125 Years and Still Moving Forward

The Last Word

125 Years and
Still Moving Forward

President Jeffrey D. Armstrong is confident the best is yet to come.

By President Jeffrey D. Armstrong
Photo by Joe Johnston

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President Jeffrey D. Armstrong shakes hands with students during a campus event celebrating Cal Poly’s 125th anniversary.

This year, Cal Poly marks its 125th anniversary — a milestone that invites us to celebrate how far we’ve come and to imagine where we’re headed next. For more than a century, our students, faculty, staff and alumni have built something truly uncommon: a university where learning isn’t a spectator sport, but a hands-on pursuit. Learn by Doing is more than a philosophy; it’s woven into our DNA.

As we honor 125 years, I want to recognize our alumni, whose drive and impact continue to set the standard for current students. You are out in the world building companies, shaping policy, advancing discovery and leading communities. Football legend John Madden, entrepreneur Aaron Peckham, journalist Laura Diaz, baseball player Ozzie “Wizard of Oz” Smith and aviation pioneer Burt Rutan — among so many others — are clear proof of what a Cal Poly education can unleash.

But an anniversary is not only a moment to look back; it’s also a chance to look forward. This is our opportunity to envision a new era defined by emerging technologies, bold partnerships and inventive ways of preparing students to lead in an increasingly complex world.

A key step in this evolution is our integration with the Cal Poly Maritime Academy. Faculty and staff across both campuses are aligning programs, strengthening experiential learning and opening pathways in fields that reflect California’s economic and global priorities. We are especially eager for the arrival of the new Training Ship Golden State — a floating laboratory that will dramatically expand Learn by Doing opportunities for generations of students.

Our next century will be defined by the same spirit that shaped our first: bold ideas, an unwavering commitment to excellence, and a resolute focus on students.

President Jeffrey D. Armstrong

We are also accelerating our leadership in artificial intelligence. Our partnership with NVIDIA to build an AI Factory will provide some of the most advanced computing resources in higher education, ensuring our graduates not only understand AI but know how to use it thoughtfully and responsibly. It’s the kind of forward-looking investment that keeps Cal Poly — and our alumni — ahead of the curve.

This fall, after years of intentional planning, we will take another major step forward by transitioning to a semester schedule. Aligning with most universities nationwide will open clearer pathways to internships, co-ops and full-time career opportunities, and it will smooth the transfer process for countless students. Faculty embraced this moment to reimagine Cal Poly’s curriculum, sharpening its relevance to emerging industries and workforce needs.

Our physical campus is rising to meet the scale of our ambition as well. From modern new residence halls to the John Madden Football Center and the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Success Center, we are creating dynamic spaces where students can learn, collaborate and thrive. If it has been a while since your last visit, I encourage you to come see how we’re growing.

None of these efforts — our integration with the Cal Poly Maritime Academy, the transition to semesters, investments in AI innovation and new facilities — stand alone. Together, they empower us to fulfill our vision to be the nation’s premier comprehensive polytechnic university.

And we are not slowing down. Like NASA astronaut Victor Glover who took Cal Poly to the moon and back, we will continue to evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. Our next century will be defined by the same spirit that shaped our first: bold ideas, an unwavering commitment to excellence, and a resolute focus on students.

Go Mustangs!

Jeffrey D. Armstrong

President