Breadcrumb
Alumni Updates
Ann Simas
English, 1971
Humboldt graduate and former Eureka resident Ann Simas (’71, Special Major, B.A., Business/English) announces the release of her latest book, Last Rites, number six in her Andi Comstock Supernatural Mysteries. Other titles in the series are Holy Smoke, Penitence, Angel Babies, Hellfire, and The Wrong Wicca.
For more information about Ann Simas, go to annsimas.com or email ann@annsimas.com. She can also be found on Facebook at Ann Simas, Author.
Alyson Hunter
GeographySocial Science Teacher Preparation, 1993
Alyson Hunter ('93, Geography, Social Science Education) is currently working as a Senior Planner for the City of Marina in the beautiful Monterey Bay area, ancestral lands of the Esselen peoples. She can't wait to move back to Humboldt in a couple of years!
Brian Benfer
Art, 2000
Brian Benfer ('00, Studio Art) was named a Fulbright Scholar and Associate Professor of Art at the Art Academy of Latvia. His research revisits the history of the exchange program between the Art Academy of Latvia and Cal Poly Humboldt, one facilitated by the late Latvian-American Sculpture Professor, Maris Benson. Living in Riga, Latvia during the invasion of Ukraine, he also co-authored a publication with Dr. Courtney Queen on the impact of the occupation on the local community.
Michael Barnes
Communication, 2017
Michael Barnes ('17, Communication) claims it's been a whirlwind since he graduated from Humboldt! Since his formative years as an undergrad studying under the great minds of Joshua Frye, Maxwell Schnurer, Armeda Reitzel, Scott Payton, and Leslie Rossman (now at the University of Denver), he continued to earn a master's degree in Communication from San Diego State University. He is now working toward a Ph.D. in Communication at Ohio University, where he is studying Interpersonal and Organizational Communication from various methodological perspectives. He cannot thank the faculty at Humboldt enough for believing in him and pushing him to go beyond!
Ronald C. Holcomb
JournalismSpecial Major - Journalism, Natural Resources & Biology, 1976
After a 40-year career working for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Washington State Department of Ecology, Ron Holcomb ('76, Journalism, Natural Resources, Biology) wrote a book about his role in protecting the environment. "Constant Chaos - The Daily Battle to Protect the Environment" describes the life of a spill responder that at times is chaotic, difficult, and dangerous, and documents some of the most significant environmental disasters in Washington state. The book is available at: Constant Chaos by Author Ron Holcomb | Gorham Printing
Jenna MacFarlane
Art, 2002
Jenna MacFarlane ('02, Studio Art) moved to the east coast in 2005 and since that time has owned a marketing company. In early 2022, she published her first novel entitled "Hardware Stories," and has since released an award-winning feature called "Adopting Audrey" nationwide.
Stacey Powells
Theatre, 1982
Stacey Powells ('82, Theatre Arts) has published her first book, Empty Cupboards. It's a book of personal essays and an "analysis of the breakdown of a commonsensical, menopausing Leo, living in high altitude where oxygen is scant." The book shot up to #1 on the Amazon Mid-Life Essays category when it launched in September of 2022 and is still in the Top 10. Some of the stories have to do with her time at Humboldt, which was a very important time for her.
Brandon Chapin
Politics, 2010
Brandon Chapin ('10, Politics) was appointed as Legislative and Policy Advisor at the Delta Stewardship Council by Governor Newsom on July 1, 2022. He is responsible for maintaining the Council’s relationship with the State legislature and working on other special projects related to the implementation of the state's Delta Plan.
Jacob Horn
JournalismBroadcast News, 2014
Jacob Horn's (Journalism, '14) magazine that the company he founded, Vivo HealthStaff, has been selected as #231 on the 2022 Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in the United States.
Michael Stockstill
Journalism, 1971
Michael Stockstill ('71, Journalism) has authored a book on the history of the planning and development of the Irvine Ranch. The title is "Transforming the Irvine Ranch", available on Amazon.