May 2, 2025
Veteran Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, who served nearly four decades in public office before retiring in January, will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½'s commencement May 18. She will be honored and speak at the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences ceremony at 8 a.m. Throughout her career, Napolitano was a fierce advocate for her constituents and communities, with strong support for education and Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, including helping secure $55 million over five years to advance the university's educational partnership with the Air Force Research Lab. As the first Latina councilwoman in Norwalk who later rose to Congress, her journey from Ford Motor Co. secretary to influential lawmaker exemplifies her guiding philosophy: "Keep your priorities straight. Stick to your values and don't waver." Read the full article to learn more about Napolitano's remarkable career and contributions.