Cal Poly Graphic Communication Department Head Harvey Levenson Retires

Harvey Levenson, longtime professor and head of Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department, retired at the end of the academic year.

Levenson served as department head for 30 years, the longest continuous department head tenure in the history of Cal Poly. During that time, Cal Poly’s graphic communication program has become one of the largest and best-known programs of its kind in the nation and includes studies in printing, publishing, packaging, website development, Internet publishing, digital imaging, and related areas of graphic communication technology and management.

During Levenson’s tenure, the department built an industry support program that includes an advisory board of industry leaders from across the U.S.; an institute for industry research and testing, product evaluations and training; and a large endowment program.

While also heading the Graphic Communication Department, Levenson served as interim chair for the Journalism Department for two years and directed the Graphic Communication Institute for the past seven years. Levenson plans to maintain a presence on campus through part-time, continued oversight of the Graphic Communication Institute.

“It was an amazing 30 years that seemed to go by in a ‘mouse click,’” Levenson said. “The success we experienced could not have been realized without an ongoing great faculty and staff, super bright students and support from the Cal Poly administration and from industry. Cal Poly is a fantastic university with a hands-on, Learn by Doing teaching philosophy second to none.”

Professor Kenneth Macro will succeed Levenson. Macro joined Cal Poly in 2000 after serving in various capacities in the industry, including director of printing services at the University of Akron, ad production supervisor at Alltel Publishing and president of CopyBreak Inc. He teaches product development, marketing and production management.

Macro looks forward to his new role. “I am humbled to be selected by my colleagues to assist in transitioning Dr. Levenson’s legacy into a new and futuristic dimension,” he said. “Harvey has been an inspiring and diligent leader who has supported our endeavors with a warm heart and open arms. I aspire to carry on the legacy of greatness that he has brought to our department, our college, our university and our industry.”

To commemorate Levenson’s retirement and service, the Graphic Communication Department advisory board established the “Dr. Harvey R. Levenson Excellence in Graphic Communication Endowment.” The endowment will provide scholarships to deserving students and support continued department growth.