Historic Announcement on College Renaming!
Phil and tina Bailey in front of the baker center in may 2013. Phil was influential in the planning and development of the Baker center, which opened in fall 2013. photo by chris leschinsky
College of Science and Mathematics to be Renamed in Honor of Philip and Christina Bailey
MAY 5, 2023
BY NICK WILSON
UPDATE: Since the publication of this news story, the CSU Board of Trustees approved the naming of the Philip and Christina Bailey College of Science and Mathematics – California Polytechnic State University. This occurred on May 23, 2023, with unanimous action in favor of the naming.
Honoring the legacy of two longtime, devoted champions of Cal Poly and Learn by Doing education, the College of Science and Mathematics is being renamed.
On May 5, 2023, Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong announced the news that — pending CSU Trustee approval — the college will become the Philip and Christina Bailey College of Science and Mathematics.
The college’s renaming marks only the second time in Cal Poly history — after the Orfalea College of Business — that such an honor has been bestowed among Cal Poly's six academic colleges.
"We could think of no greater honor than to have our college named after Phil and Tina," said Dean Wendt, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. "This is a celebration of their decades of work to make this college and campus the incredible place that it is for students to learn and to grow and for faculty and staff to spend their careers."
We could think of no greater honor than to have our college named after Phil and Tina. This is a celebration of their decades of work to make this college and campus the incredible place that it is for students to learn and to grow and for faculty and staff to spend their careers.
Dean Wendt
Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. "
Phil and Tina Bailey served the university for multiple decades, fostering the success of Cal Poly students, establishing a culture of academic excellence, mentorship and inclusiveness.
Phil was hired as a Cal Poly chemistry faculty member in 1969 and then served as the college’s associate dean from 1973 to 1983 before his tenure as dean for 34 years from 1983 to 2017. Even during his roles as associate dean and dean, Phil continued teaching part time, a prime example of his dedication to supporting students.
Phil remains strongly committed to enhancing Cal Poly’s educational mission as a donor, Cal Poly Foundation board member, dean emeritus and director of the Frost Fund supported by alumnus Bill Frost and his wife Linda, who have been extremely generous and committed contributors to the college and university.
Phil Bailey’s influential roles in the planning and development of the Warren J. Baker Center for Science and Mathematics and the new William and Linda Frost Center for Research and Innovation were instrumental in making these transformational facilities a reality.
“It’s an incredible honor and it particularly means a lot since I’ve been here so long,” Phil Bailey said. "I don’t think I could have had the career that I had without Tina. I would suspect that she would have said the same about me, though her career was a lot harder to navigate than mine because she was a woman entering STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in the 1970s.”
Phil and Tina Baily often hosted "Magic Shows" with chemistry demonstrations. Photo from 2004.
Tina, who sadly passed away in July 2020, was one of only a few women faculty members in science programs when she began teaching at Cal Poly in the 1970s. Tina served as a longtime chemistry professor and department chair, garnered national recognition for her development of the studio classroom, received the university’s Distinguished Teaching Award, and was chair of the Academic Senate Curriculum Committee. Tina was an inspiration for women in STEM.
The Baileys strived to do all they could to help students graduate and they positively impacted thousands, a legacy that continues to inspire our campus community to this day, Wendt said.
“This momentous occasion is worthy of pride and celebration,” Wendt said. “Thank you for sharing in this wonderful news and for carrying on a tradition that the Baileys established to make the college a thriving and exceptional place for learning, discovery and innovation.”
Phil and Tina Bailey at the Frost Center (SATRC) groundbreaking ceremony on May 3, 2019.
