Alumni Updates

James Donlon

Theatre, 1970

James has been working in theatre for 56 years as an internationally acclaimed professional actor and director specializing in physical theatre. He recently founded the international Los Angeles Mime Festival, and this summer is playing the lead role of Macbeth at the Island Shakespeare Festival on Whidbey Island, Washington. Last year, he toured his one-person show to Colombia, Argentina, and Peru. Other recent tours have been in Italy, Spain, Cuba, and the Czech Republic.

David V. Sanford

Wildlife, 1964

After graduation, David went to work with the BLM in several locations as a Range Conservationist, then transferred to the U.S. Forest Service and worked as a Survey Technician, Forestry Technician, Range Conservationist, and Wildlife Biologist. David left the Forest Service to work in the native grass seed industry both as a grower and seller. He left the seed business and worked as a researcher at the Colorado State University Yellowjacket Research Center in southwest Colorado. Seven years later, he took a job with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe as the Range Manager, then as the Agriculture Division Head. He retired in 2006. After retirement, he worked as a carpenter, substitute school teacher, tile setter, and private tour guide at Mesa Verde National Park and other archeological sites in the 4-Corners Country. Since 1971, David has owned and worked on his small farm in Montezuma County, Colorado. David says his years at Humboldt State College were among the best of his life, and he is still in touch with a few of his classmates. He would like to visit the campus someday, but he would surely get lost among all the new buildings that make up the campus today, he says. Go Lumberjacks!

Alessandro Bruno

Geography, 2012

Life since Alessandro's days studying Geography and Chinese Studies at Humboldt has been a bit of an adventure! He's swapped the redwoods for the UK, where he currently works as an Executive Assistant and Project Manager in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA). It turns out that the analytical mindset and curiosity he developed during my geographical research came in incredibly handy when navigating complex university operations and digital projects.

When Alessandro is not keeping things moving on campus, he tends to stay pretty active. He's developed a massive appreciation for food science—whether that’s mastering authentic sourdough, experimenting with fermentation, or prepping high-protein meals to fuel a pretty disciplined fitness routine. On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, he's also an automotive enthusiast with a love for amateur motorsport, so you can occasionally find him working on cars or researching track days.

Living and working in the UK has been a fantastic chapter, and he'd love to connect with any fellow Humboldt alumni who have made the leap across the pond, or anyone working in higher education!

Michael Stockstill

Journalism, 1971

Michael published the second book on the history of the planning and development of the Irvine Ranch in Orange County, California. Title “Irvine Ranch Fulfilling the Vision 1977-2025” 

Nick De Anda

Music, 2023

Nick recently made his on-screen debut as a featured extra on the fifth season of Abbott Elementary on ABC and Hacks on HBO. He shares scenes as a background musician with lead actresses Sheryl Lee Ralph and Jean Smart. You can spot him playing guitar in the season finale of Abbott, "Miami", and episodes 1 and 9 of the final season of Hacks.

With the assistance of his teaching experience at Humboldt and abroad, Nick has been tasked with 12 students at Surf City Music School in Westminster, California. He continues to volunteer teaching veterans at his own branch in Orange County with Guitars 4 Vets and has now graduated 20 students from his ten-week course, who were awarded brand-new guitars. 

Outside teaching, you can find him playing in pit orchestras for musicals, church bands, mariachis, jazz big bands, and performing background music at country clubs, wineries, wedding venues, and private events. Earlier this year, he became a brand ambassador for Alhambra Guitars, a Spanish manufacturer with a rich heritage. Nick can be seen demonstrating their different models on Sweetwater.com.

Paul Andre De Georges

Fisheries Biology, 1972

Paul holds an M.S. degree in Natural Resource Management from Humboldt State University, earned in 1972. His thesis was titled “Feasibility of Artificial Reefs in Intertidal Waters.” In 2006, he completed a Doctor of Technology degree in the Department of Nature Conservation at Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa, with a dissertation titled “A Critical Review of the Western Approaches to Nature Conservation and Development in Africa.”

On ResearchGate, Paul has a profile where one can download a 7-volume book titled "A Critical Evaluation of Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa," published by Edwin Mellen Press, which is essentially his doctoral thesis. Additionally, he has contributed to several peer-reviewed papers and PowerPoint presentations. He also co-authored a book titled "The Development of Taliban Factions in Afghanistan and Pakistan, A Geographical Account," published in February 2010 by Amin, Osinski, and DeGeorges, also from Edwin Mellen Press.

Jon Pede

Environment & Community (Social Sciences), 1990

Dr. Jon Pede retired over a year ago as a middle school Principal. He is currently working as a University Supervisor for Pacific University as a teacher license candidate supervisor supporting special education teachers. He just completed his first book on supporting first year School Principals. He hopes to publish in the coming year. 

Ethan Derner

Film, 1993

Ethan is embarking on his fourth career, following his first three as a motion picture editor, college faculty instructor, and currently a self-employed electrician and carpenter. After an initial open studio experience over 10 years ago, he fully immersed himself in the world of glass in December of 2025. Specifically, he is focused on studio glass art, having received instruction from the University of Oregon and Firehouse Glass. Ethan plans to return to Tacoma, Washington, in May of 2026 for continued private instruction at Area 253, in addition to revisiting the hot shop at the Museum of Glass. His present focus is on creating forms to enshrine the ashes of loved ones. Looking ahead, he has designs for free-form slumped sculptures and large-scale kiln-formed pieces.

Kimberly Nguyen

Philosophy, 2020

When Kimberly was pursuing her BA in Philosophy at Humboldt, her intentions were to continue on to law school to become an attorney. Instead, she made the decision to attend nursing school. Her training in critical thinking made nursing school much easier than she could have imagined. Kimberly now practices as a registered nurse and loves it! She has a feeling that her cravings for knowledge won’t stop here, though. She owes so much to the Philosophy Department for helping her build a solid foundation in her thinking and, consequently, opening her mind to what she can achieve. Kimberly can’t wait to see what the future has in store!

Jonah Simmons

Art, 2021

Jonah Simmons earned a BA in Studio Art with a minor in Art History. He is currently an M.F.A. candidate in Ceramics at Fort Hays State University and will be presenting his thesis exhibition, Vessel of Survival, at the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art from July 14–17, 2026, with a reception on July 17 from 6–8 PM. This body of work explores the human condition through the lens of chronic illness, specifically Jonah's experience with Type 1 diabetes, using ceramic sculpture and experimental glaze processes as a metaphor for internal rupture, adaptation, and survival. See more at www.jonahsimmons.com