Live It, Protect It, Explore It!

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FROM MY LITTLE WOODEN DESK...

By Dr. Bill Hendricks, Department Head

Since first arriving on the Cal Poly campus in 1994, I have been amazed at the rich lives that RPTA students lead and their willingness to get involved with co-curricular activities. They truly embody Cal Poly’s learn by doing philosophy and they often go the extra mile to maximize the benefits of the “college experience.” Recently, Cal Poly has embraced co-curricular experiences in a more formal manner, with the explicit recognition that these activities are an essential element of growth as an individual and as a component of student learning outcomes. In this issue of "The Report" several of these activities are highlighted. RPTA student involvement includes serving on professional conference planning committees, coordinating our annual RPTA auction and benefit fundraiser, testing one’s limits in outdoor settings, dreaming big to land the ultimate internship, attending conferences, and serving and mentoring others both on and off campus.

At a recent meeting attended by Cal Poly’s new chief administrator, President Jeffrey Armstrong, a portion of the discussion evolved around the sense of place and attachment that makes Cal Poly an institution of distinction. There was some consensus that Cal Poly is a unique community and that the units within Cal Poly such as a college or department are like a family. You will read in this newsletter about our wide-ranging sense of family. In fact, please join me in congratulating RPTA alumni Bart and Cassie on their commitment to spend their lives together.

We consider students, faculty, emeritus faculty, staff, parents, industry professionals, and alumni as a part of our extended family. There really is no other industry that exemplifies the characteristics of a healthy family and community in everything it does. What other profession can advocate taking your family to a park, going to a ball game, treating yourself to a healthy meal, staying in an exotic destination, coaching youth sports, protecting special places, and attending a festival in your community as elements of its very core? RPTA simply celebrates family, service, healthy lifestyles, sustainable communities, special places, personal growth, and life-enhancing experiences.

So, since you are all a part of our family and we want to hear about your experiences, don’t forget as my dad always said, “keep those cards and letters (emails) coming.”

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