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Campus and Community

Autumn in Action

Students play with a volleyball at the sunset at the beach.
Written By Robyn Kontra Tanner // Photos by Joe Johnston and Dylan Head

There’s something in the air this fall. The Cal Poly campus feels refreshingly alive.

Perhaps it’s the energy of our newest students — the most academically accomplished and most diverse incoming class in university history. Perhaps it’s that some hallmark events that are back in person for the first time in a long time, reinforcing a sense of community among Mustangs.

Whatever it is, 1 Grand Avenue's buzz has been felt by students, faculty and the community over the past few weeks. Take a peek at a few scenes from fall, including the lead image of students playing on the beach at sunset during Week of Welcome.

Move In and WOW

Thousands of new and returning students moved in to residence halls in mid-September.
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Thousands of new and returning students moved in to residence halls in mid-September.
Families and supporters filled bins with the essentails as new Mustangs made themselves at home.
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Families and supporters filled bins with the essentails as new Mustangs made themselves at home.
Hundreds of volunteers helped make the trek from parking areas to residence halls on a sunny day.
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Hundreds of volunteers helped make the trek from parking areas to residence halls on a sunny day.
Week of Welcome kicked off with students meeting their WOW groups and making new friends.
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Week of Welcome kicked off with students meeting their WOW groups and making new friends.
Each WOW group had a different number — and creative theme — proudly displayed on signs and costumes.
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Each WOW group had a different number — and creative theme — proudly displayed on signs and costumes.
Big Fall Welcome got the party started with performances from Mustang Band, Cheer and Dance teams in Spanos Stadium.
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Big Fall Welcome got the party started with performances from Mustang Band, Cheer and Dance teams in Spanos Stadium.
New Mustangs got to know traditions, like the Cal Poly fight song, thanks to performances from Cheer, Band and Dance teams.
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New Mustangs got to know traditions, like the Cal Poly fight song, thanks to performances from Cheer, Band and Dance teams.
Members of Mustang Band build a human tower at Big Fall Welcome.
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Members of Mustang Band build a human tower at Big Fall Welcome.
ASI President Gracie Babatola and Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong officially welcomed students.
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ASI President Gracie Babatola and Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong officially welcomed students.
Off campus, WOW groups get active by kayaking, canoing and sailing in Morro Bay.
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Off campus, WOW groups get active by kayaking, canoing and sailing in Morro Bay.
Some canoes could fit entire WOW groups, helping Mustangs build teamwork with new friends.
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Some canoes could fit entire WOW groups, helping Mustangs build teamwork with new friends.
Mustangs make new friends as the sun sets over the beach.
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Mustangs make new friends as the sun sets over the beach.
Beach bonfires have become a WOW tradition.
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Beach bonfires have become a WOW tradition.

Learn by Doing

Animal science lecturer Beth Reynolds, works with students to innoculate Cal Poly's goats and sheep with selenium and vitamin E booster shot in October.
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Animal science lecturer Beth Reynolds, works with students to innoculate Cal Poly's goats and sheep with selenium and vitamin E booster shot in October.
Students work together to administer medication to goats in a pen.
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Students work together to administer medication to goats in a pen.
For some in the animal science class, it was their first time learning to give shots to livestock.
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For some in the animal science class, it was their first time learning to give shots to livestock.
Students in the wine and viticulture progam sort grapes harvested from Trestle Vineyard on campus.
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Students in the wine and viticulture progam sort grapes harvested from Trestle Vineyard on campus.

This year's vitage is the first to be fully processed at the new Justin and J. Lohr Center for Wine and Viticulture.
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This year's vitage is the first to be fully processed at the new Justin and J. Lohr Center for Wine and Viticulture.
Professor Federico Casassa gathers students around tanks where grape juice will be fermented
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Professor Federico Casassa gathers students around tanks where grape juice will be fermented

More Fall Events

Faculty and staff kicked off the year at Fall Convocation, where dozens of employees, like civil engineering professor Anurag Pande, were honored for their scholarship, leadership and service to Cal Poly.
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Faculty and staff kicked off the year at Fall Convocation, where dozens of employees, like civil engineering professor Anurag Pande, were honored for their scholarship, leadership and service to Cal Poly.
Classes began on a rainy day, a rarity on the Central Coast. Mustangs took the wet weather in stride.
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Classes began on a rainy day, a rarity on the Central Coast. Mustangs took the wet weather in stride.
The Student Leadership Institute featured keynote speaker David Hogg, co-founder of March for our Lives.
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The Student Leadership Institute featured keynote speaker David Hogg, co-founder of March for our Lives.
In October, CultureFest brought together food, music and dance performances from dozens of cultural organizations on campus, including the Chinese Student Association's Take Out Kidz.
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In October, CultureFest brought together food, music and dance performances from dozens of cultural organizations on campus, including the Chinese Student Association's Take Out Kidz.
The Cal Poly Pier hosted its first open house in two years, welcoming community members to explore this unique research and teaching facility in Avila Beach.
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The Cal Poly Pier hosted its first open house in two years, welcoming community members to explore this unique research and teaching facility in Avila Beach.
To celebrate Día de los Muertos on November 1, students created ofrendas in UU Plaza for loved ones who have passed away.
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To celebrate Día de los Muertos on November 1, students created ofrendas in UU Plaza for loved ones who have passed away.

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