Breadcrumb
Alumni Updates
Melody Walker
Music, 2008
Music alumna Melody Walker was nominated for a 2025 Grammy Award for Best American Roots song for "American Dreaming," which she wrote with country musician Sierra Ferrell. The song appears on Farrell's album "Trail of Flowers," released in early 2024. The 2025 Grammy winners will be announced on Feb. 2, 2025.
Viola Leone Cottrell Adkins
Music, 1970
V. Leone Cottrell Adkins received her Bachelors (’68) and Masters (’72) degrees in music from Humboldt State. Leone was already a professional musician having played string bass for Portland and Seattle Symphonies as well as being a highly trained opera singer when life‘s turn of events brought her to Humboldt County. At Humboldt, Leone was on staff in the Music department as accompanist and Assistant Opera Workshop Director. Between 2016 and 2019 Leone made several road trips with her daughter to California, documenting the impressive motorcycle racing career of her oldest brother, Jack W. Cottrell.
David Epstein
Environmental Studies, 1983
David Epstein, 1983, M.A. Environmental Education, celebrated his 30th year as President of The land Conservancy of New Jersey by winning the 2024 National Land Trust Excellence Award, the most prestigious honor in this field.
Tim Beals
Geography, 1973
Tim graduated in 1973 with a BA in Geography and was immediately hired by Sierra County, California. Tim and his wife Marcia live in Sierra City (Sierra County) and they have two sons and seven granddaughters, ages three to twelve, all living in Chico. Tim retired in June 2023 after fifty years of public service as a County Official/Administrator overseeing the County Planning and Land Use, Building Inspection, Public Works and Roads, Emergency Services, and Parks and Recreation departments within the County. Now his time is filled with hiking, fishing, travel, granddaughter sports games, wine tasting, concerts, and good friends!
Daniel Gardner
Anthropology, 2013
Daniel completed his Ph.D. in Informatics at UCI in 2021. He served as a Grand Challenges Postdoctoral Fellow at Chapman until June 2024 and now has an appointment as a Lecturer in Computing and Game Design at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, UK. Currently, Daniel's research examines inequitable interactions with digital media and games, and community-driven co-/counter-designs.
Steven Jehly
History, 1974
Steven graduated with a BA degree in History and earned a state Elementary and Secondary teaching certificate. He was immediately hired by the Greater Sitka Borough School District to teach K-8 at a remote logging camp at Corner Bay, Tenakee Inlet, Alaska. He transferred to Sitka after three incredible years. He taught 4th-8th grade elementary and retired from GSBSD in 2001. He took up metal sculpting and in 2005 moved to Orcas Island, Washington. He likes island life.
Victor Hernandez
Art, 2007
Victor Hugo Hernandez ('07), inventor of the ErgoFlex Desk, is excited to announce the upcoming launch of his Kickstarter campaign for the first AI-powered ergonomic desk. The ErgoFlex Desk, designed to sit, stand, tilt, and glide, was inspired by Victor’s passion for innovative design, which began during his time at Cal Poly Humboldt. After moving back to Southern California to care for his mother, Victor returned to school to refine his idea, leading to a patented design that enhances health and productivity. Recently featured on How I Built This, Victor’s journey showcases the impact of Cal Poly’s hands-on learning approach.
Bradley Sabelli
Theatre, 1970
Sabelli recently was elected President of the Arts Council of York County SC. The second largest in the state. Along with this position Sabelli is a Lead Advocate in the South Carolina Alliance government program. He also is the immediate past president of the Catawba River Art Guild in York County. Sabelli serves as a theatre consultant at George Washington University where he holds the position of Professor Emeritus. Brad is still active in designing productions for National touring companies and regional theatre companies. In addition, his studio artworks are on exhibition in several east coast galleries.
Heather Sundblad-Rhoade
Journalism, 2003
Heather Sundblad-Rhoade moved away from journalism and public relations and entered the world of business ownership. She purchased a retail business in August 2022 and has now been the owner and operator of a gift shop - Willow & Ash - in Forest Grove, Oregon, for two years. 2024 has been a year of milestones: She celebrated her 20-year anniversary with her husband and watched her daughter graduate from high school and move on to college to work on completing a degree in welding technology.
Jerry Von Dohlen
Geography, 1998
Jerry helped design, map, and, build the first nationwide wireless internet with Metricom INC. in San Jose, California. Moved back to Humboldt County in 2003 and worked with Center Arts Entertainment (CalPolyHumboldtEvents), the Mateel Community Center on Reggae on the River, and, the Black Oak Ranch coordinating parking and traffic at Pignic, Earthdance, The Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival, and currently Ten Mile Creek Revival. Currently serving as GIS Coordinator for the County of Humboldt, http://gis.co.humboldt.ca.us, providing data and internships to students with the Geospatial Certificate Program. Coordinator of the North Coast GIS Users Group. e-mail ncgisug@googlegroups.com to join.