Donald Tanklage

Honorary Degrees
 
 

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California State University, San Luis Obispo​

Mr. Donald Tanklage and Mrs. Carole Tanklage will be remembered as generous supporters of, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, including efforts to help end student homelessness. After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in architectural engineering, Mr. Tanklage served in the United States Army and then took a position with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. With dreams of working for himself, the couple founded Tanklage Construction Co. and later, the Donald B. Tanklage and Carole F. Tanklage Foundation. The foundation supports numerous charitable and educational projects and organizations in Central and Northern California.

Initially inspired by her late husband’s time at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Mrs. Tanklage began funding scholarships for students in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, from which her husband graduated in 1957 and to which he attributed much of his success. His senior project, a geodesic dome, still can be seen on the campus. It was once the largest dome of its kind west of the Mississippi. The dome represents Mr. Tanklage’s larger than life personality and dedication to helping students succeed against all odds.

Mrs. Tanklage became increasingly involved in ensuring that all Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students receive the support they need to graduate. Upon learning that student homelessness was a growing problem, she ​was inspired to help and established the Tanklage Family Initiative to End Student Homelessness at Cal Poly Fund. The fund would provide emergency grants for eligible students who are unable to afford necessities, including housing, that are critical to their academic success and well-being. As a result of her generosity, Mrs. Tanklage helped house more than 150 students who were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. She understood the importance of students having safe, secure and permanent housing in order to be successful. She left a multimillion-dollar gift in her estate to ensure that this program can continue in perpetuity. Her generosity will allow Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to support and retain at-risk students so they can persist to graduation. The Tanklages also have provided annual support for the Don Tanklage Scholarship.

In recognition of their generous and transformative support of homeless students, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo are proud to confer upon Donald Tanklage and Carole Tanklage the posthumous honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.