Lumberjacks in Love
By Iridian Casarez
THOSE WHO ATTEND Cal Poly Humboldt often discover their love for the outdoors, their community, or a particular discipline—some even find the love of their lives. One in 12 Cal Poly Humboldt alumni is married to another. They share memories of walking through Founders Hall, studying together in the Library, hanging out at the Jolly Giant Commons, and taking small hikes in the redwood forest behind campus. Some of these couples shared the stories of how they met at Humboldt.
Jayda and Taiden Partlow
Jayda’s (‘18, Critical Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies) and Taiden’s (‘18, International Studies) love story was fate. Before arriving at Humboldt, they were involved in the April 2014 Spring Preview bus accident but were on different buses. After recovering, they both decided to attend Humboldt and met each other soon after. After years of flirting, they started dating. They spent six years together before getting married in 2021 and welcoming their son, Adonis, last December.
Kiara Cuerpo-Hadsall and Quinn Bunstock de Hinojosa
Kiara (‘19, Environmental Science & Management) and Quinn (‘20, Forestry) met in their first year at Humboldt in professor Hohl’s Forestry 100 class in 2015. Kiara quickly noticed how smart and handsome Quinn was and convinced him to help her study. Their friendship status rapidly evolved to “best friends” outside of class, and a romance blossomed between the two. Humboldt holds some of their fondest memories, from traipsing through the Arcata Community Forest to supporting each other in their studies. After eight years together, Quinn and Kiara were married in April 2024.
Sheryl and Patrick Coulston
Sheryl (‘74, Business Administration) and Patrick (‘74, Biology) met on the first day of orientation in 1970 while waiting in line to get their room keys. Their first date was a bike ride out to Mad River Beach, followed by many more for sundaes at Bims, the ice cream shop at the corner of 16th and G. Summer made them full-time Humboldters for a couple of years. Their fall 1974 marriage was followed by grad school in Virginia, jobs on the East Coast, and raising children in the Bay Area and Central Valley. They are now happily retired in Capitola, California, with a few grandchildren. They will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in September
Latrice and Raymond Watson
Latrice (‘01, Social Work, ‘07, Master of Social Work) and Raymond (‘01, Sociology) met in their first year at Humboldt in 1996 and bonded over football, as he was a linebacker and she attended all the games. They loved to play spades and hang out in their rooms in Redwood Hall or Cypress Hall and attend parties after the football games. They had lots of late-night runs to the Cupboard store on campus for ice cream, took short hikes through Redwood Park, and had air hockey battles at Sidelines Bar on the Arcata Plaza. They have four girls and remain connected to college friends who have become their chosen family.
Lucinda and Gary Jensen
Lucinda (‘70, English) first saw Gary (‘69, Forestry) when she was moving into Sunset Hall. They became friends and eventually started dating. They participated in many student life events, like Lumberjack Days, and made great memories together. Gary proposed to Lucy before leaving for active service in the U.S. Marine Corps. They’ve been married for 54 years and have three children and six grandchildren.
Stacey and Bridgette Usher-Wong
Stacey (‘18, Liberal Studies Elementary Education) met Bridgette (‘21, Communication) when she joined the Humboldt Women’s Rowing team in the fall of 2017. They remember early morning practices at the boathouse and traveling to compete in regattas. The following year Stacey volunteered to coach the women’s novice team to spend more time with Bridgette while earning her teaching credential. They married in 2021 and continue to give back to the Humboldt community as a University Police Department dispatcher and as an elementary school teacher.
Maggie and Jason White
Jason (‘96, Physical Education, ‘98, M.S. Kinesiology) and Maggie (‘96, Physical Education, ‘97, M.S. Kinesiology) met at the Depot. They had a mutual friend and sat together during the busy time at the crowded lunch spot. Jason was on the football team, and Maggie was on the softball team. They did not start dating until at least a year after meeting but had the same major. They both went on to be coaches in their respective sports and have lived in Humboldt County since graduating. Currently, they both work for College of the Redwoods, where Jason is the head football coach and Maggie is a health/kinesiology instructor. Fun fact: Their wedding reception was held in the West Gym at Humboldt
Jim and Polly Lugosi
Jim (‘97, Geography) and Polly (‘96, Child Development) met in Cedar Hall as transfer students in 1994. Jim spent most of his time kicking hacky sacks outside the residence halls. The only way Polly was ever going to get to know him was to learn…and learn she did. The rest is history. After they graduated, they got married in 1998. They now have two children and just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Their son will be attending Humboldt this fall (‘24). They wouldn’t trade their memories at Humboldt for anything.
Amy and Sam Gibson
Amy (‘98, History) and Sam (‘98, Psychology) met in 1996 through a mutual friend while living in Sunset Hall and Creekview Apartments, respectively. After going on a friendly night out to Cafe Mokka and the Arcata Plaza, they soon fell in love. They remember going to the Siemens Hall basement computer lab to use the old Unix-based Axe network to communicate with friends on campus. They married in 2000.
J.D. and Sergio Garza-Valencia
J.D. (‘14, Communication) met Sergio (‘23, Psychology) back home in the Central Valley at College of the Sequoias, and they moved up to Humboldt together. Since 2011, they have always invited friends and family to visit, and their fondest memories continue to grow. They love to share the magic of Humboldt with the people they love. Sergio is currently pursuing an Master of Social Work at Humboldt, while J.D. is serving as the interim director for the Career Development Center at Humboldt.