Event Program & Schedule

Artists & Performers

Friday, May 1, 2026

Marching Lumberjacks 

Library Main Entrance • 1:30pm - 2pm

The Marching Lumberjacks are a student run organization and have been so for 58 years. We accept and welcome everyone to join, regardless of musical background. The Marching Lumberjacks travel all throughout California for parades and events, always bringing a fun time to our fans.

Humboldt Sculpture Walk

Library Nordstrom Lobby, Library 1st Floor • Guided tours are scheduled at 12pm and 5pm. Please meet in the Library Nordstrom Lobby.

The Cal Poly Humboldt Sculpture Walk will take you on a journey through the Library, with pieces displayed in various locations appropriate for each work. You'll discover an abundance of high-quality art created on our campus. This annual Cal Poly Humboldt Sculpture Walk showcases the wide variety of artwork produced by the Cal Poly Humboldt Sculpture program. It usually occurs from April to May, concluding with commencement. Guided tours are at 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm, coordinated by Sondra Schwetman, Cal Poly Humboldt Sculpture Lab. Tour groups meet in the Library Nordstrom Lobby (1st Floor).

Dance Performances

West Windows, Library 2nd Floor • 2pm - 2:30pm

The Cal Poly Humboldt Dance Program will showcase a diverse array of works created for both classes and concerts, featuring a range of styles.

Musical Performances

Library Nordstrom Lobby, 1st Floor • 2pm - 4pm

Enjoy music student soloists and small ensembles performing a wide variety of music in the Library Lobby. View the full Music Program.

Art Gallery Tours

Reese Bullen Gallery, Art B • Guided walks to Reese Bullen are scheduled at 2pm, 2:30pm, 3pm, and 3:30pm. Please meet in the Library Nordstrom Lobby

2026 Art Graduates Exhibition opens April 22 and runs through May 16. This exhibition showcases the achievements of Cal Poly Humboldt’s graduating Art majors. Featuring a broad range of forms and styles, and influences. Students work in a range of media concentrations within ceramics, painting, photography, printmaking, small metals, sculpture and digital arts.

Pelican Bay Communication Student Presentations

Library Learning Lab, Room 308, 3rd Floor • 2pm - 4pm

Participants will have the chance to see the posters and hear the lightning research presentations from students at Pelican Bay State Prison. You will get the chance to talk with 29 Cal Poly Humboldt juniors and seniors inside Pelican Bay as they share their research from the Spring 2026 semester. Students will present posters from Geology 303: Environmental Geology and Communication 432: Critical Cultural Communication.  In addition to the poster sessions we are pleased to provide a space for casual discussion with the student researchers through a second video link. All are welcome and attendance at this event underscores the opportunity to connect with Cal Poly Humboldt seniors and juniors who would otherwise not be easily heard.  

Maker & New Media Showcase

Library Makerspace, Library Room 205,  2nd Floor • 2pm - 4pm

2pm - 3pm: New Media Showcase

3pm - 4pm: Maker Showcase

The ideaFest Maker & New Media Showcase highlights a diverse array of projects from students across disciplines, working with a variety of media, including film, crafts or art with maker elements (e.g. knitting or sewing), digital media projects (video, audio, graphics, coding, etc.), 3D models/printed objects, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and other physical and digital projects.

Presentations share the students’ process, including their inspiration, research, how-tos, lessons learned, and their maker statements.

The showcase is hosted in and around the Makerspace, which provides space, resources, and support for students to make projects that connect with their coursework, hobbies, and creative self-expression. The Makerspace is also a place for collaboration and social learning, where varied interests and experiences intersect.

3pm - 4pm: Multimodal Literacy in the Age of AI

The First-year Composition and Rhetoric students at Cal Poly Humboldt will showcase digital multimodal projects including videos, podcasts, zines, websites, and more. Coordinated by Erin Sullivan, English Department.

All projects will be available to view for the duration of ideaFest. 

CIRM Bridges Scholars Lightning Talks

Library Fishbowl, Library Room 209,  2nd Floor • 3pm - 5pm

CIRM Bridges Scholars in our Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine Certificate Program will present their research from their internships in 10 minute lightning talks on Regenerative Medicine.

Flight, Fire, & Digital Dissection Simulation Demos

Hall of Simulation, Library 2nd Floor • 3pm - 5pm

Discover the Hall of Simulation, an exciting new space on the 2nd floor of the Library designed to ignite curiosity and inspire hands-on learning! Fly high in a cutting-edge FAA flight simulator, battle fires on a Simtable, or explore digital dissection tables featuring human and animal anatomy. Shape landscapes with the augmented reality sandbox and dive into immersive adventures that transform how we learn. Simulation-based learning enhances problem-solving, knowledge retention, and understanding of complex concepts. The Hall of Simulation also features a dynamic digital wall for exploring and visualizing data collaboratively. Step into a world of possibilities where simulation technology brings learning to life!

Film Screenings 

The Studio, Library Room 120 • 4pm - 5pm

Experience a dynamic showcase of bold, thought-provoking, and visually stunning short films from Cal Poly Humboldt’s Art + Film students. These works highlight the creative, technical, and storytelling talents of our emerging filmmakers as they progress through our rigorous Filmmaking I-IV courses and specialized Film electives. Spanning narrative, documentary, and experimental genres, these films explore personal visions, urgent social issues, and imaginative new worlds. Each piece is a testament to the passion, innovation, and dedication of our students. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the next generation of storytellers in action!

Math & Data Science Showcase

Library Learning Lab, Room 308, 3rd Floor • 4pm - 5pm

Join students from the Mathematics and Data Science programs as they present work spanning pure and applied mathematics and data-driven research.  Mathematics and data science offer a powerful lens for understanding the world and turning raw information into action. 

Many projects embody our data science program's guiding belief of  using "Data for Good," applying quantitative methods to pressing social and environmental problems in our community and beyond. Come see the next generation of mathematicians and data scientists in action!

Transfer Student Showcase

CTL Classroom, Room 317, 3rd Floor • 4pm - 5pm

The Transfer Student Showcase is an opportunity featuring successful transfer students who will share their research experiences, challenges, and successes. It will provide valuable insight and inspiration to incoming transfer students, empower transfer students to actively engage in research, and connect with faculty mentors.

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Nursing Intensive

Cal Poly Humboldt Authors Hall, Library, 2nd Floor • 2pm -4pm

2pm - 3pm: From Special Operations to Public Health: Building a Workforce for Complex Health Challenges, Presenter: Dr. Mark Riddle, MD, DrPH

1. Describe the major components of public health practice, research (innovation), and policy (“3 P’s”) and explain how they interact to influence population health outcomes.
2. Interpret key public health data concepts (e.g., burden of disease, DALYs, and gaps between funding and need) and discuss their implications for prioritizing healthcare interventions.
3. Examine the necessary skills of the public health workforce—including nurses—in addressing complex health challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration, leadership, and systems thinking.

3pm - 4pm: Senior Nursing Student Capstone Poster Presentations

1. Identify emerging trends among patient populations
2. Discuss the role of nurses in leadership and quality improvement
3. Analyze evidence-based interventions to enhance health outcomes

Schedule of Events

Friday, May 1, 2026

Saturday, May 2, 2026