Alumni Updates

Find classmates by name, major, or year of graduation

Trever McSwain, Politics, 2012

Submitted: October 27, 2020

Trever McSwain has been practicing law in Indiana since 2016, he is a captain in the Indiana National Guard JAG Corps and a legal aid attorney for Indiana Legal Services Military Assistance Project where he assists low income Veterans.

Daniel Mandell, History, 1979

Submitted: October 11, 2020

Prof. Daniel Mandell's (History, 1979) book The Lost Tradition of Economic Equality in America, 1600-1880, was published by Johns Hopkins University Press in April 2020. He used that work to write commentaries on current issues for the Washington Post, Time, and The Conversation, which was then republished in various newspapers.

Matthew Woodman, English, 1998

Submitted: October 6, 2020

Matthew Woodman, English, 1998, was named the 2019-2020 Kern County Poet Laureate.

Mariko-(Jade) Takimoto, International Studies, 2016

Submitted: September 15, 2020

After graduation, Mariko-(Jade) Takimoto, International Studies, 2016, was fortunate enough to teach a year abroad in Seville, Spain. Once she returned to the states, she worked as an advisor for entertainment-art students at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. Now she is a Recruiter/Sourcer for Sony PlayStation - Santa Monica Studio, God of War team. Takimoto says, "none of this would have been possible if not for the support of the HSU staff & faculty, especially those in the World Languages & Cultures Dept., International Studies Dept., and Center for International Programs. Thank you all for the support you have shown me and your willingness to continue to inspire students to be the very best version of themselves. Thank you HSU! <3"

Kristin Klamm-Doneen, Philosophy, 1992

Submitted: September 12, 2020

Kristin Klamm-Doneen, Philosophy, 1992, serves as the Chair of our Philosophy & Humanities Department at Anoka Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, just outside Minneapolis. She obtained her Ph.D. in Practical Philosophy from Stockholm University, her M.A. in Individual Studies: Comparative Philosophy & Religion from Central Washington University and a M.A. in Practical Philosophy. When pursuing one of her advanced degrees she was so pleased to take a distance learning class in advanced logic from her Humboldt State University advisor, Michael Goodwin. She absolutely loves her job here in Minnesota, where she has taught full-time in Philosophy for the past 15 years. "Thank you HSU, for the great start!"

Kent K Willis, Biological Sciences, 1969

Submitted: September 9, 2020

Kent Willis, Biological Sciences, 1969, earned his teaching credential the next year at Humboldt State. He taught middle school in Fortuna, California for 42 years, as an 8th grade teacher, basketball and track coach, and vice principal. He earned two master's degrees and a doctorate over these years. His wife Marsha (Gallon), who is also a teacher, graduated from Humboldt State as well. They have two children, one who also graduated from Humboldt State. He retired from teaching in 2013, but has continued to coach 8th grade boys' basketball. A memoir, Teaching 42+, of his years of teaching has been published by Amazon, as has his most recent book, An Auto Biography, that has stories of him driving the bus for biology class field trips at Humboldt State.

Emilie Uemura, Anthropology, 2015

Submitted: August 11, 2020

Since graduating from HSU, Emilie Uemura, Anthropology, 2015, worked as an archaeological technician for the Six Rivers National Forest, the Pike National Forest, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Lassen National Park, and DZC Archaeology. Working closely with natural resource and land managers, her interests grew to include sustainable communities, climate resiliency, environmental protection, and GIS. She is now pursuing a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) degree at Eastern Washington University.

Veronica Sirkis Dunning, Economics, 1984

Submitted: August 11, 2020

Veronica Dunning's, Economics, 1984, new book, Violet Ribbons, became a finalist in the San Diego Book Awards. The book is available on Amazon and Kindle and is an enjoyable read for escaping with fiction in these trying days. Violet Ribbons provides positive, encouraging messages of self-worth, and dignity.

Daniel Macomber, English, 1992 (BA),1997 (MA)

Submitted: August 9, 2020

Daniel Macomber, English, 1992, English, M.A.1997 is the manager of Cornerstone Sober Living at the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission in Santa Barbara, California. Macomber says "COVID-19 has presented many challenges, but they shall continue to be overcome! I am also an independent contractor in the field of educational assessment/measurement. Great memories of my years at HSU!"

Tyler Smurr, Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1995

Submitted: August 7, 2020

Tyler Smurr, Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1995, was recently promoted to Vice Principal for an elementary school in San Antonio, Texas.

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