Warren's Master's Degree helped him get employed as a fishery biologist for the U.S. Bureau of Fish and Game at Sandy Hook Marine Laboratory in New Jersey where he researched the behavior of striped bass. He later transitioned to becoming a science educator at the secondary and university level. After his retirement, he continued to work part-time at Liberty Science Center. At the age of 80, he thought it was time for a complete retirement. His wife Ann was also an educator. They currently are involved in establishing pollinator gardens in our community, enjoy biking, and recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. Warren's interest in photography comes in handy when they visit their daughter who is an instructor in Alaska.

 

Mark's time at Humboldt State in the early 2000s had a profound impact on the man he is today. His graduation pledge was to use his life to actively work toward a more socially and environmentally responsible world. 

Shortly after graduating, his professional career began in the renewable energy and energy efficiency space. For the past 20 years, his profession has focused on energy efficiency consulting. He is currently a Director with ICF and leads a team of consultants who design, implement, and evaluate programs that help our clients achieve energy, environmental, and economic goals. His skills include project management, sustainable development, energy assessments, and building science. His passion is to create innovative solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and improve the quality of life for communities. The energy efficiency programs he supports are designed to help builders, developers, and homeowners adopt high-performance building practices, technologies, and standards that increase energy savings, comfort, and durability.

Mark says Humboldt was and will always be a magical and inspiring place to live, learn, and love. His Humboldt professors, friends, and family opened doors of perception that allowed him to see and understand the world through a new lens. These influences and learnings resulted in his passion for the environment and the precious home he calls Earth. 

Maureen took her Bachelor's degree in psychology ('83) in a neurobiology direction through opportunities provided by Humboldt State faculty who connected her to employment in electron microscopy at the University of Utah. She proceeded to earn both an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Zoology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she discovered interest in teaching. She has just returned to her position as Full Professor in Biological Sciences after serving as the Associate Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. She is very excited to see her alma mater transition to Cal Poly status!

Jeannette is an elementary school teacher in Northern California. 

Nick graduated this past summer with a master's in classical guitar performance from the University of Alicante in Valencia, Spain. He was one of twelve from around the world and one of two from the United States to be selected to attend this intensive, high-caliber six-month program on the gorgeous Iberian coast. Nick was also the founding member of Mariachi de Humboldt, and can now be found volunteering with Guitars4Vets, teaching guitar to local veterans with PTSD, on top of performing and teaching privately near his hometown in Garden Grove.

Paul joined the Coast Guard, with his marine environmental background was assigned to the White House to draft the first Federal Environmental Impact Statement, for the TransAlaskan Pipeline. He spent two years patrolling the Bering Sea protecting the “Deadliest Catch” fishing fleets. A second White House tour coordinated Pacific Basin interagency drug interdiction operations. Two years in the Persian Gulf/Africa dealing with Pirates, Smugglers & Terrorists. Retired from the Coast Guard, the next 14 years were with the Intelligence Community. Four Masters:  Univ. Michigan-Environmental Management, Naval War College-National Security Planning & Risk Management, Salve Regina-International Affairs, CalState Hayward-Government Pandemic Management.    

Barry became a UCONN Master Gardener after I retired about 25 years ago.  Barry says his Humboldt State education was very valuable in obtaining the certification. He has used his Degree in Biology and the MG certification to teach classes for the State of Connecticut and Northeast Organic Farmers Association, and is also one of the three Founders of "The Holcomb Tree Trail, a 120-acre Arboretum here in his hometown, Granby Connecticut. He says his HSU education served him well and has been invaluable to me since his graduation in 1975.

Mellisa graduated with a B.A. in Journalism in 2005 and Liberal Studies/Elementary Education in 1999. She volunteered at many libraries including the Arcata Branch of the Humboldt County Public Library system. After working in many library roles in Nevada County, she was hired as the Branch Librarian for Coast Community Library in Mendocino County. Mellisa is now the Library Director for Mendocino County's public libraries. She works to support the Library's mission of enriching lives through free and equitable access to materials and programs centered on education, culture, and entertainment.

Music alumna Melody Walker was nominated for a 2025 Grammy Award for Best American Roots song for "American Dreaming," which she wrote with country musician Sierra Ferrell. The song appears on Farrell's album "Trail of Flowers," released in early 2024. The 2025 Grammy winners will be announced on Feb. 2, 2025.

V. Leone Cottrell Adkins received her Bachelors (’68) and Masters (’72) degrees in music from Humboldt State. Leone was already a professional musician having played string bass for Portland and Seattle Symphonies as well as being a highly trained opera singer when life‘s turn of events brought her to Humboldt County. At Humboldt, Leone was on staff in the Music department as accompanist and Assistant Opera Workshop Director. Between 2016 and 2019 Leone made several road trips with her daughter to California, documenting the impressive motorcycle racing career of her oldest brother, Jack W. Cottrell.