2008 Distinguished Alumni

Continuing the 48-year tradition of recognizing Distinguished Alumni, eight graduates were honored at a reception April 25 at The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch. Honorees were recognized for their professional achievement, community involvement and service to the university.

Read more about these outstanding alumni below...

Kelly F. Duke ‘82, College of Agriculture
Duke is vice president of preconstruction services at ValleyCrest Landscape Development, Inc. He prepares budget estimates on construction projects for the company. His clients include Disney, the Getty Center and the Huntington Library. Duke shares his excitement for the field of landscaping with high school students through the Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program at Van Nuys High School and in the Pasadena School District.

Kathy Lynn Tully ‘76 and ‘80, College of Business Administration
Named one of the top 100 women Financial Advisors in the country by Barron’s, Tully is a senior vice president and wealth advisor for Morgan Stanley. She is a member of the exclusive Chairman’s Club and manages more than 1,000 clients and assets totaling more than $450 million. She currently serves as chair of the San Antonio Hospital Foundation Board and as a member of Cal Poly Pomona’s National Development Council, University Educational Trust and the Business Advisory Council.

Rebecca Ritt Rhoads ‘80 and ‘86, College of Engineering
Rhoads is vice president and chief information officer of Raytheon Company, a multibillion dollar technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and international government markets. She is responsible for providing expert council to senior management and for developing information technology strategy, functions and processes. Rhoads has been recognized with numerous awards, including Corporate America Top 100 Influential Leaders and Top 50 Women in Technology.

Ming Tai ‘00, College of Environmental Design
A two-time Emmy Award-winning designer, Tai is co-owner of MFactor, a full-service design studio specializing in motion design. MFactor brands shows and television networks, as well as produces commercials, public service announcements and promotions. Clients include NBC, FOX Entertainment and Warner Bros. MFactor has earned more than 20 industry awards for excellence in motion design and communication. Tai also teaches at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena where he helped develop the motion design curriculum.

Jonathan D. Farrar ‘78, College of Letters Arts and Social Sciences
Farrar works extensively in Latin America as a senior Foreign Service officer for the United States Department of State. His position as the principal deputy assistant secretary is an opportunity for him to serve the country as well as to have input on foreign policy. His work has garnered two State Department Superior Honor Awards and four meritorious Honor Awards.

Jim DeForge ‘75 & ‘80, College of Science
As the director of the Bighorn Sheep Institute, DeForge has dedicated his career to the research and conservation of the endangered desert animal. He has worked to overcome legal restrictions and other challenges. Recently, DeForge was honored by the Bureau of Land Management for 25 years of outstanding research and recovery of the Peninsula Big Horn Sheep.

Ian Blackburn ‘91, The Collins School of Hospitality Management
Blackburn is a certified wine professional and industry spokesperson. Since 1995 he has worked to develop learnaboutwine.com, a Web site devoted to the education, service and enjoyment of wine. With more than 200 events per year and 18,000 Web site subscribers, Blackburn has earned notoriety as an expert in his field. He has taught classes at Cordon Bleu, Cal Poly Pomona, UCLA and The Learning Annex, as well as private courses for corporate clients including Disney and Ernst &Young.

Daniel Marsh ‘72, Athletics
Marsh recently celebrated his 36-year anniversary with State Farm Insurance Companies. In each of his four years at Cal Poly Pomona Marsh lettered as a gymnast. He received all conference honors in 1970 and 1971. He remains active with the Bronco Athletics Association and has helped raise more than $2 million in scholarship money for student athletes. Additionally he chairs the Bronco Golf Classic. Marsh is a member of the State Farm Political Action Network and has served on their board of directors for the past 10 years.