Anonymous Alum Supports CENG During Poly Gives 2026 With $20,000 Matching Gift to SURP
Undergraduate research is widely recognized as a high-impact educational practice that enhances student learning, engagement and academic success.
“It gives students a good look at what the real world is like,” said Bridget Benson (Computer Engineering, ‘05), Associate Dean for Research and Assessment in Cal Poly’s College of Engineering (CENG), who leads the college’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP).
During this year’s Poly Gives, April 9-11, 2026, an anonymous CENG alumnus will support the 2026 SURP with a $20,000 matching gift. The funds will provide more students with opportunities to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills through hands-on research and mentorship.
Benson explained why the program’s hands-on experience is especially valuable.
“Students are presented with a problem, and there's no predetermined assignment on how to solve it,” she said. “They must talk to people, read papers, research what others have done and try different approaches. That's applicable whether they want to move on to graduate school or industry, where projects are often open ended.”
The program is open to all Cal Poly undergraduates, with priority given to CENG undergraduates. Students review project descriptions and eight-week work plans provided by faculty and then apply to projects that align with their interests, rather than being randomly assigned.
Projects span a wide range of disciplines, depending on faculty research interests. For example, materials engineering faculty are looking at the next generation of batteries, civil engineering faculty are exploring improved seismic retrofits for buildings, and computer science faculty are developing AI tools.
SURP has grown in popularity over the past decade. The program launched with an initial 50 students and peaked last year with 130 participants, while more than 700 students applied. This summer, about 95 students will participate. With additional funding, the goal is to expand to 250 to 300 students each summer.
“About 95% of our program is funded by donors,” Benson said. “It gives students real-world, open-ended project experience that companies are looking for and a leg up for internships or graduate school. The 700 applicants last year show there is strong demand for this type of experience. We are eternally grateful to our donors, because we could not run this program otherwise.”
The donor credits Cal Poly for his professional success and wanted to pay it forward to the next generation of students exploring hands-on research.
“Cal Poly allowed me to be successful,” he said. “Giving back and helping today's new crop of students with the funds needed to investigate things that perhaps they know nothing about, that's good. There couldn't be a better example of Learn by Doing.”
Poly Gives 2026 raised over $835,000 from 1120 donors, thanks in part to generous matching gifts like this one. Thanks to everyone who helped support Poly Gives this year!
