Cal Poly Celebrates Groundbreaking of Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Success Center
Contact: Matt Lazier
805-756-7109; mlazier@calpoly.edu
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly celebrated the groundbreaking of the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Success Center on Thursday, Nov. 13, marking the start of construction on a transformative new facility designed to expand student support and connect students to the resources they need to thrive.
“The Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Success Center will serve as a hub for student achievement, helping every Mustang find their place, purpose and pathway to success,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong.
Located on campus at the corner of North Perimeter Road and Village Drive, the 36,000-square-foot, three-story facility will be named after global philanthropists and entrepreneurs Lynda and Stewart Resnick, co-owners of The Wonderful Company. The naming honors The Wonderful Company’s $20 million lead gift to the center and the Resnicks’ decades-long commitment to empowering students through education in California’s Central Valley.
The new center will foster student success with a specific focus on career readiness by bringing together Career Services, counseling, advising and several student programs in one location. In conjunction with Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy, this expanded professional development center will equip students to lead, collaborate and create positive change in their communities and beyond.
“This center will offer the shared spaces and resources students need to grow personally, prepare professionally and make the most of their Cal Poly experience,” said Terrance Harris, vice president for strategic enrollment and student affairs.
The facility will include flexible multipurpose rooms for classes, meetings and events, along with open lounges and outdoor areas designed for all students to encourage connection and engagement. It will also house spaces for student advising, career counseling and programs that support student success, including Wonderful’s College Scholarship Program.
“As a proud Cal Poly alum, I know firsthand how the university’s Learn by Doing philosophy shapes leaders who make a difference,” said Andy Anzaldo (Agricultural Business, ’98), chief operating officer of corporate social responsibility at The Wonderful Company. “The Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Success Center will continue that legacy by transforming the student experience through an innovative space where access to resources, mentorship and community will abound — providing students with the tools, support and inspiration to thrive long after graduation.”
The Resnicks have long focused their philanthropy on creating opportunities in California’s Central Valley, investing in programs that elevate education, strengthen communities and advance health and wellness. The Resnicks, their foundations and The Wonderful Company have supported first-generation students on their journey to higher education with scholarships of up to $40,000, along with mentorship and tutoring support with dedicated coaches, equipping students with the tools to succeed.
To date, 3,500 students have received the scholarship, including 130 current Cal Poly students — among them Anthony Barboza, who spoke at the groundbreaking event.
“Receiving a Wonderful scholarship has changed my life,” said Barboza, who is pursuing a degree in agricultural business at Cal Poly. “It’s allowed me to focus on my education without worrying about how I would afford college.
“I’m deeply thankful to the Resnicks for believing in students like me and helping us build brighter futures. Seeing this new center take shape gives me hope for future students who will benefit from its opportunities.”
About The Wonderful Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility
The Wonderful Company and its co-owners, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, have a long-standing commitment to investing in the communities where their employees live and work, especially in California’s Central Valley, which is home to 3,000 employees. The Resnicks, along with their foundations and The Wonderful Company, have invested more than $2.5 billion in education, health and wellness, community development, and sustainability initiatives across the Central Valley, Fiji, and the world. To learn more about The Wonderful Company and its core values, visit csr.wonderful.com.
About Cal Poly
Cal Poly is a nationally ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year about 23,000 students come to Cal Poly to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in areas such as engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on approach, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates Ready Day One to impact their communities, California and the world. Visit www.calpoly.edu.
Top Photo:
From left: Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong; agricultural business student and Wonderful College Scholarship recipient Anthony Barboza; Chief Operating Officer of Corporate Social Responsibility at The Wonderful Company, Andy Anzaldo (Agricultural Business, '98); and Cal Poly Vice President for Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs Terrance Harris at the groundbreaking for the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Success Center. Said President Armstrong: The "Success Center will serve as a hub for student achievement, helping every Mustang find their place, purpose and pathway to success.”
Photo by Chris Leschinsky, courtesy of Cal Poly
