Dale, Class of '77 & Tina, Class of '85 Wong met at Cal Poly Pomona while building the Rose Float. That was in 1979 when Tina was a Freshman. Dale was a Grad Student and the Assistant Electronics Chairman. Both came to Cal Poly Pomona from nearby cities of Valinda and Rosemead. Tina had seen the Cal Poly Float on TV and thought it would be fun to get involved. As a student, Dale got involved when his friends said the float needed help with the animation electronics for the float and it got him hooked. Their first date was in January 1981 when Tina was installed as Club President and Dale as Float Committee Chairman. They have been involved in the Rose Float ever since.
Dale majored in Electrical Engineering Technology and Tina in Computer Information Systems. According to both, "CPP prepared us very well for successful careers." Dale initially worked nearby for General Dynamics Pomona Division (GD), designing and programing Test Systems for the Navy's Phalanx Close In Weapons System (CWIS) and Aegis Missile System. Tina worked in Fullerton for Hughes Aircraft as a Consultant & Programmer. She was a "Mainframe" problem solver and provide IT Security support for General Motors, Raytheon and finished her career as IT Security Manager at Computer Sciences Corp.
When GD was purchased by Raytheon and moved operations to Tucson, the Wong's didn't want to move. Dale subsequently worked for USC Information Sciences Institute in the Information Processing Center and was tasked for creating technologies for multi-point video-conferencing & streaming video with content sharing for distance learning. This was done in the early 2000's before the concept of distance learning as it is now known. It's not too much different from what CPP has used during the past year for instruction, distance learning, and staff meetings.
Rose Float has very much been a part of their lives ever since they started. Dale was involved with the first rebuild and expansion of the old lab building. He designed the new electrical system and taught and supervised the Rose Float student volunteers in the installation of the wiring for the new building. Most recently he was one of the two Rose Float Alumni on the New Rose Float Lab Project Committee. They were tasked with reviewing the many proposals submitted by the potential architects and helped in selecting the winning Bid. With over 40 years of Rose Float experience, Dale understands first-hand what it takes to build a float and its lab needs to be functional and practical.
They have been involved in float leadership and continue to help with the alumni side of float building. Through float building and camping, they have forged many lifelong friendships by traveling together on vacations, and attending many weddings and events. These friendships are an important part of the program's history.
When asked about their personal motivation for including a bequest to Cal Poly Pomona they both responded, "The Rose Float is one big family. Today's students are part of this big family. Cal Poly Pomona set us up for successful careers and introduced us to many of our relationships. We owe a lot to CPP & the Rose Float program. We want to give back for what CPP has provided to us and hope students will benefit from a similar experience."
