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1966 - 1967

Acting President Dale W. Andrews
Acting President Dale Andrews

Dale W. Andrews received his B.A. from the University of California, Davis in 1941 and his M.A. in agricultural education at Cal Poly in 1952.

Andrews joined the Cal Poly faculty in 1950 as an instructor in agricultural education. He is credited with establishing the annual Poly Royal buttons.

In 1960, Andrews was named Special Educational Services coordinator by President Julian McPhee. In 1966, he was appointed vice-president and then acting president when President McPhee retired. He was named executive vice-president in 1973. In 1979, he was once again named acting president following the retirement of President Robert E. Kennedy.

Cal Poly Directors (1902 - Present)

1902 - 1907
Director Leroy Anderson

Director Leroy Anderson

Anderson was instrumental in establishing and promoting the California Polytechnic.

1908 - 1914
Director Leroy Burns Smith

Director Leroy Burns Smith

Leroy Burns Smith helped bring Learn by Doing into the curriculum.

1914 - 1921
Director Robert Weir Ryder

Director Robert Weir Ryder

Ryder introduced numerous innovations into the Cal Poly curriculum.

1924
Interim President Margaret Chase

Interim President Margaret Chase

[1/01/1924] Margaret Chase was instrumental in attaining accreditation from the University of California.

1921-1924
President Nicholas Ricciardi

President Nicholas Ricciardi

Nicholas Ricciardi emphasized “vocational efficiency and efficient citizenship” of students.

1924 - 1933
President Benjamin Ray Crandall

President Benjamin Ray Crandall

1933 - 1966
President Julian McPhee

President Julian McPhee

[1/01/1933] McPhee helped Cal Poly evolve into a four-year college in the California State College system.

1966 - 1967
Acting President Dale Andrews

Acting President Dale W. Andrews

Andrews was appointed acting president when both McPhee and Kennedy retired.

1967 - 1979
President Robert E. Kennedy

President Robert E. Kennedy

[1/01/1967] Kennedy held numerous positions and served Cal Poly for decades.

1979 - 2010
President Warren Baker

President Warren J. Baker

[1/01/1979] Baker, a recognized leader in higher education, served Cal Poly for 31 years.

2010 - 2011
Robert Glidden

Interim President Robert Glidden

[1/01/2010] A former president of Ohio University, Glidden came out of retirement to serve as interim president.

2011 - Present
President Jeffrey D. Armstrong

President Jeffrey D. Armstrong

Armstrong is determined to enhance the University's renowned Learn by Doing teaching approach.