Earn by Doing Endowment
Learn by Doing is the hallmark of Cal Poly and Teri and I are inspired to support students to gain hands-on technical and leadership skills so they can have an immediate and lasting impact on the food and agriculture industries in California and beyond.— Andrew Thulin
Andrew Thulin, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES), will retire from the university at the end of 2023 after more than 25 years of service. A Cal Poly alum, he joined CAFES in 1998 as head of its Animal Science Department and has led the college for the last 10 years. In that time, he worked to ensure the college is continuously poised to prepare future generations of students in sustainable agriculture practices that will build long-term food safety and security, environmental sustainability and climate-smart agricultural systems.
During his tenure, more than $230 million was raised for numerous new laboratories and the construction of a new Beef Center, Animal Nutrition Center, J & G Lau Meat Processing Center, Oppenheimer Family Equine Center, Boswell Ag Tech Center in the William and Linda Frost Center for Research and Innovation and the $22 million JUSTIN and J. LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture. All projects were built to reflect Thulin’s vision of offering advanced technologies to provide students with the hands-on experience needed to succeed and thrive in industry.
To honor Dean Thulin’s legacy of leadership and his commitment to providing students with hands-on experience in the college’s food and agriculture units, the college – with support from advisory council leaders, alumni, donors and friends – seeks to establish a named $3 million endowed fund in support of the Earn by Doing Internship Program.
The Earn by Doing Internship Program is an opportunity for students to gain paid work experience at one or more of the college’s on-campus food and agricultural production units or departments. The program allows students to work part-time, up to 20 hours per week, gaining technical and leadership skills in positions related to their chosen careers. During a typical school year, more than 400 students participate in the program, but only when budgets permit, and as a result, most units are often understaffed.
As Cal Poly alums and parents, Andy and Teri know firsthand the value of a Cal Poly education and providing students with hands-on learning opportunities. Creating an Earn by Doing endowment in their names will honor their legacy and enduring commitment to student academic and professional success in the food and agriculture industries.
To learn more about how you or your company can make a gift or pledge toward the Andrew and Teri Thulin Earn by Doing Endowment, please contact a member of the CAFES Advancement team today.
| Russ Kabaker, Assistant Dean | rkabaker@calpoly.edu |
| Tim Northrop, Senior Development Director | tnorthro@calpoly.edu |
| Erica Nordby, Director of Development | nordby@calpoly.edu |
| Abby McCullough, Director of Development | ammccull@calpoly.edu |
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