Alumni Updates

Mark Martinez

Anthropology, 2009

For the past two years I have been advocating and empowering youth to make non-violent, healthy choices as a mentor for the Tariq Khamisa Foundation. Influenced by anthropology of development, I hope to continue my work with non-profit organizations, while attaining my masters in social work.

Sylvia Anne Montgomery

EnglishGerman (double major), 1976

I am celebrating, this year, the 10th anniversary of a magazine I cofounded. BioProcess International is a peer-reviewed trade publication for 30,000+ readers in the biopharmaceutical industry. It's owned by Informa, a company based in London. I work from my small farm in Dexter, OR, where among other things, I provide a home for two or three geriatric llamas at a time.

Gary Sawyer

GeographyCartography, 1980

I worked as a cartographer since graduation in 1980 and for the past 10 years I worked for Pinellas County Florida as Cartographic Cadastralist. I really miss school and the challenges. Humboldt was the best time of my life. I am now 65 and retired. For many years I had my own cartographic business and produced and printed my own maps. For the last 10 years I have been using ARCInfo producing data bases and interactive
maps.

Jennifer Humphreys

Anthropology, 2011

I am currently earning my M.S. in Primate Behavior at Central Washington University, specializing in molecular primatology. Soon I will be heading to the forests Suriname to study gene flow through conservation corridors.

Verena Kellner

Geography, 2001

With work being slow my fiance Mike and I are taking time off to sail our 38' sailboat from Mexico to Australia via the South Pacific Islands. You can follow our journey on our blog at www.pacificsailors.com

Kenneth Shonk, Jr.

History, 1996

I earned my doctorate in Irish History from Marquette University in May of 2010, and upon graduation, accepted a position as Assistant Professor of History and Social Studies Education at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. In addition to courses on global and Irish history, I supervise student teachers and offer courses in the methodologies of social studies education. In 2009 I served as a Research Fellow with the University of Pittsburgh's Institute for Learning.

Gary Perless

Geography, 1984

Two and a half decades after my first immersion in Latin America, I've maintained my Spanish fluency through travel, friendships, and teaching. I earned my M.A. in Geography Education at U of Oregon in 1993. I teach Spanish and World Geogaphy/History at West Sound Academy, a small, private, International School (grades 6-12) in Poulsbo, WA.

I live just outside Port Townsend with my wife, Jocelyn and our children William (9) and Serena (4). I'd love to hear from any fellow Geography or Oaxaca Program graduates.

Melanie Bettenhausen

Sociology, 2005

Promoted to Outreach Director at the North Coast Co-op. Now responsible for Marketing & Membership. I use my background in Sociology (specifically what I learned at HSU) to inform my work in the community around access issues (food, bathroom, exercise, etc.)

Sofia Pereira

Communication, 2009

I recently came back from Washington DC from a political fellowship with the Women's Campaign Fund. I'm now the Deputy Campaign Manager on a Congressional campaign in the newly formed 2nd district.

Beckie Menten

PoliticsM.S. in Environmental Systems, 2007

Beckie Menten works at the California Energy Commission as an Energy Efficiency Specialist. She is currently working on programs to increase the energy performance of residential and commercial properties, including finding financing mechanisms for homeowners.