Forever Humboldt

Alumni Updates

Brandon Chapin, Politics, 2010

Submitted: August 31, 2022

Brandon Chapin ('10, Politics) was appointed as Legislative and Policy Advisor at the Delta Stewardship Council by Governor Newsom on July 1, 2022. He is responsible for maintaining the Council’s relationship with the State legislature and working on other special projects related to the implementation of the state's Delta Plan. 

Rick Williams, Wildlife, 1977

Submitted: August 31, 2022

Rick Williams ('77, Wildlife) retired in July 2022 after a 45-year career that began with the USFWS and CDFW. He transitioned through PG&E and various consulting firms and then culminated with a return to PG&E in 2015. He has had career-long involvement with The Wildlife Society (TWS), including service as President of the TWS-Western Section (TWS-WS) representing wildlife professionals in California, Nevada, and Hawaii, and the TWS Executive Council. He attributes his long involvement with TWS to the mentorship of former (now deceased) Humboldt professors, Dr. Chuck Yocum and Dr. Stan (Doc) Harris, true giants of the Wildlife Profession.

Jacob Horn, Journalism, 2014

Submitted: August 31, 2022

Jacob Horn's (Journalism, '14) magazine that the company he founded, Vivo HealthStaff, has been selected as #231 on the 2022 Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in the United States.

Michael Stockstill, Journalism, 1971

Submitted: August 29, 2022

Michael Stockstill ('71, Journalism) has authored a book on the history of the planning and development of the Irvine Ranch. The title is "Transforming the Irvine Ranch", available on Amazon. 

Cyndy Phillips, English, 1998

Submitted: August 26, 2022

On September 3, 2022, Humboldt had its first published anthology of painters, Looking for Beauty. The publishing was designed and compiled by Cyndy Phillips ('98, English), a former English faculty. For nearly four years, the project was advised by Cal Poly Press and professor, James Woglom (who wrote the foreword). In August of 2022 at the Redwood Art Association (603 F St, Eureka), the final 80 limited edition books were on sale as a fundraiser to support the Redwood Art Association’s Annual Paint Out. The event was ushered in by gypsy jazz, North Story Wines, and free food.

George FitzGerald, Geology, 1968

Submitted: August 23, 2022

As the first geology graduate of Humboldt State in 1968, George FitzGerald went to work as an underground mine geologist in Grants, New Mexico. Using investigative skills taught by my Humboldt professors, he directed the quality-based safe extraction of uranium ore for over 15 years.  Great education and experience in field geology provided him with the skills to successfully hold positions in industry, teaching, consulting and government regulation for environmentally protective mineral production. FitzGerald thanks Humboldt's first geology professors Dr. Young, Dr. Kilmer, and Dr. Longshore for creating one of the great programs at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Rick M. Gardner, Psychology, 1965

Submitted: August 20, 2022

After graduation, Rick Gardner ('65, Psychology) attended the University of Nevada Reno where he received his Ph.D. in psychology in 1969. He was a professor and department chair at two universities, most recently at the University of Colorado Denver. His research emphasis was on body image and retired in 2010. In recognition of Humboldt's many contributions to his journey into academia, Rick recently funded three annual scholarships for psychology undergraduate majors who are assisting psychology faculty in their research. He is most grateful for his experiences and the mentorship he received at Humboldt State. 

Dave Albert, Kinesiology & Recreation Administration, 1994

Submitted: August 19, 2022

Dave Albert ('94, Physical Education) recently retired from the City of Santa Cruz after 20+ years as a police officer. He currently works part-time in various law enforcement training capacities and lives in San Jose. He and his wife of 30 years are anxiously awaiting their first grandchild in December, and are enjoying the perks of retirement: traveling, Tahoe excursions, and lots of exercise.

Matthew Nelson, Biological Sciences, 2004, 2009

Submitted: August 18, 2022

Matthew Nelson ('04, Zoology, '09, M.S. Biology) has worked as a biological technician for Olympic National Park, a marine biologist for the City of San Diego, and is currently a Shellfish Biologist for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in Washington. This position involves working closely with other state and tribal managers to maintain healthy and productive fisheries while ensuring that the resource will be around for the benefit of future generations.

Bob Freeman, Biological Sciences, 1976

Submitted: August 11, 2022

The third volume of the SciFi series "H2LiftShips - Bosons Wave" by local author, Bob Freeman, is now out in the wild. The author is a graduate of HSU with a Masters in Biology and a retired Public Health Laboratory Director (Imperial County). In the classic Space Opera SciFi style, he takes the reader from one end of California to the other. They ditch the red roadster and the trip continues to Luna, the asteroid belt, and beyond. More information, sample chapters, and the dreaded 'Trigger Warning' can be found here.    

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