Alumni Updates

Claudia Carlson Cottrell

Fisheries Biology, 1974

In 1991 16 years after graduating from Humboldt State, Claudia Cottrell, Fisheries Biology, 1974, graduated from Northwestern Health Sciences University with a doctorate in Chiropractic. After 23 years of running a human chiropractic practice, she went to Options for Animals School of Animal Chiropractic. She now practices exclusively on horses, dogs, cats, and any other animals that are presented to her. Cottrell, says she feels like she has come full circle. She lives in Duluth, Minnesota (her native state) with her husband, Harry Cottrell, who is a native of Arcata, California, and is also a graduate of Humboldt State. They have two adult sons, have always had pets, and still visit Humboldt County.

Christopher Rush

Natural Resources, 1974

Christopher Rush completed hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Mexico to Canada in 2016 after hiking it in sections post retirement. After working the first half of his career with USDA & USDI (USFS-Willamette NF & BLM-Calif. Desert), he spent the last half with the Environmental Office at Edwards AFB, CA. Where Rush retired as Chief of the Conservation Branch in 2005. Married to Carol (Kohlenberger) Rush is also a 1974 HSU Grad.

Richard T Sayre

Biological Sciences, 1974

Richard Sayre was elected to the National Academy of Inventors.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-academy-of-inventors-…

Norm Benson

Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1974

Happily married. Living in N Cal.

Lately been passing along reasonably green thoughts at http://timberati.com

David E. Howell

Forestry & Wildland ResourcesForest Management, 1974

David Howell, Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1974, served in the U.S. Air Force active duty for four years and flew in Phantom F-4C, D, and E primarily out of George Air Force Base. He retired from career civil service after 37 years of active duty with the Bureau of Land Management. Howell's duty stations included, Susanville, California, Roseburg, Oregon, Ukiah, California, Hollister, California, Washington D.C. Headquarters, Vernal, Utah, and Anchorage, Alaska. Positions included entry level Forester, Natural Resource Specialist, Area Manager, District Manager, Branch Chief and Deputy State Director for Resources.

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.

Thomas F. Wuenschell

Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1974

Thomas F. Wuenschell, Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1974, studied Forestry 1972-1974 at Humboldt and got his BS in Idaho later. He retired in 2016 as a forester after more than 30 years with USFS. He has always been a supporter of Save The Redwoods League and is currently on board of directors of his Audubon chapter.

James David Ackerman

Biological Sciences, 1973, 1976

After graduating with a B.A. (1973) and M.A. (1976) in Biology, James ventured to the Deep South for his Ph.D. at Florida State University in Tallahassee, a cultural challenge without a doubt. With a predoctoral fellowship from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, he studied the interactions of orchids and orchid bees in Panama. This was parlayed into a Ph.D. (1981) and a job at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, where I have been teaching and studying ever since, making a career primarily of orchid biology and biological invasions. In 2024, the University bestowed upon him the title of Distinguished Professor, a rare honor for which he is grateful to the people of Puerto Rico, and perhaps interrupted the fossilization of an aspiring academic dinosaur.  

Andre Degeorges

Natural ResourcesDr. Technology, Natural Resources, Tshwane University of Technology, 1973

Andre Degeorges, Natural Resources, 1973, is retired and is living on the Eastern Shore of Virginia hunting & fishing. Degeorges has several publications on researchgate.net under his name that are available to download for free. Publications include a seven volume book on conservation & development in Sub-Saharan Africa, one on the Taliban, many peer reviewed documents, gray literature & PowerPoint presentations on coral reefs, community based natural resource management (CBNRM), dams, wildlife management & hunting issues, and development/foreign aid, etc.

Gary Coyne

Oceanography, 1973

Gary Coyne worked for 40 years as a scientific glassblower, with over 30 years at Cal State University, Los Angeles. While working at CSULA He wrote the book "The Laboratory Companion" and had a wonderful career helping to make both glass apparatus used in general labs and many one-of-a-kind apparatus used by chemists, geologist, biologist, and physicist. He retired in 2015 and since then has gone deeper in his hobby of woodworking and has spent more time on his bike. He also helps Adobe in their forums answering questions on things like Lightroom, Photoshop, Acrobat and other related programs. In addition he still provides support to the national organization ASGS (American Scientific Glassblowers Society).