Cal Poly names new president

December 15, 2010

Cal Poly has selected a new president after finishing a second national search.

In a statement released Wednesday morning by the university, officials announced that Jeffrey Armstrong, currently dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University was selected by the CSU Board of Trustees.

“Dr. Armstrong’s outstanding academic credentials, leadership abilities and strong grounding in agriculture and science will be tremendous assets to the university and the community as it moves forward,” said CSU Trustee Roberta Achtenberg, chair of the presidential search committee.  “His reputation for teaching excellence and commitment to student-centered learning are the right complements to Cal Poly’s learn-by-doing philosophy.”

Armstrong said he is “honored to join such an outstanding university and excited about engaging students, faculty and alumni to build on its strong foundation and create opportunities for the future.”

Warren Baker, who served as Cal Poly’s president for more than 30 years, stepped down in July.

Armstrong will assume the presidency on February 1, 2011.