Feature
125 Years of Learn by Doing
Look back at all that’s changed over Cal Poly’s 125 years — and how Learn by Doing has evolved through the decades.
Compiled by Robyn Kontra Tanner
Photos courtesy of University Archives
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The scale of Cal Poly’s History can make Mustangs of all generations feel inspired, proud — and maybe a little overwhelmed.
So much global, industrial, political and social change has occurred in the last century that the small vocational school founded in 1901 can seem completely unfamiliar compared to the advanced university that thrives today.
But don’t let the black-and-white photos, changing nomenclature and old buildings fool you. When you look closely, it’s clear that Mustangs have always had something special in common: a polytechnic education rooted in unforgettable Learn by Doing experiences. For more than a century, the university has adapted to serve our students and our state by finding bold, new ways to teach the head and the hand.
At this crossroads — when the university is on the doorstep of more exciting changes — explore our humble beginnings, our brave first steps and our learning experiences that continue to stand the test of time.
1901-1930: A New School Finds its Footing
The California Polytechnic School was founded as a co-ed vocational school with practical programs in agriculture, engineering and household arts that took three years to complete.
On campus, the Administration Building, dormitories, a creamery and student farms began to take shape. Eventually, the school added business-related courses, printing and aeronautics programs.
As World War I began, state legislation required military training for men. Enrollment dropped as students enlisted in the armed forces or participated in war relief projects. The school provided vocational education to hundreds of disabled war veterans as the conflict waned.
Toward the end of this era, drastic budget cuts reduced the number of classes — especially household arts courses popular with female students. In 1930, a legislative act barred women from attending Cal Poly.
By the end of the 1930 school year, total enrollment reached 407 students.
1930-1955: Becoming a College & Preparing for War
The outbreak of World War II spurred major — yet temporary — change: Cal Poly implemented war-preparedness training programs in industrial arts. The school served as state headquarters for the Food Production War Training Program, providing instruction to 120,000 California farmers. A U.S. Naval Flight Preparatory School on campus trained more than 3,600 cadets. By 1945, hundreds of veterans enrolled thanks to the G.I. Bill.
Around the same time, the State Board of Education granted collegiate status to the California Polytechnic School. In 1947, the name changed to California State Polytechnic College, and it began offering graduate programs in education soon after. Donors gave the school two properties in Southern California that become the Kellogg-Voorhis Unit specializing in equine and horticulture training. Eventually, the Kellogg land became the Cal Poly Pomona campus.
By the end of the 1955 school year, total enrollment reached 3,163 students.
1956-1979: Learn by Doing EXPERIENCES Take Root
Pressure from women in the community led Cal Poly to once again admit female students, invest in proper facilities and reintroduce programs in home economics, with courses in dietetics and nutrition, family studies, child development and textiles. The overall student population grew sharply, more than doubling between 1956 and 1966.
A burst of hands-on programs came to fruition in this era, including many beloved learning opportunities that shape the learning experience today. Academic units were organized — and reorganized into schools — as the university added programs from business to computers.
The Leaning Pine Arboretum began to grow on the north end of campus, and the University Union, Architecture and Fisher Science buildings opened their doors.
By the end of the 1979 school year, total enrollment reached 15,592 students.
1980-2001: A NEW CAMPUS AND ACADEMIC LANDSCAPE
President Warren J. Baker leveraged fundraising during this era to support capital projects and Learn by Doing opportunities. A host of new buildings redefined the campus experience, including Kennedy Library, the Advanced Technologies Laboratory, the Recreation Center, the Business Building, the Performing Arts Center, the Dairy Products Technology Center and the Poultry Center.
Academic programs were reorganized in 1986 and again in 1992, when they became the six colleges that exist today. The university’s spring showcase was reimagined as “Open House.”
In 1992, the university earned its first Best in the West ranking from U.S. News and World Report, which has continued every year since.
Total enrollment grew to 17,028 students.
2002-2026: CALIFORNIA IMPACT AND FUTURE-FOCUSED PROGRAMS
A variety of advanced academic buildings debuted during this phase under the leadership of Presidents Baker and Jeffrey D. Armstrong, including the Baker Center for Science and Mathematics, the JUSTIN and J. Lohr Center for Wine and Viticulture, the Plant Conservatory and the Bonderson Engineering Projects Center. New degree programs emerged in wine and viticulture, liberal arts and engineering studies, fire protection engineering and business analytics.
The university rallied around undergraduate research opportunities with summer research fellowships emerging across colleges. In 2017, alumnus William Frost and his wife, Linda, gave a record-setting $110-million gift to Cal Poly. Their contribution built the Frost Center for Research and Innovation, which opened in 2023, and named the College of Science and Mathematics after legendary educators Phillip and Christina Bailey.
More students began living on campus in this era thanks to the Cerro Vista apartments, Poly Canyon Village and the yakʔitʸutʸu residence halls. The Vista Grande Dining Complex, the expanded Recreation Center and the Welcome Center opened to support the campus community. Key programs and spaces also launched to bolster inclusion and belonging among all students, including PolyCultural Weekend and the Latinx/e Center for Academic Success and Achievement.
The campus community weathered the COVID-19 pandemic with virtual classes, regular testing and social distancing practices. In 2023, Cal Poly’s student body included more women than men for the first time.
Total enrollment grew to 23,245 students.
Our Next Chapter
Cal Poly is continuing its tradition of evolution with major opportunities for innovation on the horizon in the coming years.
The university is in the midst of academic and administrative integration with the former Cal Maritime Academy, a fellow California State University campus and the only maritime training institution granting U.S. Coast Guard licenses on the West Coast. The institution is now known as Cal Poly Maritime Academy. This summer, there will be one integrated set of academic offerings across the San Luis Obispo and Solano campuses.
This fall, students will trade in the quarter system for a new semester schedule that aligns with the rest of the CSU and other experiences like study abroad. Faculty and staff have been working collaboratively to review, convert and improve curriculum that will span 15-week terms.
Beginning in 2028, students in select high-demand programs will be able to attend any two of the three terms — fall, spring or summer — giving them flexibility to pursue hands-on experiences when it works best for them. This model supports deeper engagement with internships, co-ops and global learning.
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