Alumni Updates

Thana Brunges

Nursing, Minor in Biology, 1972

Thana Brunges ('72, Nursing) graduated from Mendocino College in 1976 with a degree in Liberal Studies, Santa Rosa Junior College in 1978 with a degree in Registered Nursing, and Sonoma State University in 1987 with a BS in Nursing and PHN in Public Health Nursing.

Dave Albert

Kinesiology, 1994

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.

Mark A Rayner

Kinesiology, 1999

After spending 15 years as a Park Ranger, Mark A Rayner moved on to his final career as Parks and Recreation Exhibit Designer/Builder in a city of one million people six years ago. Rayner's responsibilities include designing creative park features; from graphic design and engineering to signage to restoring historical features to theming entire amusement park rides, this career continues to challenge both his creative and administrative education and backgrounds all while affording his family a life living in the beautiful Redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Kacie Hallahan

Recreation Administration, 2020

Kacie has recently accepted a full-time permanent position with the Air Force in San Pedro, CA. As a Recreation Specialist, she will be planning and leading outdoor recreation programs for military members and their families, including backpacking, rafting, skydiving, deep sea fishing, and more! Thanks, REC fam!

Nicholas Fassl

Recreation Administration, 2019

Nicholas is currently an Afloat Recreation Specialist aka Fun Boss on an aircraft carrier for the US Navy. He organizes daily activities, large events and schedules trips/tours for 5,500 navy sailors and personnel in San Diego & foreign ports.

Alexis Puerto-Holmes

Recreation Administration, 2017

After attending the CPRS conference with the Rec Club at HSU Alexis met with several folks who work at Sonoma County Regional Parks. She had to do her internship in order to graduate and called the people she had met to see about applying, and it was a success! Alexis felt thrilled to start as an intern, was promoted to a Park Aide, and then Park Programs Assistant (PPA), and now a full time Recreation PPA. She has lead a variety of programs for Sonoma County Parks. Alexis really thinks she has the best job- she gets paid to take people kayaking, surfing, hiking, present about inequity in the outdoors, lead outreach, and so much more. She is forever grateful to those at HSU who supported her (shout out to Gen Marchand whoot)!

Joseph estens

Kinesiology, 2013

Jospeh has been working in the legal cannabis industry and has moved up to the buyer level at the company. My recreation degree aided me in having the leadership skills needed for such an important position.

Shannon Barger

Kinesiology, 2014

After 6 years working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, I’ve gone back to get my Master’s in Education from the University of Washington in addition to a graduate certificate in Education for the Environment and Community at Islandwood on Bainbridge Island, WA.

Wendy Woodward

Nursing, Past Nursing Faculty and Chair, Retired, 1969

Jaime Hannans is the contact email and address provided and is next of kin for Wendy.

Obituary: Dr. Wendy L. Woodward RN, PhD, 69, died Sunday at home with her family present after her battle fighting cancer. She was born in Bremerton, Washington, spending nearly all of her adult life in Humboldt County. Wendy was a registered nurse and nursing faculty for Humboldt State University program from 1979 through her retirement as the Chair of the Nursing Program. A celebration of life will be planned in Humboldt County in the near future. Messages, memories, or inquires for Wendy can be sent to jaime.hannans@gmail.com

Erin Guidarelli

Kinesiology, 2014

Erin Guidarelli, Kinesiology, 2014, graduated from Pacific University Master of Athletic Training program in May 2019 with honors and received the Outstanding Graduate Award from the Alumni Association. She earned a M.S. in Athletic Training with a Concentration in Interprofessional Education. Guidarelli also served as Secretary on the Northwest Athletic Trainer's Association (NWATA) Student Executive Board and is currently working on the Public Relations Committee for the Washington Athletic Trainer's Association (WSATA). She worked with the Special Olympics Oregon Unified Basketball Games providing medical coverage for the 2019 season.