Breadcrumb
Alumni Updates
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 Resources, Dr. 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.
Ed Gullekson
Oceanography, 1973
After graduation Ed Gullekson, Oceanography, 1973, joined the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a commissioned officer where over six years he served on three different ships and at a NOAA fisheries lab at Tiburon, California. He then earned a master's degree in management science. From there he spent the next 30 years as a management consultant and executive coach. During that time he continued to scuba dive, enjoying the underwater world as a hobby. On retiring in 2014 he started volunteer scientific diving in Puget Sound for the University of Washington, helping on a variety of projects. One in particular, Sea Star Wasting Disease, he has contributed many hours of underwater observation. You can see his observations on his youtube channel.
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).
Dr. GAry Joseph Stebbins
Wildlife, 1972
Gary Joseph Stebbins, 1972, Wildlife, has reentered the world of public education as principle of the Greenville, Calif., and Taylorsville, Calif., elementary schools after a career in public education as a teacher and administrator, and then professor of Educational Leadership at San Jose State University. Stebbins and his wife Maureen (a Humboldt alumna) built their retirement home at Lake Almanor, Calif., with the help of family. Stebbins enjoys his "born again" role as principal and Maureen also volunteers at the schools several days a week.
Mary Katherine Wicksten
Biological Sciences, 1972
Mary Wicksten, 1972 Biological Sciences, is a Professor of Biology at Texas A&M University, College Station, and just published her book "Vertical Reefs: Life on Oil and Gas Platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.” Published by Texas A&M University Press, it is the only non-technical book on the subject. The illustrated book discusses the biota of these structures, its origins, and what happens to these organisms over the lifespan of a platform. A copy is on its way to the Humboldt Library.
Theodore "Ted" Smith
Geology, 1972
Following a 30-year career with the State of California, Ted Smith retired as Supervising Geologist with the California Geological Survey in 2001. Since then he earned a PhD in Education (Specialization: Teaching & Training Online) and for 18 years has taught courses online, mostly with Baker College (located in Michigan). In 2019, Ted moved to Whidbey Island, Washington and recently was appointed to the Board of Directors of Geology in the Public Interest, a nonprofit that focuses on use of geology for the public good in sustainable ways.
Michael M O'Boyle
Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1971
Michael O'Boyle, Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1971, spent 16 years with the USDA Soil Conservation Service, and ended up as a district conservationist. He then served in New Mexico and California. Afterward, O'Boyle completed 20 years with the Madera County Animal Control Department in California, retiring in 2010.
Richard Mattson
Fisheries Biology, 1971
Richard Mattson, Fisheries Biology, 1971, retired after 30+ years with Douglas Island Pink & Chum, Inc. (DIPAC) in Juneau Alaska. DIPAC is a major producer of hatchery chum, king, and coho salmon in southeast Alaska. He began in fish culture there and then spend most my career as an aquarist maintaining the visitor center marine aquariums and conducting our education programs. He still works part-time maintaining aquariums on contract to the NOAA Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute in Juneau. He also volunteers for various organizations and will be continuing to do more with his extra time. Travel with his wife Peggy is definitely on tap, and he also just enjoys reading, learning Finnish, and outdoor activities.
Mry K. Wicksten
Biological Sciences, 1970 (B.A.), 1972 (M.A.)
Mary Wicksten is a Professor of Biology at Texas A&M University. She just finished her major publication, "Decapod Crustacea of the Californiana and Oregonian Zoogeographic Provinces", Zootaxa 336=71, 307 pages long. This monograph contains keys, illustrations, short descriptions and information on range, depth, habitat and living color for all crabs, shrimps and lobster-like species, freshwater or marine from the shore to the abyss from Washington to mid-Baja California. Yes, I am sending a copy to the Humboldt Marine lab!