Alumni Stories

Sherman Schapiro (‘86, Environmental Systems) is proof that giving inspires giving.

Kari Marie Norgaard (‘92, Biology) got more than she expected out of Cal Poly Humboldt.

Her mother and father. Her sister. Her brother. Her other sister. Her sister’s husband. Her cousin. Her niece.And the list goes on.

Felix Quintana (‘14, Art), whose art has been gaining significant attention, says Humboldt was a huge influence on his artistic development and an important part of his life experience.

Katrina “Katie” S. Hagen (’94, Political Science and French) says no one knows what she does.

If you’ve got a saltwater aquarium with exotic fish and corals, there’s a good chance you’ve dealt with Cal Poly Humboldt alumnus Robert Miller (‘85, Oceanography).

A cup of coffee with a professor from the Telonicher Marine Lab changed everything for Dave Ebert (’81, Zoology).

Meg Godlewski (‘87, Journalism) is passionate about two things—aviation and writing—and she’s figured out how to combine the two into a satisfying career.

“I’m not a pure forestry guy.” So says “forestry guy” Cal Mukumoto (‘77, Forestry), who was appointed Oregon State Forester last year. “I’ve had a varied career and for me to be in this position is a surprise.”

On a cool, overcast day, Tim Karas (‘91, Geography) walked across the field in Redwood Bowl to receive his diploma, becoming the first in his family to graduate from college.

As a young student, Jennifer Kho (‘99, Journalism) jumped straight into the deep end at The Lumberjack, Humboldt’s student newspaper, where one assignment after another led her off campus and into the community.

Like many students, Cecil Rhambo (‘80, Sociology) arrived at Humboldt State University sight unseen.

An infectious disease physician with a background in wastewater and epidemiology, Dr. Amy Mathers (‘97, Biology) found herself among the country’s top medical officials as they scrambled for answers in the early days of the pandemic. 

In a year marked by incredible challenges, the Humboldt State University community rallied together to generously support students with scholarships and new opportunities.

An 84-foot white fir harvested from Six Rivers National Forest will light up the U.S. Capitol this holiday season after making the cross-country trek from Northern California to Washington D.C. In preparation, Humboldt State University students have helped create interpretative and educational materials to accompany the tree on its journey east.

In a year marked by incredible challenges, the Humboldt State University community rallied together to generously support students with scholarships and new opportunities. Over the course of the year, 3,360 donors gave $9.4 million.

HSU virtual and in-person events honor Native American culture and art and focus on issues that impact Indigenous communities.

A cartographer by trade, Kaitlin Yarnall (‘05, Geography and Spanish) believes that maps are more about power and history than borders and roads.

The Peace Corps announced the launch of Peace Corps Prep, an undergraduate certificate program, today at Humboldt State University. Scheduled to launch this November, the program will combine targeted coursework with hands-on experience, building the competencies needed for students to become Peace Corps volunteers or other intercultural fieldworkers. HSU is one of 11 new university partnerships.

When Valetta Molofsky (‘20, MSW) first moved to Humboldt to attend Humboldt State University, she noticed one thing right away: Few looked like her and her children.

Growing up, Michael Lynch (2011, Business Administration) says he was raised by a phenomenal single father and surrounded by a community of love in his hometown of Sacramento, California.

Partnering with the U.S.

Growing up in San Ramon, California, Benjamin Hoffman (‘00, Journalism) was naturally an Oakland A’s fan. But his childhood dream was to be a writer.

Alaska. 1992. Christopher Macandless stumbles down a snow-covered trail with only a few belongings. 

As a researcher at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and Georgetown University in Washington D.C., Amy Scarpignato (‘11, M.S. Wildlife) is part conservationist and part investigator.