Alumni Updates

Don Treasure

Wildlife, 1974

Don Treasure spent 37 years working for and with the federal government as a Biological Technician, Environmental Protection Specialist, and Environmental Specialist. He is now fully retired.

Charles Lamb

Biological Sciences, 1983

After graduation from HSU, Charles Lamb completed a Ph.D. in Neurophysiology at Louisiana State University in 1991. During his doctoral studies he spent one year conducting research at Kagoshima University School of Dentistry in Kagoshima, Japan. He then completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center from 1991-1995. Since 1995, he has been a faculty member at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota. His positions there have included Professor of Biology, Chair of the School of Natural Sciences, and Chief Research Officer for the university.

Robert Miller

Oceanography, Fisheries post grad, 1984

Robert Miller is the Co-owner and CFO of Sea Dwelling Creatures, Inc. (www.seadwelling.com) and founder of The Coral Ark (www.thecoralark.org).

BOB Freeman

Biological Sciences, 1976

I am continuing my writing career.

Vol 3 of H2LiftShips has just been released:
"Gigging the Void"
Available on Smashwords or Amazon

Kent K Willis

Biological Sciences, 1969

Kent Willis, Biological Sciences, 1969, earned his teaching credential the next year at Humboldt State. He taught middle school in Fortuna, California for 42 years, as an 8th grade teacher, basketball and track coach, and vice principal. He earned two master's degrees and a doctorate over these years. His wife Marsha (Gallon), who is also a teacher, graduated from Humboldt State as well. They have two children, one who also graduated from Humboldt State. He retired from teaching in 2013, but has continued to coach 8th grade boys' basketball. A memoir, Teaching 42+, of his years of teaching has been published by Amazon, as has his most recent book, An Auto Biography, that has stories of him driving the bus for biology class field trips at Humboldt State.

Tyler Smurr

Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1995

Tyler Smurr, Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1995, was recently promoted to Vice Principal for an elementary school in San Antonio, Texas.

Jon Mann

Biological Sciences, 2014

Since leaving HSU Jon Mann, Biological Sciences, 2014, has created and launched his own business, a laboratory calibration company.

Bob Freeman

Biological Sciences, 1976

Bob Freeman, Biological Sciences, 1976, retired from his job as a public health microbiologist and lab director but is still writing software for the laboratory information management system. Freeman is now writing SciFi and his work can be found at
www.smashwords.com/books/view/1023599 and www.smashwords.com/books/view/1029727.

Nancy Ross-Flanigan Pokerwinski

Biological Sciences, 1976

After a rewarding career as a science writer for the Detroit Free Press and the University of Michigan, Nancy Ross-Flanigan Pokerwinski, Biological Sciences, 1976, is now focused on writing memoir and fiction. Her memoir, MANGO RASH: COMING OF AGE IN THE LAND OF FRANGIPANI AND FANTA, was published by Behler Publications in 2019, after winning first place in the memoir/nonfiction category of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Awards. Like most authors, she had to cancel or reschedule all the in-person events she had scheduled for spring and summer of 2020, and is exploring options for virtual events. Meanwhile, she is working on a novel about creativity, outsider art, and madness.

David Justice

Fisheries Biology, Criminal Justice, 1995

David Justice, Fisheries Biology, 1995, moved back to southern California after graduating from Humboldt State and worked in retail as a regional ranager for aquatic systems at a large pet retailer. He then went back to school to earn a MBA in Finance. After graduating, he began a career in banking, starting as a teller and working his way up to the executive level. Last November, he was promoted to President/CEO of Alta Vista Credit Union. "Go Jacks!'