1968: Inauguration

Following the retirement of President Julian A. McPhee in 1966, Vice President Kennedy was appointed to the Cal Poly presidency. His inauguration on April 3, 1968 was the first inauguration of a college president at California State Polytechnic College. Kennedy and 465 others, including Governor Ronald Reagan, the California State Colleges Board of Trustees, the Cal Poly faculty, and representative from 133 colleges and universities, marched in the procession in full academic regalia.

Reagan, who also served as president of the trustees, delivered an inaugural address, in which he stated: "Higher education in contemporary America has a sacred obligation to instill not only learning, but attitudes toward growth and learning that in turn will shape society."

Newsclipping from the day Kennedy was inaugurated as Cal Poly President with Governor Reagan giving an address.

All photos courtesy of University Archives, Cal Poly.

Next: Presidential Successes

1967 – 1978: College to university, School of Architecture, new buildings, and reaching out to groups and community.
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