Alumni Updates

Valerie Pexton

Art, 1986

MA in English, University of Wyoming 2001
MFA Creative Writing, University of Wyoming 2008

Janet Morlan

Geography, 1985

I retired July 1, 2011, and received the best retirement "gift." In May I was flown to Washington D.C. to receive a National Wetlands Award. And it all began at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary many, many years ago. Here's the link to the award information & photos: http://www.nationalwetlandsawards.org/

Ingrid Hart

Journalism, 1985

Do you remember the "Are You A Humboldt Honey" poster from 1983? To commemorate this milestone, Ingrid Hart ('85, Journalism) is reprinting the poster for the first time in 40 years. Visit: www.thehumboldthoney.com. To sweeten this feel-good project, she is donating 25% of the net profits to the North Coast Environmental Center in Arcata. She no longer lives in Humboldt but claims her memories of redwoods, rivers, and the ocean remains with her still. She claims that attending HSU in her early 20s shaped the kind of person she is today and that it was a high-vibration place to learn.

Julie King

Music, 1985

Julie King, 1985, Music, (née Reich) went on to earn a Master's degree in music (choral conducting) but pivoted her career to the nonprofit sector. King is currently vice president of Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group and engages in executive search as well as advising nonprofits on capacity building. She also serves on the Board of Directors of BeadforLife, a social enterprise serving women living in extreme poverty in Uganda. King and her husband, Chuck, live in Redwood City, Calif., where Julie rows on Bair Island Aquatic Center's competitive crew team.

Douglas Harding

Geography, 1985

Douglas Harding, 1985 Geography, has completed 11 years at Hope Flight Foundation as Founder, President, and Chief Pilot. Hope Flight Foundation provides free flights for children with cancer from the small remote towns of California to the specialized cancer hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles area.

Beverly (Freeman) Weber

Journalism, 1985

Completed two masters degrees, one in Adult Education/Distance Learning and one in Psychology; starting Ph.D. program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Joshua McKinney

English, 1984 (BA), 1987 (MA)

Joshua McKinney, English, 1984, wrote his fourth book of poetry, "Small Sillion," which was released by Parlor Press.

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.

Gary "Eduardo" Perless

Geography, 1984

After many years as a public school Science teacher, I'm now teaching Spanish and World Geography/History at a small, university prep school in Poulsbo, WA. West Sound Academy is a good fit for me, emphasizing global citizenship, critical thinking, and service learning--and I can ride the bus to work. I live near Port Townsend, with my wife Jocelyn and children Will(9) and Serena (4). Would love to hear from any Geographers or students who went to Oaxaca in '84.

Gary Perless

Geography, 1984

After an amazing, mind-opening, tongue-training Spring Field Study in Oaxaca, Mexico (1984) with Prof. Hal Jackson, I became smitten with Latin culture, Spanish and the travel bug. These passions combined with mountaineering (NOLS 1986) launched me into two marvelous decades of adventures off the beaten path in Mexico (Old and New), Pacific Northwest, Chile, Argentina, and Europe. Moved to Port Townsend, WA, in 2001, now married, with two kids, working as a teacher of Geography, Spanish, Music, and outdoor education. Glad to hear from classmates, travelers. Find me on linkedin or email directly: geo.teacher@yahoo.com