Alumni Stories

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.

With only 99 inducted members of the California Outdoors Hall of Fame, Cal Poly Humboldt was the spawning ground for two individuals recognized for their influence on California’s outdoors.

When asked about his favorite part of his current role as the Vice President of Animal Care at the Monterey (‘86, Biology) Bay Aquarium, Jon Hoech emphasizes working with amazing people who share his passion for marine conservation and the breathtaking view of the Monterey Bay from his office window, both mirroring his favorite parts about studying at Cal Poly Humboldt.

It has been over 80 years since Sarah (Southworth) Franklin (‘43, Education) was a senior at Cal Poly Humboldt, then-Humboldt State College.

Emily Pinckney (‘15, Marine Biology) is a dedicated environmental scientist, advocate, and leader committed to making the world a better place through her work.

Ron Holcomb ('76, Journalism, Biology, and Natural Resources) grew up near the Santa Barbara coast and mountains. He loved surfing the pristine beaches and hiking the Santa Ynez mountains.

Playing video games was always a way for Jade Takimoto-Soriano ('16, International Studies) and her family to connect and spend time together. Her love for video games has come full circle as she is now the recruiter of diversity and Inclusion at Bad Robot Games, a video game company founded by renowned filmmaker J.J. Abrams, who made films like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Mission Impossible, and Star Trek.

The Humboldt Alumni Scholarship is a testament to the dedication of Cal Poly Humboldt's alumni in supporting current students.