Eli Otto Cutting is starting his freshman year at Humboldt State University and plans to pursue a degree in Wildlife. “I found that Humboldt was one of the few California schools to offer Wildlife, and it’s one of the best programs in the nation.”  Eli’s passion for wildlife started young and he has been volunteering at the Sacramento Zoo since he was thirteen years old. This opportunity has allowed him to run activity stations for zoo visitors and lead animal encounters with the zoo’s animal ambassadors.

Wade Ingersoll is a Biology Major entering his senior year. Wade was born and raised in Humboldt County and started his freshman year at HSU when his brother was in his senior year. “Humboldt State has always been a place that felt like home to me, from growing up here, to my childhood friends attending with me, to the faculty being so supportive and helpful.” Wade said he appreciates the time and effort his academic advisor put in to help him decide which degree to pursue.

Katelyn Dendas is starting her freshman year at Humboldt State University and is excited to follow in the footsteps of her mom, dad, aunt, and uncle who all earned degrees from HSU. Katelyn plans to pursue a degree in Environmental Science & Management so she can make a positive impact on governmental policy in regards to preserving the environment.  “I plan to learn as much as I can at Humboldt State, so that I can share and use my knowledge to help my community and this planet we call earth.” Katelyn has also been signed to HSU softball and is very excited to be a part of the 2018 team.

Kenneth Michael Davis is a Business Administration major in his sophomore year. He was inspired to pursue this degree at HSU because his father earned the same degree in 1985. Kenneth feels his education at HSU has improved his leadership skills and helped him in the areas of communication, writing, marketing, accounting, computer systems, economics, finance, and management. “Overall HSU has been a wonderful experience for me. I have learned responsibility, compassion, and dedication. I look forward to graduating from Humboldt State University and am proud to call HSU my college.”

Jacob Goodbrod, a native of Humboldt County, is an avid surfer with a deep passion for exploring waves along the remote coastline. He also enjoys meditation, woodworking, backpacking, and guitar playing. Jacob's positive experiences taking classes at Cal Poly Humboldt as a high school student led him to choose the University for his psychology degree, allowing him to stay close to his family and community. His interest in psychology stems from a curiosity about the mind and human consciousness, nurtured through his Buddhist studies. Through his journey at Humboldt, Jacob seeks personal growth and meaningful connections while fostering his passion for learning and helping others.

Mary Elise Conzelmann has been taking part in HSU’s community offerings since she was a young child. During elementary school, field trips brought her to the biology and history departments and she was a regular visitor to the Van Duzer Theatre and the MultiCultural Center’s Lunar New Year Celebration. As a student in HSU’s recreation administration program, Conzelmann says she is surrounded by people who support her education and she looks forward to giving back to the next generation of students.

Benjamin Osborne's diverse upbringing in various places fueled his passion for creativity and the outdoors. As a storyteller, he aims to express his narratives through visual storytelling in filmmaking. Despite challenges as part of the LGBT community and facing financial constraints, Benjamin is determined to break film industry barriers and provide opportunities to aspiring filmmakers from diverse backgrounds. In his final semesters at Humboldt, the scholarship support brings comfort and allows him to focus on his studies, graduate, and fulfill his dream of creating impactful stories.

Marghalera Komak is following her two older brothers’ as an HSU student studying cellular molecular biology. She wants to focus her career on delivering affordable healthcare to Humboldt County and her ethnic homeland, Afghanistan. Komak credits HSU for providing her with the tools and guidance to develop her passions. She discovered a deep interest in dentistry and hopes to attend dental school after graduating.

Alexis Fierro, a native of Oxnard, California, developed a passion for biology at a young age, which started with a fascination for bugs and expanded to include a variety of animals. When choosing Cal Poly Humboldt for its beautiful surroundings and Zoology program, Alexis eagerly embraces many available courses. While unsure of future career plans, he aims to use knowledge to enhance personal hobbies and may pursue a master's degree in research. Receiving a scholarship provides relief and support as he navigates independence away from home. Alexis's journey is driven by curiosity, a love for animals, and an unwavering appreciation for nature's wonders.

As the daughter of two HSU alumni, Caroline Ristuccia came to HSU with stories of ultimate disc and Don’s Donuts. Ristuccia, a first-time freshman in Fall 2017, will join the Wildlife Management and Conservation program. She looks forward to the hands-on learning and classes filled with real-world experiences. A Northern California native, Rustuccia is also eager to take part in the adventures Humboldt State and Arcata have to offer.