Breadcrumb
Alumni Updates
Recent Alumni Updates
Nick De Anda
Music, 2023
Nick graduated this past summer with a master's in classical guitar performance from the University of Alicante in Valencia, Spain. He was one of twelve from around the world and one of two from the United States to be selected to attend this intensive, high-caliber six-month program on the gorgeous Iberian coast. Nick was also the founding member of Mariachi de Humboldt, and can now be found volunteering with Guitars4Vets, teaching guitar to local veterans with PTSD, on top of performing and teaching privately near his hometown in Garden Grove.
Captain Paul C. Golden, U.S. Coast Guard Ret.
Fisheries Biology, 1970
Paul joined the Coast Guard, with his marine environmental background was assigned to the White House to draft the first Federal Environmental Impact Statement, for the TransAlaskan Pipeline. He spent two years patrolling the Bering Sea protecting the “Deadliest Catch” fishing fleets. A second White House tour coordinated Pacific Basin interagency drug interdiction operations. Two years in the Persian Gulf/Africa dealing with Pirates, Smugglers & Terrorists. Retired from the Coast Guard, the next 14 years were with the Intelligence Community. Four Masters: Univ. Michigan-Environmental Management, Naval War College-National Security Planning & Risk Management, Salve Regina-International Affairs, CalState Hayward-Government Pandemic Management.
Barry k Avery
Biological Sciences, 1975
Barry became a UCONN Master Gardener after I retired about 25 years ago. Barry says his Humboldt State education was very valuable in obtaining the certification. He has used his Degree in Biology and the MG certification to teach classes for the State of Connecticut and Northeast Organic Farmers Association, and is also one of the three Founders of "The Holcomb Tree Trail, a 120-acre Arboretum here in his hometown, Granby Connecticut. He says his HSU education served him well and has been invaluable to me since his graduation in 1975.
Mellisa Hannum
Journalism, 2005
Mellisa graduated with a B.A. in Journalism in 2005 and Liberal Studies/Elementary Education in 1999. She volunteered at many libraries including the Arcata Branch of the Humboldt County Public Library system. After working in many library roles in Nevada County, she was hired as the Branch Librarian for Coast Community Library in Mendocino County. Mellisa is now the Library Director for Mendocino County's public libraries. She works to support the Library's mission of enriching lives through free and equitable access to materials and programs centered on education, culture, and entertainment.
Melody Walker
Music, 2008
Music alumna Melody Walker was nominated for a 2025 Grammy Award for Best American Roots song for "American Dreaming," which she wrote with country musician Sierra Ferrell. The song appears on Farrell's album "Trail of Flowers," released in early 2024. The 2025 Grammy winners will be announced on Feb. 2, 2025.
Viola Leone Cottrell Adkins
Music, 1970
V. Leone Cottrell Adkins received her Bachelors (’68) and Masters (’72) degrees in music from Humboldt State. Leone was already a professional musician having played string bass for Portland and Seattle Symphonies as well as being a highly trained opera singer when life‘s turn of events brought her to Humboldt County. At Humboldt, Leone was on staff in the Music department as accompanist and Assistant Opera Workshop Director. Between 2016 and 2019 Leone made several road trips with her daughter to California, documenting the impressive motorcycle racing career of her oldest brother, Jack W. Cottrell.
Bill (William) G. Ramos
Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1980
Bill lives in Issaquah, Washington. He has worked for the U.S Forest Service for 30 years and 8 more years with the U.S. Department of Transportation. He was elected to Issaquah City Council in 2015. Then elected to the Washington State House of Representatives in 2018, 2020, and 2022. This year, 2024, He was elected to the Washington State Senate.
David Epstein
Environmental Studies, 1983
David Epstein, 1983, M.A. Environmental Education, celebrated his 30th year as President of The land Conservancy of New Jersey by winning the 2024 National Land Trust Excellence Award, the most prestigious honor in this field.
Tim Beals
Geography, 1973
Tim graduated in 1973 with a BA in Geography and was immediately hired by Sierra County, California. Tim and his wife Marcia live in Sierra City (Sierra County) and they have two sons and seven granddaughters, ages three to twelve, all living in Chico. Tim retired in June 2023 after fifty years of public service as a County Official/Administrator overseeing the County Planning and Land Use, Building Inspection, Public Works and Roads, Emergency Services, and Parks and Recreation departments within the County. Now his time is filled with hiking, fishing, travel, granddaughter sports games, wine tasting, concerts, and good friends!
Stephen Lenzo
Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1980
Steve started his career with the U.S. Forest Service while still a student at Humboldt and retired in 2018 after 40 years. Along the way he worked in five regions, served two years in the Peace Corps, and taught high school in NYC while completing a master's degree in bilingual science secondary education. Steve worked in both National Forests and at Job Corps centers finishing his career in the National Office of Job Corps. Since retirement, Steve has worked as a consultant helping to start Youth Conservation Corps programs in Honduras, Colombia, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Morocco, Guinea, Egypt, and Congo.