Hae Park
Class of ‘78 Hotel & Restaurant Management
Class of '84 M.B.A. Business Administration
Owner - Cal Pacific Realty, Bel-Air Swap-Meet, Pro Swap-Meet

Hae Park worked hard to succeed at Cal Poly Pomona, and succeed he did with the help of Collins School professor Donald Lundberg, who encouraged Park to continue his studies despite the difficult language barrier he faced. He received his bachelor’s degree in hotel & restaurant management in 1978 and earned a master’s in business administration in 1984.

“I am truly grateful for the education and guidance I received from Dr. Lundberg while I was attending The Collins School of Hospitality Management,” says Park. “I have a tremendous amount of appreciation and respect for him and other professors, especially Dr. Richard Johnson of the history department, during hard times.”

After graduation, he worked in the hospitality industry before branching out as a true entrepreneur. Park earned his real estate and broker’s licenses, began brokering real estate deals, eventually investing in his own properties. He currently operates successful businesses in the Inland Empire, including real estate development. With his wife, Shina, Park owns and operates Cal Pacific Realty, which includes ventures such as Bel-Air and Pro swap meets. They continue their close ties to the university in a number of vital ways. First, their son, Eugene, is currently a Collins School student. Second, as a tribute to Dr. Lundberg, the Parks have pledged to create a $20,000 recruitment scholarship. And third, as a life member of the Cal Poly Pomona Alumni Association, Park hopes to inspire other alumni to make a difference at their alma mater. To encourage and stimulate beneficial liaisons between past, present, and future students and the university, the Parks have pledged $1 million to establish an alumni office at The Collins School.

“It is now time to invest in whoever needs our help and support,” he says, noting that Dr. Lundberg was the difference between scholastic success and dropping out at a crucial time in his educational career. “Shina and I would also like to thank Mr. James Collins for matching our donation of $1 million, as well as Dr. Robert Small, dean, and Ms. Joan Rubio, director of development, for motivating us to invest in the future of The Collins School of Hospitality Management.”