artists. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 25–28. ISBN 978-0-313-33451-1. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
4. Luke Chueh - Bio
5. Danny Gans - Bio Archived 2008-05-16 at the Wayback Machine
6. "Four Cal Poly Alumni Elevated to the American Institute of Architects' College of Fellows". College of Architecture & Environmental Design. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
7. "John Madden - Cal Poly".
8. "Alumni - Art and Design - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo". Artdesign.calpoly.edu. Archived from the original on 2014-01-08. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
9. George Ramos
10. "Suzanne Roberts". Suzanne Roberts. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
11. "Who is Zach Shallcross, Cal Poly grad on The Bachelorette". The Tribune. July 13, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
12. "Cal Poly grad now 'monster of folk'". Archived from the original on 2012-05-17. Retrieved 2013-01-18.
13. "Cal Poly Alumni Shine". Archived from the original on 2007-01-19. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
14. "Why Weed and Wine Have More in Common Than You Think". Wine Enthusiast. 2019-04-20. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
15. "How Jamie Evans is Pairing Her Passions". Leaf Nation. 2021-09-07. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
16. "Our Alumni – Our People – Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo". Calpoly.edu. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
17. "Bob Mazzuca". Boy Scouts of America. Archived from the original on 2012-03-21. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
18. "Farzad Nazem". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 2007-03-24. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
19. "Peter Oppenheimer". Apple Computer. Archived from the original on 2007-05-27.
20. "Berryhill, released from hospital, takes Stanislaus County oath of office". modbee. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
21. "ASSEMBLYMAN TOM BERRYHILL". California State Assembly. Archived from the original on 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
22. "DENHAM, Jeff - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
23. "Senator Dennis Hollingsworth: Biography". California State Senate. Archived from the original on 2007-05-25. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
24. "About". Congressman Doug LaMalfa. 2012-12-03. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
25. "Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado". Lieutenant Governor of California.
26. "California State University and Cal Poly Award Secretary of State Bruce McPherson Honorary Doctorate". Cal Poly. Archived from the original on 2007-06-08. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
27. "Meet Devin | Congressman Devin Nunes". nunes.house.gov. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
28. Pilot killed in spaceship crash identified
29. https://www.alumni.calpoly.edu/s/699/alumni/index.aspx?sid=699&gid=1&pgid=1448. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
30. "Astronaut Bio: Greg Chamitoff". NASA. 11 February 2015.
31. "Astronaut Bio: R. L. Gibson". NASA. 11 February 2015.
32. Whiting, Melanie (2016-02-04). "Victor J. Glover, Jr. (Commander, U.S. Navy) NASA Astronaut". NASA. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
33. ""Shrek" Lead Effects Animator, Aerospace Researcher, Three Other Grads Honored by Cal Poly College of Engineering". Cal Poly. Archived from the original on 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
34. SpaceShipTwo pilots had many years of experience - CNN.com
35. "Kevin Correia Statistics". baseball-reference.
36. "Casey Fien Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
37. "Bud Norris Statistics". baseball-reference.
38. "John Orton Statistics". baseball-reference.
39. http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?sid=t484&ymd=20050902&content_id=24686&vkey=roster. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
40. "Joey Wagman Stats, Fantasy & News".
41. "Bulls claim David Nwaba". NBA.com.
42. "Marijon Ancich". GoPoly.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
43. "NFL.com - Jordan Beck". NFL.
44. "NFL.com - Chris Gocong". NFL.
45. "INSIGHT: Sean Johnston on flying the Stars and Stripes in the WRC". 13 October 2021.
46. "Cal Poly: Athletic and Academic Excellence". Archived from the original on 2020-08-02. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
47. "Chuck Liddell". USMTA.com.
48. "Chuck Liddell UFC Bio". Retrieved 2014-01-01.
49. "Chad Mendes UFC Bio". Retrieved 2014-01-01.
50. "United States Olympic Committee - Plata, Victor". USA Olympic Team. Archived from the original on 2007-03-13. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
51. "Meet Paris 2024 Olympic Triathlete Taylor Spivey". www.usatriathlon.org. 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-09-18.

External links

• http://www.calpoly.edu/aboutcp.html#_national Archived 2008-12-16 at the Wayback Machine