Breadcrumb
Alumni Updates
Dr. Jessica K. Rendon
Environmental Science & Management, 2008
Dr. Jessica Rendon Environmental Science, 2008, recently received her PhD. in Entomology from the University of Idaho. She currently works for the Oregon Department of Agriculture, working to protect Oregon’s agriculture and natural resources from invasive species. She was recently promoted to Japanese Beetle Eradication Specialist. She says: "Experiencing HSU education, student life, and its inspirations greatly shaped my desire for further education, and future career, which I so enjoy. It also made me fall in love with the Pacific Northwest." Starting volunteering experiences at HSU, she continues to volunteer on habitat and riparian restoration.
Jonathan Baer
Environmental Science & Management, 2014
Jonathan Baer, Environmental Science & Management, 2014, got married the year he graduated from HSU. Two weeks after graduating he and his wife moved to Shenyang China where they taught English for a year. This experience convinced him to become a teacher for good. He applied to several schools for graduate programs and eventually decided to go with Southern Oregon University in Ashland. He received his master's degree in teaching with a K-12 teaching license with endorsements in elementary education and secondary social sciences. He subbed for a while and now is starting his second year teaching 6th grade in Baker City, Oregon. We also had a daughter Isabella in October of 2017 who just started walking this last weekend.
Julia Clark
Environmental Science & Management, 2015
Julia Clark, 2015 Environmental Science & Management, was elected to the board of directors of the Society for Conservation GIS, a non-profit organization that assists conservationists worldwide in using geographic information systems through communication, networking, scholarships, and training.
Dani Burkhart
Environmental Science & Management, 2013
Dani Burkhart, 2013 Environmental Science & Management, led Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Congressman Jared Huffman, Board of Equalization Members Fiona Ma and George Runner, Asm. Jim Wood and the Blue Ribbon Commission on a fact-finding tour of Humboldt County's Medical Cannabis farms and industry. Following that work, Emerald Heritage Farms was launched as a consulting firm to help the area's heritage cannabis farmers come into compliance with changing laws and regulations. Recently, Burkhart helped launch of the first Humboldt County Cannabis Chamber of Commerce building bridges between cannabis and non-cannabis based businesses in Humboldt County.
Adam Gabriel Peretz
Environmental Science & Management, 2008
Adam Gabriel Peretz, 2008, Environmental Science & Management, now goes by Fagbemijo Amosun Fakayode, following his initiation to the Ifa religion in Nigeria. Fagbemijo was married in June to Oyaseye Fakayode. Oyaseye gave birth to their first-born son, Famarada Ojo Fakayode, on October 3rd, 2012. In, Oyeku Ofun Temple, the home of worship Fagbemijo and Oyaseye founded together, moved to Arcata, CA. In April, Fagbemijo returned to Nigeria for the fourth time to be installed as a traditional chief of Ifa with the title Otun Amufawuni of Ibadan Land, meaning "the one who holds the love of Ifa". Ifa is the traditional religion of the Yoruba people.
ADAM GABRIEL PERETZ
Environmental Science & Management, Marine Ecology, 2008
I went to Ibadan, Nigeria in January 2011 where I was initiated to Ifa, traditional West African Religion. Through Ifa initiation, I have shed my old self and have even been given a new name, Fagbemijo Amosun Fakayode. I since have returned twice to research and study Ifa as well as to bring other people to do their own initiations and other rituals.
My wife, Oyaseye Fakayode, a priestess of Oya, and I have formed Oyeku Ofun Temple, a traditional Ifa and Orisha temple based in Northern California. The temple serves many devotees.
I have written two books on Ifa religion thus far, "All Days Are Sacred" (2011) and "Ori Mi Gbe Mi: Ori, Support Me" (2012), both published by Oyeku Ofun Temple.