Alumni Stories

For Humboldt State photography Professor Tom Knight (’50, ’54), light was everything. Whether it was illuminating the crescent outline of a subject’s face or highlighting the opalescent luster of a common washbasin, Knight made finding the right light at the right moment his life’s passion.

Christy Laird (’77), entrepreneur of Rose Court Cottage and Arcata Stay, “The Lodging Network of Exceptional Accommodations," describes her alumni colleagues this way: “Entrepreneurial people with a multitude of different skills who share the HSU connection and a love affair with Arcata.”

For Carol Stieger ('58) dreams of international travel were in the works from the day she started as a teacher in Sacramento.

Fútbol is wildly popular in Spain. You know, fútbol, that game with a soccer ball the entire world plays without cease, working itself into a universal frenzy every four years over crowning the sport’s global champion. Football, on the other hand, is not quite as popular in Spain. You know, football, that game where big, strong guys ram into each other and toss around an oblong ball on a 100-yard field.

Kalindi Rogers and Erin Slattery have nothing personal against burritos. Like countless generations of students before them, the two have sampled more than their fair share of taco truck offerings.

Geology alum Dave Bazard’s first love is teaching. To begin with, “there was this very dynamic earth science teacher I had in middle school.” Dave Bazard (’82) was smitten with geology right then and there, scarcely a teenager.

Arcata - The Humboldt State University Alumni Association will celebrate the accomplishments of its 2008 Distinguished Alumni with a gala dinner on Friday, April 18, at 5:30 p.m. in the Kate Buchanan Room at University Center.

He’s on a first name basis with John Travolta, he’s acted alongside Mel Gibson, and Bono (you know, the lead singer of U2) says he smells like rain.

Arcata – Humboldt State alumnus Bruce Appelgate (’85) has been named associate director of Ship Operations and Marine Technical Support at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.

Funny, it doesn’t look like something that’s going to save the world, this viscous, green goop. And yet, if you spend just two minutes talking to Brandon Hemenway and Patrick Wiley, the chief officers of AlgaRhythms, you’ll walk away believing that their brand of slime might do just that.

When he graduated from Humboldt State in 1970, Peter Underhill never imagined that students around the world would one day study his life’s work. Thirty-seven years later, however, Underhill’s research on the Y chromosome has shed new light on the history of human evolution.

Humboldt State University is thanking alumni today for an 84% increase in the number of them who made a gift to the institution last year. This information comes from a recently submitted annual report on 2006-2007 academic year giving to the American Council on Education.

Bob Snyder, Humboldt State University’s new second-in-command, names three overriding priorities for the Office of Academic Affairs, the division he leads in his new dual role of interim provost and vice president.

The Campus Center for Appropriate Technology is rebuilding after being moved to a new location, offering another generation of students the chance to learn skills that lead to a greener future. CCAT’s Grand Reopening was Saturday, September 29th.

The current exhibit at the Humboldt State University Library showcases the World War II experience in Humboldt County. One display centers on the book “Original Patriots: Northern California Indian Veterans of World War II” by local author Chag Lowry. The book is a collection of interviews with Northern California Indian veterans. They share their experiences as well as their perspectives of being an Indian in the military during the time of the Second World War.

A record 1,056 new freshmen are enrolled at Humboldt State University for the fall semester, an 8% jump from the 981 posted a year ago. The leap in new transfer students is even higher—15%.

Eureka - The Humboldt State University Alumni Association and Center Activities will present HSU’s “People-Powered Water Adventure,” the 5th Annual Humboldt Bay Paddlefest, on Saturday, Sept. 29, and Sunday, Sept. 30, on the Eureka Waterfront.

Arcata – Humboldt State University Alumnus Robert C. Thomas (’85), Professor of Geology, University of Montana -Western, has received a 2007 Distinguished Service Award from the Geological Society of America, a scientific society founded in 1888 that today boasts nearly 21,000 members in more than 90 countries.

HSU alumni Alli Minch (‘92, ‘94) and Byron Turner (‘88, ‘92) are matching up to $1 million in donations for their dream Oasis Project, a violence recovery community to be home-based in Humboldt County that will provide sustained care to women and children who are survivors of domestic crime.

Humboldt State University First Street Gallery presents Young Alumni 2007: Works by Recent HSU Graduates, on exhibit July 5 through August 5. The Gallery bills the exhibition as clear evidence of the excellent career preparation HSU provides art majors.

Humboldt State University’s 2007 Commencement on May 12 marked the 20th anniversary of its famed Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility, an oath conceived by HSU undergraduates that has since won the allegiance of young people from coast to coast and as far away as Asia.

The Humboldt State University Alumni Association recognized three exceptional alumni during its 2006-2007 Distinguished Alumni Awards banquet dinner, April 19, on the Humboldt State campus. Some 138 guests were in attendance to celebrate honorees Ken Fisher, Wesley Chesbro, and Michelle Kelly, who have each exemplified the great leadership and contribution to the community and environment that has long been part of the Humboldt Spirit.

Humboldt State University Alumnus Lyle Laverty ('65) has been nominated by President George W. Bush to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. The nomination is subject to United States Senate confirmation. In that post, Mr. Laverty would oversee policy for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, with a combined annual budget of some $3.6 billion and a combined workforce of about 30,000 employees.

The HSU Alumni Association has announced that Wesley Chesbro, Ken Fisher and Michelle Kelly will be honored as the university's Distinguished Alumni for 2007 at a dinner and awards ceremony Thursday, April 19. The event will be held at the Kate Buchanan Room on the HSU campus, cocktails will be served at 6 p.m., dinner is scheduled for 7 p.m., with awards ceremony to follow. The Distinguished Alumni Awards Banquet is the most significant annual event produced by the Alumni Association with a heritage dating back to 1960.

The Humboldt State University Alumni Association is seeking nominations for its 2007 Distinguished Alumni Awards. Distinguished alumni are individuals recognized as leaders in their fields, and outstanding contributors to their community, nation, or Humboldt State University. While membership in the Alumni Association is not required, nominees should have demonstrated continued interest in HSU and the Alumni Association, and should be able to accept the award in person.