Jacob Deavers and Tiffany Dinh of the Cal Poly Pomona track and field program have qualified for the National Championships, NCAA Division II officials announced Tuesday.

The championships will be held May 24 to 26 at the Neta and Eddie DeRose Thunderbowl in Pueblo, Colo. Colorado State Pueblo is the host for the 2012 and 2013 D-II National Championships.

For Deavers, a senior out of Lake Elsinore, this will be his second appearance on the track and field national stage. At the 2011 championships in Turlock, Deavers finished seventh in the 400-meter hurdles event to earn All-American recognition.

May Budget Revision Avoids Direct Cuts to the CSU, but Includes Larger Trigger Cut
The CSU will receive an essentially flat budget in 2012-13 but faces an additional $250 million cut in November if voters reject Gov. Jerry Brown's tax measure.

If the taxes are voted down, the CSU's state funding will be reduced to $1.8 billion, the lowest amount the university has received in 17 years, yet the CSU is serving 90,000 more students.

President Ortiz congratulates this year's outstanding advisors, a group of individuals who have made a difference in students' lives. A reception to honor them will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. on the eighth floor of the CLA Building.

The president's weekly video message also celebrates the Greek community's fundraising efforts earlier this month. Students donated 823 books to the Children's Center, as well as 5,000 canned goods and 1,300 articles of clothing to a Pomona homeless shelter. They raised nearly $9,000 for the university for scholarships, educational conferences, and the beautification of campus. Another $4,100 will be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The life of an ROTC student can be a grueling one, with early morning physical workouts, a full load of classes, ROTC lab exercises on Fridays and weekend commitments.

No one ever said the Reserve Officers' Training Corps would be an easy journey. But when students graduate from college, they not only earn bachelor's degrees, they also can look forward to becoming commissioned officers in the military, positions that require effective leaders who can handle difficult situations and make tough decisions.

Penelope the pot-bellied pig spends her Saturdays sunning herself in the pen next to the Farm Store. She shares the enclosure with eight Nigerian Pigmy goats and three sheep but pays them no attention, preferring to snuffle along on the periphery. When the petting zoo opens at 11 it becomes clear that Penelope is a fan favorite -- children take turns scratching her on the back, and she falls over with her eyes closed.

Danny's Farm, a new addition at Cal Poly Pomona, was founded in 2007 by Jim and Cathy Gott for their son Danny who was diagnosed with autism. The nonprofit organization supports children and adults with autism by offering job opportunities and therapeutic interaction with farm animals.

Cal Poly Pomona senior right-hander Geoff Broussard has been named the 2012 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Pitcher of the Year, conference officials announced Wednesday.

Joining Broussard as All-CCAA First Team selections were senior catcher Jenzen Torres and junior right-hander Erick Ruvalcaba. The Second Team roster included two Broncos: senior first baseman Chris Miller and junior outfielder Donald Walter.

It's hard to predict which schools will prevail at the sixth annual Robot Rally on Friday, May 11, but this much is certain: Many contenders will yell themselves hoarse, some will jump for joy, a few will stare in disbelief -- and all will leave the event with a greater interest in engineering.

The rally, which will take place in the atrium of Building 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is the culmination of several months of hands-on training and preparation at a dozen elementary and middle schools from throughout Southern California. More than 600 students from fourth through eighth grade will compete. Half are female and nearly 80 percent are Latino.

University Police has released a sketch of a man suspected in two robberies last week that occurred in the same general area. The robber is described as a white man in his 20s, about 5-foot-9, with a thin build and blond hair.

Both incidents last week involved cell phones, and descriptions of the assailant are similar.

On Thursday, May 3, a white male approached a student who was walking through Parking Lot K toward the bus stop at Temple Avenue and South Campus Drive. After demanding to see the student's phone, the man punched him in the face, took the cell phone and ran. 

On Monday, April 30, a white male in his early 20s asked to use a student's cell phone, then punched him in the face and ran away. The student was walking on the sidewalk between the track at Kellogg Field and Scolinos Field near Parking Lot B.

Professors Ed Walton, Faye Wachs and Jill Adler-Moore are being recognized for their contributions to the university and academia with the second annual Provost's Awards for Excellence. The recipients have been bestowed with honors in the areas of teaching, service, and scholarly and creative activity, respectively.

"There is no doubt that these faculty members are among the finest at Cal Poly Pomona and in the CSU," says Provost Marten denBoer. "With their outstanding achievements in the classroom, in their profession, and in service to the campus and local community, they represent the very best of the university."

President Ortiz shares some good news in today's video message. The fifth annual Southern California Tasting & Auction, which was held on Sunday, attracted more than 800 guests who enjoyed food, wine, beer and auctions in support of the university. The event was held in the Rose Garden, and proceeds will support scholarships and other academic initiatives.

Provost denBoer announces the winners of the 2012 Provost's Awards for Excellence. The awards recognize outstanding faculty and were chosen from a rigorous and highly selective process. They awardees are: Chemistry Professor Ed Walton, Provost's Award for Teaching; sociology Professor Faye Wachs, Provost's Award for Service; and biological sciences Professor Jill Adler-Moore, Provost's Award for Scholarship and Creative Activity.