DONOR PROFILE: Cal Poly Provost Kathleen Enz Finken

Swanton Pacific Ranch Endowment Upon her first visit to Swanton Pacific Ranch, Cal Poly Provost

about a vast number of topics, allowing them to get involved

the university’s Learn by Doing philosophy.

“It is very compelling to me because every college we have

Kathleen Enz Finken knew that it was a priceless attribute to

Like others who had visited before her, she was enchanted by the

breathtaking beauty of the ranch. However, it was the vast learning

opportunities it offers and model of excellent land stewardship that compelled Enz Finken and her husband, Gerald, to give. After consulting with Swanton Pacific Director Brian

Dietterick, the couple pledged a financial gift to hire a staff member to support the ranch’s operations. They are also

building an endowment over time that will assist with costs well into the future.

Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch, located along California’s scenic Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County, is a 3,800-acre

ecologically diverse living laboratory. The ranch, managed

has the opportunity to be active there. Whether studying land management, public policy, education or engineering — there is a way to get involved at Swanton Pacific Ranch.”

Educational opportunities available at the ranch extend

beyond the traditional classroom and offer hands-on lessons

in sustainable agriculture, timber harvesting, natural resource management, and riparian protection.

Enz Finken and her husband are passionate about land

management and environmental concerns. They also have close ties to agriculture. Enz Finken was raised on a New Jersey farm and worked the land alongside her family. The farm remains in their family today.

by the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences,

“It is a very beautiful place, and it holds deep meaning for us,”

of its lands, including cropland, redwood forest and grassland

resources and have preserved it to ensure that it will remain

is known as an ecological hotspot because of the biodiversity

for cattle grazing. It is used by hundreds of Cal Poly students

annually through internships, courses, field trips and research. “That variety makes it a wonderful place for students to learn 10

in projects and research from many angles,” said Enz Finken.

said Enz Finken. “We are invested in the stewardship of natural farmland forever.”

Enz Finken said she sees her financial support of Swanton

Pacific Ranch as a way to encourage similar actions by others.