Fall quarter begins with a few long-standing traditions at Cal Poly even before classes start. Take in the sights of September on campus as another year of Learn by Doing gets underway. Photos by Joe Johnston.
On a warm September Saturday, move-in began for thousands of first-year students. Greeting them on Grand Avenue were swarms of enthusiastic Mustangs welcoming students to their new home.
Hundreds of volunteers, including alumni, faculty, students and staff, helped families unload all the residence hall necessities.
This year’s incoming students are the second class to call the new yakʔitʸutʸu residence halls home. Learn more about the Northern Chumash names of each building and their significance to the Central Coast community.
President Armstrong welcomed thousands of faculty and staff to the start of another academic year with Cal Poly’s annual Fall Convocation event. The event also honored outstanding educators and staff for their years of scholarship and service.
Before classes began, Cal Poly entrepreneurs took to the stage to pitch their businesses to investors and community members at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s annual Demo Day at the Fremont Theater. Learn more about the startup teams and the Summer Accelerator program that prepared them for the big day.
Back on campus, Week of Welcome (WOW) kicked off with thousands of new and transfer students meeting with their ecstatic WOW leaders for the very first time.
Big Fall Welcome in Spanos Stadium set the tone for a week of bonding, learning and exploring the Central Coast. Mustang Band, Stunt Team, President Armstrong and Paul “The Ripples Guy” Wesselmann brought the crowd to their feet.
WOW wouldn’t be complete without a few bonfires on Grover Beach! Watch a WOW group build a pathway to a beach bonfire for one of their members who uses a wheelchair.
Group 14 took one of many hikes to the P to appreciate the view. Check out a few facts about the P, which celebrates its 100th birthday this fall.
More groups ventured to Morro Bay for some kayaking and wildlife appreciation.
A few groups took part in a sunny Pismo Beach clean-up day.
Back on campus, students took in an acoustic concert and met new pals from Zoo to You.
WOW leaders and new students contributed to the “I Am Cal Poly” project to illustrate pride in the social identities that make them who they are. See the project in action on the Multicultural Center’s Facebook page.
Students let loose at “Inflate-a-Fest,” an obstacle course filled with slides and, of course, a mechanical bull.
The Cross Cultural Experience celebrated the conclusion of WOW with music in the UU. Learn how the program is helping students build a strong sense of community on campus.
The sun sets on another Week of Welcome at the Oceano Dunes.
