Poly Timeline |
| 1901 |
On March 8 Governor Gage signs the California Polytechnic School Bill to furnish to young people of both sexes mental and manual training in the arts and sciences, including agriculture, mechanics, engineering, business methods, domestic economy and other branches as will fit the students for non-professional walks of life. Myron Angel, a local journalist, is the driving force behind the founding of the school. |
| 1902 |
In June, Leroy Anderson is appointed as the first Director of the school. |
| 1903 |
On January 31, the cornerstone for the Administration building is laid. The first Dormitory is built soon after the Administration Building. Land is designated for student farms and construction begins on farm buildings. |
| 1903 |
On September 30, the first classes are held. Total enrollment for the first year is 20 students. The California Polytechnic School offers secondary (high school) level Courses of Study, which takes three years to complete. |
| 1904-05 |
Enrollment rises to 52 students (40 men and 12 women). |
| 1904 |
In May the first Annual Farmerıs Institute and Basket Picnic is held. Members of the community are invited to the campus to see projects completed by students. |
| 1906 |
On June 15 the first commencement exercises are held with eight students receiving "certificates". |
| 1908 |
After serving as vice-director since 1907, Leroy Burns Smith is appointed Director of Cal Poly. |
| 1909 |
The first student Body association is formed to govern athletics, publications and social events. |
| 1913 |
The Annual Farmerıs Picnic is combined with the Decennial Celebration, with special trains scheduled to bring 3,000 visitors to the campus. |
| 1913 |
The time necessary to complete the Course of Study is lengthened from three years to four years. |
| 1914 |
In June Robert Weir Ryder is appointed Director. |
| 1916 |
An Academic Department from college preparatory work is added to the three original departments of Agriculture, Engineering/Mechanics and Household Arts. |
| 1916 |
Compulsory military training for men is instituted in response to state legislation. Military discipline and uniforms are required in the dormitories as well as the classrooms. |
| 1916 |
The
Polygram, the school newspaper, begins publication. The paper is issued every two weeks. |
| 1917-21 |
Enrollment drops as a result of World War I, while remaining students participate in war relief projects. 147 students join the armed forces. California Polytechnic School provides special education opportunities for several hundred disabled war veterans. |
| 1920 |
A Commercial Department is established to offer courses in bookkeeping, typing and advertising. |
| 1921 |
Nicholas Ricciardi is selected President by the Board of Trustees. |
| 1922 |
A four-year course of study in printing begins. |
| 1923 |
Drastic budget cuts force a reduction in the number of classes offered. Only classes in agriculture, mechanics and printing remain. Female students are admitted only to printing classes. |
| 1924 |
Margaret Chase, Vice President of the School, is appointed acting President for the remainder of the academic year after the resignation of Nicholas Ricciardi. |
| 1924 |
A committee of 15 local businessmen is formed to study the Schools objectives and direction. |
| 1924 |
Cal Poly is placed under direct control of the State Board of Education. |
| 1924 |
The San Luis Obispo Local Committee of 15 and the State Board of Education choose Benjamin R. Crandall as President. (Cal Polyıs first) |
| 1926 |
Classes in the Academic, Household Arts and Commercial Departments are restored. |
| 1927 |
The School adds a two-year Junior College Division to the Four-year secondary vocational program. Engineering/Mechanics is the principal course of study and Aeronautics is added to the Junior College Division. |
| 1929 |
Women students are barred from the entire School beginning in 1930. |
| 1931 |
The
Agriculture Department is transferred to the direct supervision of the State Bureau of Agricultural Education. Under direction of Bureau Chief Julian McPhee, the Polytechnic School becomes the state headquarters of Future Farmers of America and the centralized institution of training of vocational agricultural teachers. |
| 1933 |
The State Board of Education drastically reorganizes the school, abolishing the Junior College Division and the high school courses designed for university transfer. The mission of the School is changed to a two-year technical and vocational school. |
| 1933 |
The first Annual Poly Royal is sponsored by the Future Farmers of America. |
| 1935 |
The school receives funds from pari-mutuel betting at horse races held at county fairs throughout the state. |
| 1935 |
Amelia Earhart visits the campus. |
| 1938 |
The Voorhis Unit of California Polytechnic School is founded when a two-million dollar school and farm completely equipped were deeded to the School by Charles B. Voorhis of Pasadena and his son, Jerry Voorhis. |
| 1938 |
On September 4, after a six year hiatus, the school paper is published again. Formerly The Polygram, it is now entitled El Mustang. |
| 1940 |
The School is authorized to grant Bachelor of Arts degrees when a fourth year of instruction is mandated by the State Board of Education. |
| 1940-43 |
Cal Poly implements emergency training programs in industrial arts for special wartime jobs for men and women. |
| 1942 |
The first baccalaureate exercises are held. |
| 1943 |
The School serves as state headquarters for the Food Production War Training Program, providing instruction to more than 120,000 farmers. |
| 1945 |
Immediately after the war, enrollment expands to 800 students, primarily veterans. By 1949 there are 2,909 students enrolled, causing a major housing shortage on campus and in the community. |
| 1947 |
The California Polytechnic School is renamed the California State Polytechnic College and begins offering a fifth year of instruction in teacher education. |
| 1949 |
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation donates an 812-acre horse ranch in Pomona to the College, which is located about one mile from the Voorhis campus. By 1950 the joint operation of the two campuses is known as the Kellogg-Voorhis unit. |
| 1956 |
Female students are again admitted to the College after 27 years. |
| 1960 |
On October 29 a chartered plane carrying the Cal Poly football team crashes on takeoff at the Toledo, Ohio, airport. Twenty-two of the forty-eight persons aboard are killed, including sixteen players, the team's student manager, and a Cal Poly football booster. Twenty-two others are injured. |
| 1960 |
Control of Cal Poly and all other state colleges is transferred from the State Board of Education to an independent Board of Trustees. |
| 1963 |
The Computer Center is established. |
| 1966 |
On June 30 President McPhee retires. |
| 1966 |
The Kellogg-Voorhis campus at Pomona is split from Cal Poly and becomes a separate college. Enrollment reaches 7.739 students (2,086 women and 5,653 men). |
| 1967 |
On April 10 the campus newspaperıs name is changed to the Mustang Daily, although the paper is only published three times a week. |
| 1967 |
On May 1 Robert E. Kennedy is named President by the CSU Board of Trustees. |
| 1967 |
The
curriculum is reorganized into four units: School of Agriculture, School of Engineering, of Applied Arts, and School of Applied Sciences. Cal Poly is authorized to grant Master of Science degrees. |
| 1968 |
The School of Architecture is created. Fall quarter enrollment rises to 9,711 students (2,796 women and 6,915 men). |
| 1970 |
The curriculum is reorganized into seven units: School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, School of Architecture and Environmental Design, School of Business and Social Sciences, School of Communicative Arts and Humanities, School of Engineering and Technology, School of Human Development and Education, and School of Science and Mathematics. |
| 1971 |
Cal Polyıs official name is changed to California Polytechnic State University by the state legislature. |
| 1978 |
The Clyde P. Fisher Science Building is dedicated on July 28. |
| 1979 |
On February 1 President Kennedy retires. |
| 1979 |
Warren J. Baker is named President by the CSU Board of Trustees on May
22. |
| 1981 |
The Robert E. Kennedy Library opens on January 5. |
| 1986 |
The curriculum is reorganized into seven new units; School of Agriculture, School of Architecture and environmental Design, School of Business, School of Liberal Arts, School of Engineering, School of Professional Studies and Education, School of Science and Mathematics. |
| 1986 |
15,450 students are enrolled spring quarter (6,700 women and 8,750 men). |
Presidents Honor List |
| Jun 1902 - Dec 1907 |
Leroy Anderson (Agriculture) |
| Jan 1908 - Jun 1914 |
Leroy Burns Smith (Education)Jan 1908 - Jun 1914 |
| Jun 1914 - Jul 1921 |
Robert Weir Ryder (Engineering) |
| Jul 1921 - Feb 1924 |
Nicholas Ricciardi (Education) |
| Feb 1924 - Aug 1924 |
Margaret Chase (acting) |
| Sept 1924 - May 1933 |
Benjamin Ray Crandall |
| Jul 1933 - Jun 1966 |
Julian A. McPhee |
| 1966-1967 |
Dale W. Andrews (acting) |
| 1967-1979 |
Robert E. Kennedy |
| 1979 |
Dale W. Andrews (acting) |
| 1979 - Present |
Warren J. Baker |