Dear CLA Alumni,

You are well aware of the value of a Cal Poly education. As our alumni continue their remarkable record of achievement, the university also adds to its list of national recognitions; this year is no exception. Here are just a few of the awards Cal Poly added to its record of achievement this year:

• Ranked as one of the “Best Colleges” for overall value among four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. by Money Magazine
• Identified as the best public-master’s university in the West by U.S. News and World Report (for the 22^ndconsecutive year)
• Ranked 13th in the nation, and among the top three in the state, for median salaries among public-university bachelor’s degree recipients by Payscale.com
• Rated seventh in the nation for return on investment among public universities by Payscale.com

We believe that these rankings are a direct result of the Cal Poly Learn by Doing teaching philosophy, as well as our outstanding faculty and staff members.

In this issue of the Link, I invite you to read about some of the exciting Learn by Doing opportunities our students have experienced — including a once-in-a-lifetime research opportunity in Fiji, a graphic communication collaboration with NASA, and the largest Mustang Marching Band in Cal Poly history.

Additionally, our faculty members bring their own research, creative productions, and professional experiences into the classroom to promote student learning. Two examples presented in this issue of the Link are Al Schnupp’s (Theatre & Dance) development of a play on the life of activist Ivy Bottini and Denise Sheridan’s (Ethnic Studies) experiences in apartheid South Africa, which inspired her quilt design commemorating Nelson Mandela.

We can’t wait to share more exciting Cal Poly news with you. Please stay in touch by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. And, as always, we want to hear what you’ve been doing — update us!

We wish you all the best in the New Year.

Doug Epperson