Animal Science Newsletter – Fall 2025

FROM THE DEPARTMENT HEAD

Welcome back to the Department of Animal Science! I chose “welcome back” since it has been a while since a departmental newsletter has been shared. You can rest assured that we have not been slacking. The department continues to grow in size and scope, while student demand to enter Cal Poly continues to increase. This past year we had over 2,000 students apply for entrance into the animal science and dairy science majors.  

As of July 2025, the college ushered in a new dean, Brian Horgan. In his brief time here Dean Horgan’s efforts and interest in the department, our programming and our students has been excellent and his leadership is greatly appreciated. 

We will be moving into the new Animal Health Center in early 2026. This facility adds an exceptional flexible lecture/lab classroom complete with a skeleton gallery. A new research lab will foster research efforts that include undergraduate and graduate students as research assistants and collaborators. Finally, Cal Poly will have a first-rate veterinary clinic that can support every aspect of veterinary medicine from pets to livestock, designed with an emphasis for learning opportunities for students. 

We are preparing for the transition from the quarter system to the semester system that will begin in fall 2026. The Learn by Doing approach is still at the forefront of teaching and the academic program.  

Our students, faculty and staff continue to amaze me with their dedication and striving for excellence on so many levels. 

Please enjoy reading the stories presented in this edition of the of the Animal Science Department newsletter. It represents just the tip of the iceberg of what is happening and what is on the horizon.

George R. Gallagher
Department Head

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences