California Polytechnic State University

SUMMARY

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is a public polytechnic university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. Founded in 1901, it is the oldest of the polytechnic institutions in the California State University system, widely known for its “learn by doing” philosophy — integrating practical, hands‑on experience with academic study — and offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and 50 graduate programmes across six colleges.

HISTORY

The founding of California Polytechnic State University, with its learn-by-doing philosophy, began when local journalist Myron Angel gathered a group of citizens in 1894 to lobby for a state school in San Luis Obispo. On March 8, 1901, Governor Gage signed legislation to establish the California Polytechnic School. On a visit to San Luis Obispo on May 9, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt praised the citizens for their support of the state school. The first classes met October 1, 1903.

Beginning as a co-educational vocational school during the Progressive Era, Cal Poly has become the country’s leading undergraduate university in the West. By the time Robert Weir Ryder was appointed director in 1914, students of the Polytechnic School had formed the first student body association, and the campus had celebrated the combination annual picnic and Decennial, bringing 3,000 visiting students back to campus. The Poly P, one of the oldest hillside initials in the West, has always been an important part of Cal Poly history, from its stone-and-lime origins in 1919 to the use of whitewashed barn doors by the Rally Club in the 1940s, to its present concrete form.

In response to state legislation, compulsory military training for men was instituted in 1915-16, and in 1917-19 enrollment dropped as students enlisted to fight in World War I. In 1930, the state legislature excluded women as students. Julian McPhee’s long and eventful presidency began in 1933 and the institution struggled to remain viable in the face of uncertain funding. In 1938, Cal Poly received its first million-dollar gift when Charles and Jerry Voorhis donated their Southern California ranch for use as a horticultural training center.

In preparation for World War II, Cal Poly’s Rosie the Riveter training programs were set in motion, and Navy pre-flight training began in 1942. After the war, Cal Poly expanded as World War II veterans enrolled under the G.I. Bill, with on-campus housing made available at the married student village, Vetville. In 1949, cereal magnate W. K. Kellogg donated his Arabian horse ranch to Cal Poly, and the Pomona campus came into being (now Cal Poly Pomona). In the same year, the San Luis Obispo and Pomona campuses combined forces to produce the first Cal Poly float for the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. In 1956, women were once again admitted as students at Cal Poly.

Cal Poly’s darkest hours were in the aftermath of the 1960 crash of the plane carrying the college’s football team. Sixteen Mustang football players, the student manager, a member of the Mustang Booster Club, and four others perished on October 29. Of the forty-eight persons aboard the chartered aircraft, another twenty-two were injured, some gravely. In 1966, after 33 years as Cal Poly’s leader, President McPhee retired. Robert E. Kennedy succeeded him, ushering in a period of remarkable growth and expansion. The arrival of President Warren J. Baker in 1979 continued the success of Cal Poly and its learn-by-doing philosophy. For the 2001 Centennial celebrations, the first book-length history of Cal Poly was created. Cal Poly: The First Hundred Years features 320 illustrations from all decades of campus life.

VISION

From its inception, the vision behind Cal Poly was shaped by Myron Angel’s belief that higher education in California should include practical skills, not just book learning. Angel and early supporters sought a polytechnic school where students would be equipped with tangible, career‑relevant skills — particularly in agriculture and mechanical trades — to serve the needs of the region. As the institution evolved, this founding vision was broadened: Cal Poly aimed to combine technical knowledge, creative thinking and applied problem‑solving. The guiding idea is that graduates should not only understand theory, but also be ready “day one” to contribute in industry, business, design or public service. This ethos is captured in the university’s motto: “Learn by Doing.”

TOP COURSES

Cal Poly’s MBA program develops business leaders who thrive in both technical and people-centered environments. The institute fosters independent, collaborative, and innovative thinkers through a supportive, intellectually rigorous setting. With a strong foundation in experiential learning, students sharpen skills and unlock their potential. Employers value the graduates for professionalism, adaptability, and forward-looking management mindset. Grounded in Cal Poly’s Learn-by-Doing philosophy, the program prepares students for a transition into impactful, real-world business leadership. The MBA Student Association offers leadership opportunities through its board, which organizes guest speakers, professional development events, and trips. The board also works closely with the MBA program director to support student priorities and enhance the overall student experience.

Economics Undergraduate program teaches students how to analyze human decision making and interaction while exposing them to research techniques, quantitative analysis and methods of policymaking. Economists conduct research, prepare reports, and evaluate issues related to monetary and fiscal policy. They also might collect and analyze statistical data. Economic majors gain a solid foundation in microeconomics and macroeconomics, and they take courses in calculus, computer programing, accounting, information systems and analytics. They also learn about topics that include supply and demand, taxation, competition, unemployment, inflation, international trade, interest rates and more. The economics faculty at the Orfalea College of Business have been published extensively in prestigious scholarly journals, and they are experts in both domestic and international economics. They also bring industry experience in business and government.

JOB INTEGRATION SERVICES

Cal Poly places strong emphasis on preparing students for careers. Its learn‑by‑doing approach ensures that students engage in practical work — labs, studios, internships, project‑based courses — giving them real-world experience that employers value. Cal Poly students and graduates are among the finest. In 2023, U.S. News & World Report named it both the most innovative school in the west and the top public school in the west. Students build portfolios, gain hands‑on skills and often work on client‑style projects — making them job‑ready at graduation. Cal Poly’s broad spectrum of programmes across engineering, business, design, agriculture and more — plus its reputation for practical skills — helps integration into jobs across industries.

REFERENCES

• ““SLO City Council kicks off process to change city limits for Cal Poly housing”. New Times. 
• “The Cal Poly Name | University Communications and Marketing”. ucm.calpoly.edu. 
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• “Highlights in the History of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo”. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. 
•  “HERstory: Women at Cal Poly, 1903–1930 Kennedy Library | Home”. Robert E. Kennedy Library – Cal Poly. 
• “California Polytechnic State University–San Luis Obispo Student Life”. U.S. News and World Report. 
•  The People’s University: A History of the California State University. Berkeley: Berkeley Public Policy Press.
• “Toledo Blade – Google News Archive Search”. news.google.com. 
• “Cal Poly Receives Historic $110 Million Gift from Alumnus William L. Frost” (URL). 
• “CSU Recommends Integrating Cal Maritime and Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo | CSU”. www.calstate.edu.
• “CSU Board of Trustees Approves Cal Maritime and Cal Poly Integration | Cal Poly”. www.calpoly.edu. 
• “Cal Poly Announces New Leadership for Solano Campus and Cal Poly Maritime Academy | University Communications and Marketing”. ucm.calpoly.edu. 
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• “Home”. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. 
• “California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo”. Forbes. 
• “Cal Poly Student Housing South”. Cal Poly. 
• “Baker Center Dedicated Nov. 1”. Cal Poly. 
• “Center for Science and Mathematics – College of Science and Mathematics”. Cal Poly.