Alumni Stories

On April 1, when Jonathan Souza (‘01, Music Education) steps onto the podium at Carnegie Hall, he will carry more than a baton in his hand. He will carry a lifetime of rehearsals in small-town band rooms, late nights in the music lobby at Cal Poly Humboldt, the steady encouragement of mentors, and the voices of generations of students who learned to believe in themselves because he first believed in them.

Kory Lamberts’s (‘21, Environmental Studies) path to marine conservation didn’t begin in the ocean. It began in Martinez, California, where he grew up near an oil refinery and, long before he had the language for it, noticed patterns that would later define his work on expanding access to marine environments.

Cal Poly Humboldt Day on Monday, Jan. 26, featured a free, family-friendly concert that brought together alumni, students, faculty, staff, friends, families, and community members to celebrate the University's fourth anniversary of becoming a polytechnic.

Ray Olson (‘86, Natural Resource Planning & Interpretation) has always had a passion for the outdoors. He came to Cal Poly Humboldt because of his love for the North Coast, which felt like home to him. Many years later, that same passion to explore a place, understand it, and share those experiences has become the driving force behind his TV series, Humboldt Outdoors.

Each year, Cal Poly Humboldt alumni come together to support the next generation of students through the Humboldt Alumni Scholarship.

When Robert Prince (‘89, Math, ‘91, M.S. Physical Education) arrived at Humboldt in 1985, it was the beginning of a lifelong journey grounded in hard work, passion, and a deep love for football—not just the game, but the people who play it.

For Jennifer Martines (‘17, Wildlife), a love of animals started in a neighborhood library in Los Angeles, where librarians would hand her books about wildlife. That childhood curiosity, nurtured by hard-working parents who worked two jobs to support her, eventually led her to Cal Poly Humboldt—and later, to national recognition on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

Since 1960, Cal Poly Humboldt has proudly recognized alumni who embody the spirit of excellence, service, and innovation through its prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award.

When Victor “Vico” Hernandez (‘07, Art) was invited to speak at Cal Poly Humboldt’s regional commencement in Los Angeles last month, it was more than just an honor—it was a full-circle moment.

Cassandra Hesseltine ('96, Psychology) is a visionary leader whose passion for storytelling, performance, and community has helped transform California’s North Coast into a world-class filming destination.

This spring, David White (‘87, Art, ‘89, M.A. Art) was back on campus—paintbrush in hand, refreshing a legacy that’s grown for more than three decades. He came, as he always does every 10 years, to care for the space he created: the art hallway.

From “Ted Lasso” to “Shrinking,” Leesa Coble (‘97, Journalism) inspires as a creative content marketing manager for Apple TV+ by stepping into the shoes of fans, envisioning the behind-the-scenes content they crave, and masterfully weaving stories that resonate.

As a philosopher, filmmaker, and passionate supporter of women’s sports, Cal Poly Humboldt Film faculty Michelle Cartier ('01, Film) founded The Summitt—a community-driven space where art, philosophy, and sports intersect.

Over the past 36 years, Leonel Arguello (‘89, Ecology, ‘93, M.A. Botany) has built a remarkable career with Redwood National and State Parks.

Cooperation was a cornerstone of Alan Sesser’s (‘99, Environmental Science) academic experience at Cal Poly Humboldt.

A year ago, U.S. Army Major Patrick Sorensen ('06, Chemistry) gained national attention when his portrait went viral. In the photo, his hair is long, and he’s wearing ceremonial Native American feathers while in uniform, varying from the standard dress code for male soldiers.

When Elizabeth Pimentel (‘00, Spanish, Business Administration) walks onto the court at Chase Center where more than 18,000  fans cheer on the Golden State Warriors, she feels electrified.

Chris Manning ('90, Journalism) is deeply passionate about the art of storytelling through sound. His career has involved performing at Wembley Stadium, creating immersive soundscapes for iconic scenes like “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and recording Santana’s 1999 album “Supernatural.”

Cal Poly Humboldt has been proudly celebrating the outstanding achievements of its alumni through the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award since 1960.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center will receive a mural from local artist Tony Diaz (‘13, Art) for the Eureka Street Art Festival.

Steve (‘95, Speech Communications) and Amy Bohner’s journey from Humboldt students to successful entrepreneurs underscores the profound impact that their education and experiences at Cal Poly Humboldt had on their lives.

With the help of dedicated faculty, Jess Whatcott (‘04, Political Science, ‘11, Environment & Community) discovered their passion for education during their time at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Ariel DeLara (‘15, Rangeland Resource Science) now works as a district conservationist for the Natural Resource Conservation Service, where he's dedicated to environmental stewardship and conservation.

Former Cal Poly Humboldt women's soccer player Rhea Chan has been called up for a trial to the Philippines National Team and will travel to Murcia, Spain to compete in the 2024 Pinatar Cup.

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.