Sheryl Thomas-Perkins
’82, Communication

For Sheryl Thomas-Perkins, the seeds planted during her Cal Poly Pomona years continue to develop throughout her notable career in communications. Before taking on a nine-year post as senior government affairs representative for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Thomas-Perkins worked in public relations for the cities of Los Angeles and Atlanta and in journalism for publications in California and Georgia. Like a well-planned garden, her career has reaped the benefits of careful cultivation, which began in her college years.

“Cal Poly Pomona continues to sow good things into my life,” Thomas-Perkins says. “The work I do now often requires the research skills, attention to deadlines, and comfort with public speaking that I developed as a student.” Read more...

'Jungle Cuts' Makes History
"Jungle Cuts," the Cal Poly Universities' entry in this year's Tournament of Roses Parade, has made history by winning two major honors: the Bob Hope Humor Trophy and the Viewers' Choice Award. The float, depicting a monkey barber shop replete with a menagerie of customers wearing mullets, beehives and mohawks, drew loud cheers as it ambled down Colorado Boulevard. Read more...

Engineering Dean Announces Retirement Date
One of Cal Poly Pomona's most influential and effective leaders has announced his intent to retire. Dr. Edward Hohmann, who has served the university with distinction as dean of the College of Engineering and professor of chemical and materials engineering for 38 years, will retire on June 30, 2011. Read more...

CSU Launches Bold Graduation Initiative
California State University announced a long-term graduation initiative at last week's Board of Trustees meeting with the goal of increasing the system's graduation rates and helping underrepresented students to complete college. The graduation initiative involves all 23 CSU campuses and is expected to raise six-year graduation rates by eight percent by 2016. Read more...

Help for the People of Haiti
The American Red Cross is in Haiti providing emergency relief for earthquake survivors. The Cal Poly Pomona community can support those efforts relief efforts through a donation to the American Red Cross - Haiti. Read more...

To keep up with Cal Poly Pomona news and events, visit PolyCentric.

Save the Date for Tasting & Auction
Savor the best of Southern California wine and cuisine on May 2, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Cal Poly Pomona's beautiful W.K. Kellogg Commemorative Rose Garden and Aratani Japanese Garden. Place your bids on exclusive auction packages and enjoy live entertainment at this third annual event benefitting scholarships and academic enrichment opportunities. For ticket information and event details, visit www.polytaste.com.

New Benefits Added to Alumni Association Membership
As Alumni Association members, you receive a variety of benefits. Just added, the Farm Store at Kellogg Ranch will be giving Alumni Association members a 10 percent discount on any food item purchase when showing your membership card. Visit the Alumni Association website to view a list of all membership benefits.

Take a Short Survey and Be Entered Into a Prize Drawing!
The food marketing & agribusiness management department wants to hear your thoughts about Cal Poly Pomona's award-winning Horsehill Vineyards wine. Please take five minutes to complete a survey that will help the students in their promotion efforts. Survey winners will receive a bottle of wine. The Horsehill Vineyards slideshow shows the project evolve from vine to wine. Winners will be notified on February 15 and must be 21 or older to participate.

Special Bronco Bookstore Offer
Preserve your achievement! The Bronco Bookstore is offering alumni 20 percent off a custom frame for your diploma. Visit the Bookstore website and enter coupon code CPPALUMNI to receive the discount. This special pricing is good for the month of February.

Share Your Experience by Becoming an Alumni Mentor Today!
Join hundreds of alumni mentors who are making a difference in students' lives by sharing their knowledge and expertise. This e-mentoring program allows students to receive practical career advice. Students can search for mentors by major, occupation or special interest. Click here to sign up now.

Cal Poly Pomona Alumni Association on LinkedIn
Join the official Cal Poly Pomona Alumni Association Group and get linked to a network of more than 15,000 alumni. To become a member of this growing network, click here.

New Alumni Email Account For Life Now Available
You've asked, we've listened! In an effort to better serve our alumni, the Office of Alumni Affairs updated the Alumni Email For Life Forwarding System.  You now have access to a totally free Cal Poly Pomona Email Account hosted by Microsoft. Register today!

Follow the RKR on Facebook, Twitter
Get the latest scoop about The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch by following it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RKRanch and Twitter at www.twitter.com/RKRanch.

Launching California’s First Master of Science in Hospitality Management
Building from its renowned undergraduate program, The Collins College is launching a Master of Science in Hospitality Management. The graduate program is the first and only hospitality management degree program of its kind in California. Read more…

Unique Affinity Program
If you are a business owner or are in a position to make business insurance decisions, contact Alumni Marketing Insurance Services, Inc. (AMIS).  AMIS’ unique affinity program offers alumni the opportunity to give back to their alma mater at no cost to them or their business. By aligning your business insurance with AMIS, you can help design a scholarship to a deserving student. Contact AMIS at (888) 342-4440 or email pviveros@alumnimarketing.net for more information. 

Get on the Inside Track with the College of Business Administration
Sponsored by the CBA Alumni Chapter, INSIDE TRACK networking events provide excellent opportunities to leverage your status as an alum or friend of Cal Poly Pomona. Whether you're hoping to find new clients, learn about job opportunities, discuss business strategies or simply have fun and meet great people, INSIDE TRACK is the way to make it happen. Events take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at El Torito in Rancho Cucamonga and on the fourth Wednesday of the month at Prime Cut Café in Orange. Go to our website to RSVP and to learn more.

Looking for past issues of Poly @lumni? You can access them by visiting our archives at www.csupomona.edu/alumni/polyalumni_archives.html.