Authenticity Trumps Cynicism

Jim Cramer and Denise L. Lawrence at Cal Poly Pomona's Center for Regenerative Studies.

I recently found myself on the campus of Cal Poly Pomona, and it was there I had an opportunity to visit the ambitious John T. Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies. It is an interesting unit of the College of Environmental Design, which includes architecture, urban studies, landscape architecture, and art.

Here is a picture of me with Denise L. Lawrence, Ph.D., an anthropology professor who splits her time teaching architecture and regenerative studies. It’s a curious picture, and you may be wondering what it is we are doing out in the sun. In fact, we are admiring the harvest of the elephant garlic grown on campus. Quite the specimens!

But most important, Lawrence has a fascinating read on the future of the design professions, one that is worth heeding. She says we need to have positive expectations about the future — not just avoid the negative ones. She sees hope for the future because of the interest and actions taken by the students on campus and by the professional practices employing their graduates (firms like HMC located close by in Ontario, Calif).

Lawrence is not naive. Like most American universities, Cal Poly has had its share of setbacks. But she has a vision that has the capacity to change the course of events for the better. The Center for Regenerative Studies at Cal Poly Pomona is a highlight of the College of Environmental Design. (Watch  for an announcement regarding this and other highly admired programs in the July/August issue of DesignIntelligence, which focuses on sustainable design.)

Cal Poly Pomona an imperfect model, which is an authentic example of sorts because of how they have handled adversity. Success has not come easily. And while they are small, they can measure the benefits of the school in sophisticated ways — world-class ways. And this addresses the all-too-common cynicism on our college campuses today.