For Lane and Jane Karney, graduation was just the beginning of their connection to Cal Poly.

After just three years of being off campus, Jane (Agricultural Communication, '20) accepted a job as a part-time lecturer in the Agricultural Education and Communications Department in January of 2023 and will be teaching AGC 452 this fall quarter. Her husband Lane (Agricultural Communication, '15) is also a professor and taught two courses for the Agricultural Education and Communications Department in the spring quarter of 2023.

It was a busy spring for the couple — in March 2023, they welcomed their first child, just a week after the end of Jane's first quarter of teaching.

Jane says she loves being able to stay connected to campus.  

 

"As an alum who stayed close to San Luis Obispo, I enjoy going to Cal Poly baseball games with my family, donating our bar-style renovated horse trailer to be used at Cal Poly events throughout the year and supporting the Cal Poly rodeo team."

After graduation, the former Miss Cal Poly Rodeo Queen pursued her master's degree (MAgEd, '21) while continuing to be a member and assistant coach of the Cal Poly rodeo team.

In 2021, she and Lane moved to his family's ranch in Creston, Calif., married, and opened a real estate office, Stable Properties. The two met at a legendary establishment in the SLO nightlife scene that some Mustangs might remember.  

"Lane and I met for the first time at Bull's Tavern when a mutual friend set us up without either of us knowing," Jane said. "We've been Lane and Jane ever since!"

When she thinks of her time as a student at Cal Poly, Jane said she is especially thankful for the friendships and connections she made.

"My two best friends came into my life because of Cal Poly, and I am so grateful for them and everyone else I met," she said. "It is such a short time frame of life where you live with or near your best friends, I cherish those memories with all my friends!" 

Lane and I met for the first time at Bull’s Tavern when a mutual friend set us up without either of us knowing…we have been Lane & Jane ever since!

Jane Karney

Agricultural Communication,'20

Now, as a member of the faculty, Jane's advice to students is to enjoy their time at Cal Poly and try to make the most of their college experience the same way that she did.  

"Soak it in." she said. "Four or five years go by so fast. Go to the game. Join the club. Build relationships with your professors. Make friends with your classmates. There will never be another time in your life that you will have the opportunities that you have while at Cal Poly. Jump on them and don’t be afraid to fail."