Learn By Doing Fund 2016

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS of the Architectural Engineering
(ARCE) Department’s first phase of the Parents Learn by Doing
Fund, the department has embarked on a second iteration of this
valuable fund.

In the first campaign, Florian and Lori Barth, parents of Ian
Barth (ARCE, ’14) donated $50,000 to the department as a challenge
to other parents to match their contribution, dollar for dollar.
The department met that $100,000 goal last year and is using a
slightly different strategy to raise another $100,000.
Department Head Al Estes is seeking five parents to each
donate $10,000, with the remaining $50,000 coming from parents
and supporters contributing in whatever increments they can.
“The only purpose of the fund is to enhance the student
experience at Cal Poly,” Estes said. “So far, we have sent
students to present research at conferences, to compete in
national competitions, and to attend conferences, including
the annual meeting of the Structural Engineers Association
of California.”

The fund has also supported senior projects and master’s
theses and faculty creativity in the classroom. It has funded
awards, the Week of Welcome luncheon, and the ARCE new
freshmen T-shirts.

The first couple to contribute $10,000 is Samir and Madlyn
Rustagi, parents of recent graduate Dani Rustagi (ARCE, ’16).
Estes recognized the Rustagis in remarks during the ARCE
Department’s post-commencement ceremony and urged other
parents to contribute toward the $100,000 goal, which Estes
hopes to reach by next year’s graduation. In response, ARCE
parents Dan and Debra Hall, whose son Nate Hall (ARCE, ’16)
also graduated in spring, pledged the second $10,000.
“Nobody has a more vested interest in the program than
those who have entrusted us with their sons and daughters,”
Estes said.

Anyone interested in making a secure donation online can
visit www.arce.calpoly.edu/. For more information or to discuss
options, please contact the department at arce@calpoly.edu or
805-756-1314.