Warren J. Baker, Cal Poly’s president emeritus, died October 7. He was 84.
Under his guidance, Cal Poly became a truly comprehensive polytechnic university, renowned for its scientific, engineering, technical, agricultural and the built-environment curriculum, as well as for distinctive offerings in business and the liberal arts. He served as Cal Poly president for 31 years, from 1979 to 2010.
Baker oversaw approximately $1 billion in new facilities and renovations that transformed the physical campus. Among other projects, he crafted a partnership involving the university, the City of San Luis Obispo, and the newly-formed Foundation for the Performing Arts Center.
In 1996 the PAC became a major entertainment hub for national and international performers while providing venues for student and local musicians, singers, dancers and actors.
Baker’s family requests that donations in his honor be made to the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center.