There were six other teams of competitors from Cal Poly, Reedley College, Modesto Jr. College, University Nevada Reno, Central Oregon Community College and University of California Berkeley. The team members competed in individual events and team events in the one-day competition held on Saturday starting at 7:30 a.m. and continuing until after nightfall. Numerous competitive events were held including: axe throw, chopping events, dendrology identification, traverse, choker set race, Jack and Jill, single buck, and double buck.

There were over 100 competitors registered in the events of those 100 competitors Humboldt claimed a more than their share of success and awards for the day including: Molly Heuss, 1st, Kelsey McGrath, 2nd, and Jess Engle, 3rd place in women’s tree climb; Merlin Sabo, 2nd and Craig, Bradshaw, 3rd place in men’s tree climb; Josh Kegerreis,2nd place in dendrology; Jess Engle, Gabriela Mejie, Melanie Hernandez, Merlin Sabo, Nick Knipe, Kelsey McGrath, Joshua Kegerreis and J. D. Wright, Best Team; Jessica Engle repeated as Belle of the Woods for the 2nd year in a row (in her 2nd year of competition) while Merlin Sabo and Nicholas Knipe took 2nd and 3rd respectively for Bull of the Woods (both also in their 2nd year of competition as well).

All in all it was a great outing for the lumberjacks whose team consists of mostly 1st and 2nd year competitors. The team is looking much stronger, deeper and improved from the team that placed 2nd at the AWFC competition last spring. We know the team will be practicing diligently for the AWFC competition in March to be held in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

The team included Casara Adkins, Erin Banwell, Mark Isaak, Mike Scott, and Alex Stone.

A total of 23 universities competed in this year’s event. Humboldt did well, making it to the final four before losing in the semifinals to Paul Smith’s College.

Travel to Orlando was made possible by funds from the Northern California Society of American Foresters, Humboldt State University Instructionally Related Activities, and fundraising through the Alumni Weekend Golf Tournament.

Alumni interested in assisting the team with travel to next year’s competition in Albuquerque can contact Chris Edgar at (707) 826-4243 or cbe9@humboldt.edu.

Professor Jeff Black with students on HSU’s campus. / Humboldt State University

Fellows are “distinguished scientists who have made notable contributions to one or more of the natural sciences,” according to the academy web site, http://www.calacademy.org.

Black was elected by current fellows for recognition of his life’s work, which includes over 100 scientific publications on over 25 species of wildlife, including ducks, geese, swans, Steller’s Jays, and River Otters. His most notable contributions have been about migratory waterfowl that travel to the Arctic in summer.

Black’s work with waterfowl is far from done. “Right now I’m trying to write a kid’s book about it,” he said. The book, focusing on migratory waterfowl, will target a junior high school audience.

For more information on Black and his work, you can visit his web site at http://www.humboldt.edu/~wildlife/faculty/black.

The association recognized Chinn for contributions to mathematics education at all levels. It cited her creation of the “Expanding Your Horizons” conference at HSU to introduce middle grade girls to mathematics, science and engineering, and coach high school students for the Mandelbrot Math Competition. “She has developed courses for prospective and practicing elementary, middle and high school teachers in problem solving, school mathematics from an advanced standpoint, calculus, and graph theory,” the ASW said. Chinn directed two professional development programs for K–12 teachers, the Redwood Area Math Project and the North Coast Mathematics and Science Initiative.

“Perhaps her most influential work,” the AMP added, “was through project PROMPT, which engaged college and university faculty in rethinking the content and pedagogy for prospective elementary and middle school teachers. This project spawned similar projects in Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma.”

The Hay Award, which provides a $300 honorarium, will be presented to Chinn in January at ceremonies in San Francisco.

The rankings, which was produced by the Institute of International Education and published in the Chronicle of Higher Education in October, compares the total number of Fulbright awards for each category of school—either bachelor’s, master’s or research institutions.

In the California State University system, only CSU Los Angeles produced more Fulbright faculty awards, while only CSU Sacramento edged out HSU for Fulbright student awards.

HSU’s Fulbright Recipients

Richard Engel, a Senior Research Engineer at the Schatz Energy Research Center, is among the three HSU faculty members participating in this year’s program. Fulbright funding will take the ’88 Environmental Resources Engineering alum to Universidad Don Bosco in El Salvador to lecture and develop curriculum on renewable energy and energy efficiency during the 2009-2010 academic year.

Professor Michael Eldridge, from HSU’s English and World Languages and Cultures departments, is currently working at McMaster University in Canada, where his work focuses on race, nation, and global culture in mid-century Canada.

Professor Armeda Reitzel from HSU’s Music and Communications departments will be traveling to Bluefields Indian and Caribbean University in Nicaragua in January to lecture on teaching English as a second language, curriculum development and teacher preparation.

Students in the program this year include Ranjan Hatch, a Biological Sciences major who will travel to Malaysia to serve as a university English assistant in addition to tutoring in math and biology.

Jorge Leyes Perez, Humboldt State’s other student Fulbright recipient, is currently serving in Madrid, Spain, where he’s involved with a public bi-lingual secondary school with students from grades seven through 10.

Founded in 1946 to encourage international educational and cultural exchange, Fulbright Scholarships are named after the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, a multilateralist who backed creation of the United Nations in 1945. He was chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1959 to 1974, the longest period in the panel’s history.

View the full listing of top Fulbright institutions at The Chronicle of Higher Education

“Our objective in presenting these maps is to give voice to issues and people in the communities,” say the Steinbergs. Monterey County is one of the largest agricultural producing counties in California, and is heavily dependent on pesticides. Increasingly, these pesticides are linked to cancers, birth defects, neurological and reproduction disorders. “As the study progressed we realized that pesticide drift is an issue of space and place. As we conclude the project we find ourselves with an expanded view of the affected population to be the entire agricultural community, not only the farm worker in the field.” Their work directly links to present concerns surrounding the rampant use of highly toxic pesticides in such industries as conventional strawberry production in Monterey County.

In addition to the Steinberg’s presentation, local health professionals and local community organizers will address the growing need to take actions locally to protect the health of our communities, families and natural resources. Active members of the sustainable and organic community will be on hand to add to the discussion about efforts to reduce harmful pesticide use and promote sustainable business practices.

WHO: Sheila Lakshmi Steinberg, PhD, California Center for Rural Policy, Humboldt State University, Arcata Calif.

Steven J. Steinberg, PhD, Institute for Spatial Analysis, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA

WHEN: Thursday Nov.12th 2009, 5:30pm Reception; 6:30pm Presentation

WHERE: Portola Hotel & Spa, 2 Portola Plaza in downtown Monterey

COST: $25 online/ $35 at the door, http://www.pesticidewatch.org/events

Of the nearly $900,000 total, $318,000 will be awarded the first two years. Preference will be given to students entering their sophomore or junior years, particularly Native American and Latino/Latina students.

The official name of the HSU initiative is the Undergraduate Research Mentoring in the Biological Sciences (URM) Program, aimed at increasing the number of students from underrepresented groups who graduate in the biologically-related sciences. It is also designed to expedite the transition into graduate studies.

The URM Program of the National Science Foundation (NSF), which funds HSU’s counterpart, was established to broaden the participation of historically underrepresented groups in science and engineering. The NSF defines the underrepresented in those disciplines as African Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Pacific Islanders and persons with disabilities.

Biological Sciences Professor Bruce O’Gara said, “One of the great things about this program is that the students will be involved in an intense, long-term mentoring and research relationship with an individual HSU faculty member. This experience will give them a competitive advantage when they apply to graduate school. Another thing I’m very happy about is that we can pay the students a stipend that will put a substantial dent in the financial burden of paying for a college education.”

Added Wildlife Management Professor and Chair Matthew Johnson, “This program provides $24,000 scholarships to help undergraduates finish their degrees and conduct collaborative research with a faculty mentor. The research and training opportunities in this program will provide a springboard for students to launch their careers as biologists.”

Twenty-three students will be enrolled in four cohorts, five of the students in the first year and six in each of the succeeding years. Each student will receive financial and research support for a period of two calendar years, with most students starting the program at the beginning of their sophomore year. A stipend of $1,000/month will be paid to each student during the 24 months of his or her participation. Students will enter the program in the summer and proceed through a series of three rotations to explore various research projects and meet prospective research mentors. During their first fall semester, students will enroll in a Research Methods Course that will cover the scientific method, study design, proposal preparation, scientific writing and presentation. Each student will develop a detailed research proposal for a project to be pursued for the remainder of the program. Student research will be mentored individually by one of 16 faculty from six departments (Biological Sciences, Fisheries, Forestry and Wildland Resources, Mathematics, Oceanography and Wildlife) in HSU’s College of Natural Resources and Sciences. Faculty research areas will be grouped in three categories: ecology and evolution; physiology, cell and molecular biology; and natural resource management.

Students will be offered a variety of courses, seminars, workshops, presentations and activities to foster success.

Details are available from Dr. O’Gara at bao3@humboldt.edu. The program Web site is at http://www.humboldt.edu/~urm/.

HSU’s Phi Nguyen was named the 2009/10 Hearst Scholar. / Submitted Photo

The Hearst award is among the highest forms of recognition for student achievement in the CSU. Scholars must demonstrate superior academic achievements, community service, financial need and the ability to overcome adversity. Many of the students have prevailed in the face of disability, language and cultural barriers, intense personal loss, substance abuse, homelessness, and abusive or absentee guardians.

Humboldt State’s recipient, Nguyen, is a native of Vietnam and immigrated with his family to the United States at the age of 19. Today he is studying both cellular biology and Chinese studies at HSU, while being involved with a number of volunteer organizations. After graduation, Nguyen hopes to attend medical school and return to Vietnam as a doctor.

“I take great pride in the fact that these extraordinary people have chosen to attend and excel at a CSU campus,” said Ali C. Razi, CSU trustee emeritus. “It is a testament to their strength, and to the CSU mission, that these scholars will soon be our graduates.”

The William Randolph Hearst Foundation originally established an endowed scholarship fund in 1984 to honor its namesake, founder of the Hearst newspaper chain. In 1999, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation partnered with the CSU Board of Trustees to supplement the endowment with contributions from CSU Trustees and private donors. Each recipient is awarded $3,000.

Ali C. Razi, trustee emeritus of the CSU Board of Trustees, later endowed a scholarship fund to recognize the top scoring Hearst/Trustees’ award recipients. This year, there are two Trustee Ali C. Razi Scholarships for $10,000. Araciel Juarez, from California State University, Los Angeles, was also named an Ali. C. Razi Scholar.

Chance Carpenter lifted 440 pounds to take home Gold in the Western States Police and Fire Games. / Submitted Photo

An officer in Humboldt State University’s on-campus police department, and former member of the Hoopa, Calif., police force, Carpenter tied for gold in this year’s Western States Police and Fire Games, held in Santa Clarita, Calif.

The Western States Police and Fire Games is a yearly regional competition in various activities ranging from dodge ball to wrestling, for all eligible fire and police department members.

This specific region covers 14 of the western states. Every two years, the regions meet for the World Games, an “Olympics-esque” competition for fire and police members from all over the globe. The games were created to motivate police and fire personnel to keep in top form and to promote healthy athletic habits.

Carpenter, father of five, tied for first place in the 40-44 year old, 220-242 lb. bench press competition, lifting an enormous 440 pounds. “I used to lift as a regular workout, but stopped for the last nine years or so. Then, about seven months before the competition this summer, began training again with the support of my sponsor, Officer Meckels, and the staff and students in the Student Recreational Center.”

Carpenter with his girlfriend. / Submitted Photo

Carpenter’s two oldest children, 19 and 21, currently attend Stanford University. On work days, he travels back and forth from Arcata to Hoopa where he lives with his three younger children, his girlfriend and her own three children. Together, they are dedicated to being very involved in their children’s lives. “It’s really tough traveling back and forth between the two places and not seeing my kids as often as I’d like, but I really enjoy my job, with the really positive students and faculty here on campus, and I make it work,” Carpenter said.

On his off days, Officer Carpenter can be found swimming in the local lakes and snowboarding as often as he can with his kids. He was recently placed on bike patrol here on campus, which boosts his cardio workout schedule.

Carpenter plans on participating in the 2010 Western States Games in Reno, Nev., and hopefully in the World Games in 2011.

Fishing boats dock in Humboldt Bay. / Humboldt State University

The findings suggest that without major management changes, commercial fishing could meet the same fate as Santa Clara County’s extinct truck produce and processing industry and Sonoma County’s withered apple sector.

Commercial salmon fishing, which has suffered recently from limited seasons and outright closures, is far from alone in the industry’s plight, according to statewide data analyzed by Humboldt State Economics Professor Steve Hackett, his research associate, Doreen Hansen, HSU undergraduate researchers and the Maryland consulting firm King and Associates. Although Dungeness crab fishing is strong on a cyclical basis, money-losing operations include such fisheries as harpoon/spear, hook and line, near shore and ground fish trap, sea urchin and southern California trawl.

Persistent revenue losses have shrunk the industry dramatically. Department of Fish and Game sales of commercial fishing licenses of all types sank 31% from 2000 to 2008, dropping from 26,049 to 18,052, according to Terry Tillman, a senior biologist and fisheries economist at the department.

Correspondingly, Hackett said, “The number of vessels in the industry has shrunk substantially across the whole state, the average age of commercial fishermen is getting older and a lot fewer people are engaged in commercial fishing. All this results in a struggle for funding to maintain the harbor and port infrastructure the industry is dependent on.”

Strong competition is in play as well. The commercial sector duels for catch with private sport fishermen, intensely so in southern California. Meanwhile, competition for fishing grounds is heightened by marine protection initiatives and the likelihood California will deploy wave energy conversion systems at sea to gain alternative electrical output.

“What you have is a constellation of policy challenges besetting commercial fishing,” Hackett emphasized, noting a corrosive feedback effect. “When it’s so hard to fish commercially and you don’t have enough fishermen, then the fish processors begin to fall by the wayside. And without them, you can’t have a commercial fishing industry. It’s very similar to what happened with truck produce and processing in Santa Clara County, which was completely eliminated by urbanization. Same thing with apple processing in Sebastopol and Sonoma County: the industry shrinks, you lose the processors and then eventually the rest of the industry goes away.”

Tillman said the new economic analysis could be a crucial underpinning for bold management actions to restore the industry’s health. “In some instances, bold action may even be for [state and federal] management to let the industry operate with more flexibility, as an unfettered or unencumbered business enterprise,” he said in an interview. “Of course, there have to be biological constraints that the department, as a custodian of a public resource, needs to keep tabs on. But as long as we have acceptable fishing practices and sustainable levels of fish, there may be room to allow the fishing fleet to operate more profitably.”

Many other states and countries have taken that direction under fisheries quota programs, he said, but California has not been in the forefront.

The analysis and companion files are titled “The Economic Structure of California’s Commercial Fisheries,” available at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/economicstructure.asp