Student Success
Definition of Success
1 a: degree or measure of succeeding b: satisfactory completion of something c: the gaining of wealth, respect or fame 2: a person or thing that succeeds
Finalist
Gabriella Hernandez, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in animal science, was selected as a finalist in the American Society for Nutrition’s Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Poster Competition for her research on pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in neonatal Iberian pigs. The competition highlights the best research done by students pursuing their masters and doctorate degrees and clinical fellows in the American Society of Nutrition. She was also selected as one of six finalists to participate in the 2019 American Society for Nutrition’s (ASN) Young Minority Investigator Oral Competition, organized by the Minority and Diversity Affairs Committee this June in Baltimore, Maryland.
Reserve Champion
Armando Nevarez, a second year ag systems management major, was named the Reserve Champion of the state of California at the Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference Collegiate Discussion Meet in Sonoma County in February. Fourth-year agricultural communication major Chloe Fowler, first-year dairy science major Genevieve Regli and fourth year agricultural communication major James Broaddus also competed in the event, advancing to the Elite Eight round. The students met Kevin Kester, immediate past president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Jamie Johansson, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation.
2019-20 ASI President
Third-year environmental management and protection major Mark Borges was elected to serve as the 2019–20 ASI President. He is the 25th ASI president from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. Borges, who ran on a platform focused on improving campus health and well-being, diversity and inclusion, sustainability and empowering student voices, previously served as the chair of the ASI Board of Directors.
Cal Poly Loggers
The Cal Poly Loggers traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado, to the Association of Western Forestry Clubs 80th Annual Conclave. Senior bioresource and agricultural engineering major Will Kraemer took top honors at the Stihl Western Men's Collegiate Qualifier and agricultural and environmental plant sciences senior Erin Sheridan finished third in Stihl’s Women’s Triple Event. Kraemer will head to Milwaukee this summer to compete in Stihl's National Men's Collegiate Championship.
Top Three
Six students attended the national conference of the Society of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences in April, placing in the top three of four separate speaking contests. Junior agricultural science major Mayte Magallon won second in the Business Pitch Contest; sophomore ag systems management major Armando Nevarez won second in the Impromptu Speaking Contest; senior agricultural science major Angel Carrillo won third place in the Prepared Public Speaking Contest; and sophomore agricultural science major Gissel Corcoles won second place in the Prepared Public Speaking Contest. In addition, Corcoles and graduate student Omar Benitez, who is pursuing a master’s degree in plant science, were both elected to national office.
Dairy Science Students
A team of four Cal Poly students: dairy science majors Hank DeVries, Alexandra Gambonini, and Elisabeth and Elise Regusci took first place at the 18th annual North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge held March 28-30 in Tifton, Georgia. During the competition, students evaluated a dairy including analyzing financial statements and health records. The students then presented recommendations to a panel of judges. This is the fifth time in the last six years that a Cal Poly team placed first in its division.
Quadrathlon
A team of four Cal Poly animal science majors took first place at the 2019 Western Section American Society of Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon, held April 5-6 in Moscow, Idaho. The team, consisting of Selby Boerman, Sarah Dreyer, Kaitlyn McFarlan, and Hannah Neer competed in four events, including a written exam, oral presentation, a practicum of eight labs, and a quiz bowl.
First Place
Victoria Smith, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in animal science, won first place at the CSU Student Research Competition in Fullerton on April 26 for her study about bile acid dysregulation and colon cancer in Iberian pigs.
Polo Teams Advance
The men’s and women’s polo teams both advanced to the 2019 National Intercollegiate Polo Championship in April. Claire English, a sophomore majoring in animal science, was awarded the Sportsmanship trophy. She was selected for the award by members of all three competing women’s teams from Cornell, UVA and Texas A&M.
Rodeo of the Year
The Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Rodeo Team had 14 members advance to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming. The Poly Royal Rodeo was also named regional Rodeo of the Year. Additional regional accolades include: senior recreation, parks and tourism administration major Sterling Humphry winning men’s all around; freshman agricultural communication major Sadie Noblitt winning women’s reserve all around; and senior marine sciences major Hannah Steagall winning women’s rookie of the year. In addition, the women’s team won the regional title and the men’s team won second place. for the award by members of all three competing women’s teams from Cornell, UVA and Texas A&M.
Visit Cultivate Summer 2019 to read more stories.