Campus News

About 2,500 graduates and credential recipients crossed the stage May 12 when Humboldt State University held its 2007 Commencement ceremonies, bringing some 15,000 attendees to Redwood Bowl.

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.

With the help of University Information Services, Staff Council has a new email listserv to reach staff quickly when key issues and meetings arise. Despite heavy email traffic, "a listserv is one of the most efficient ways for Staff Council to 'get the word out'," the organization said in announcing the new service.

The Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) will host an open house from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wed., May 9 2007 featuring eight new energy displays designed and constructed by HSU students as part of a local Service Learning partnership.

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.

The HSU Library has been offered the Tim McKay Papers and the late Mr. McKay's collection of thousands of historic postcards. Widely remembered as the long time director of the Northcoast Environmental Center in Arcata, Mr. McKay also had extensive connections with the University.

The HSU Junior Social Work Methods Class invites the community to attend the free, culminating event of its spring semester when a variety of groups will have their voices heard, representing the community's older adults, youth from various backgrounds, young parents, veterans, and people with mental health issues, on Tues., May 8, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Kate Buchanan Room.

In their combined spring concert, the HSU Percussion Ensemble and the celebrated Calypso Band provide a new definition of “heavy metal” when they perform in the Van Duzer Theatre on Sat., April 28 at 8:00 p.m.

Dr. Jayne McGuire, an Assistant Professor in the Special Education Credential program at Humboldt State University, has been elected to the Humboldt Community Access and Resource Center’s board of directors.

Information Technology Services (ITS) is exploring options for improving HSU email and calendaring systems. A campus-wide committee was formed early spring semester 2007 to evaluate the current email system and seek out solutions that would enhance and improve overall communications both on and off campus.

As you may recall from earlier communications regarding the budget, there are four main causes of the persistent deficits at HSU. First, our campus provides a unique mix of high-quality and high-cost academic majors, small class sizes and a high proportion of tenured or tenure-track faculty that are largely unrivaled in the CSU.

“First, and foremost, we would like to express and send our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the victims at Virginia Tech. We are also very supportive and empathetic to the students, faculty, and administrators who are attempting to cope and respond to this tragedy,” said Steven Butler, HSU Vice President for Student Affairs.

Humboldt State students can donate a portion of their meal points between now and April 27 as part of a regional food drive organized by the HSU Service Learning Center.

Humboldt State University Library, in conjunction with KEET-TV, Morris Graves Museum of Art and Humboldt Arts Council (MGMA), Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), and North Coast Preparatory Academy (NPA), is offering outreach in the local community through screenings, discussions, workshops, and cultural events beginning this June.

Humboldt State University (HSU) and the USDA Forest Service (FS), Region 5-California, have formalized a partnership agreement to achieve a common goal of increasing the recruitment of ethnically diverse students in natural resources careers.

The HSU Children's Center cosponsors a free Family Health Faire Sat., Apr. 21, from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. at the "D" Street Neighborhood Center, 1301 D Street, Arcata. More than 25 local health and resource agencies will be on hand to share information and activities for children and parents.

Tammy Curtis, Associate Director of Human Resources at Humboldt State University, has been named Director of Human Resources, succeeding Mary C. Fischer, effective immediately. Ms. Curtis, an HSU alumna (‘71), has been associate director of the unit since 1998, where she administered human resources programs.

The California State University (CSU) today announced it has reached a tentative agreement with the California Faculty Association that provides all CSU faculty with base pay increases of 20.7 percent over a four-year period, as well as step increases for those eligible, making the package worth 24.87 percent.

Rural locales such as the Redwood Coast tend to foster responsible corporate behavior because of the special sway they wield over environmental policy, a Berkeley expert on corporate ethics said in an interview with Humboldt State University. Professor David J. Vogel, the nationally-recognized author of "The Market for Virtue," contends that small rural communities are more likely to have substantial impact on the harvesting of natural resources and issues such as forestry conservation and wildlife preservation.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently awarded Humboldt State nearly a half million dollars to finance a new scholarship program aimed at encouraging more students to enter the science and technology fields. Humboldt’s scholarship program is part of a new national effort to help the United States regain its prominence as a leader in fields such as engineering and computer science.

Don Wolski, host of the Bayside Hayride show on KHSU radio and a Humboldt County technology pioneer, died at his Bayside home early Monday morning at 56 after a long battle with brain cancer.

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.

Youth Educational Services, a nonprofit, student-run organization, will hold its annual Serve-a-Thon at the Manila Community Center on Saturday, March 24.

Humboldt State University inducted 14 new members of the Silver Lamp Club of Distinction, recognizing them for 25 years of service to HSU.