Cal Poly to recognize two with honorary degrees in June

POMONA - Cal Poly Pomona announced this week that the head of a family restaurant chain and an businessman will be awarded honorary doctorate degrees in June.

Pomona resident Richard N. Frank, chairman of Lawry's Restaurants. Inc. will be presented the degree June 14 during the 2009 graduation ceremony for Cal Poly's Collins College of Hospitality Management.

Fresno businessman and Cal Poly alumni Don Huntley of Huntley & Moore Farms will pick-up his degree June 13 during the graduation ceremony of the university's College of Agriculture.

Both men have been successful in their fields and made significant contributions to the university.

Frank is chairman of the family owned and award winning restaurants Lawry's Restaurants, Inc. which includes Lawry's The Prime Rib in Beverly Hills, Chicago, Dallas and Las Vegas and other establishments.

Frank served as president and chief executive officer of Lawry's Foods, Inc. producers of about 100 products including Lawry's Seasoned Salt., the best selling formulated seasoning in the country, according to university statement.

At Cal Poly Frank has been a long time support of the Collins College who in 1988 established and endowed lectureship series that gives students an opportunity to come in contact with leaders of hospitality management.

Huntley is a successful farmer, businessman and art collector.

Huntley graduated in 1960 with a degree in animal husbandry. After graduating he worked in animal health sales before going into the farming and later starting a career in the agricultural and recreational land sales.

A pistachio farmer since 1982, Huntley's product is sold through Williams-Sonoma.
Huntley's contributions to the university include donating eight paints that came from his fine art collection, a university statement said.

He has also provided funding to the College of Science and the College of Agriculture for research initiatives.