Give Back

Caroline Ristuccia, Fall 2017 Recipient

As the daughter of two HSU alumni, Caroline Ristuccia came to HSU with stories of ultimate disc and Don’s Donuts. Ristuccia, a first-time freshman in Fall 2017, will join the Wildlife Management and Conservation program. She looks forward to the hands-on learning and classes filled with real-world experiences. A Northern California native, Rustuccia is also eager to take part in the adventures Humboldt State and Arcata have to offer.

Marghalera Komak, Fall 2017 Recipient

Marghalera Komak is following her two older brothers’ as an HSU student studying cellular molecular biology. She wants to focus her career on delivering affordable healthcare to Humboldt County and her ethnic homeland, Afghanistan. Komak credits HSU for providing her with the tools and guidance to develop her passions. She discovered a deep interest in dentistry and hopes to attend dental school after graduating.

Chantry Johnson, Spring 2016 Recipient

Chantry Johnson is looking forward following her grandfather’s footsteps by earning a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. As a seventh generation Humboldt County resident, Johnson feels deeply connected to the area. She’s volunteered with Hospice of Humboldt and worked as a certified nursing assistant in local nursing facilities. She’s currently an intern with St. Joseph’s Hospital’s cancer support program. After graduating, Johnson plans on earning a master’s degree in social work, focusing on gerontology.

Jacqueline R. Farrington, Spring 2016 Recipient

While majoring in Geography and Anthropology, Jacqueline Farrington says Humboldt has become a home, school, and community. She values the unique perspectives her classmates offer and values the support and guidance HSU’s alumni provide.

Morgan Saveliff, Spring 2016 Recipient

Morgan Saveliff makes the most of her time at HSU by taking advantage of all that campus has to offer. She has been a volunteer with the Youth Education Services (YES) Study Buddies program, and she participates in Center Activities’ outdoor offerings. As a Sociology major, Saveliff knows the importance of learning about new cultures and plans to study in Spain this summer with the Spanish language program.

Grace Douglass, Spring 2016 Recipient

As a student in the International Studies program, Grace Douglass is following her grandmother’s path in becoming part of the HSU community. Through volunteer work with the YES Program and serving with Associated Students, Douglass supports students from the elementary school level to her fellow classmates. She’s also part of the MultiCultural Center and the Learning Center. Recently, she became part of the Associated Students Lobby Corps and is a student ambassador in the Center for International Programs.

Aedan McCluskey, Spring 2015 Recipient

Aedan McCluskey, the daughter of an HSU alumna, has loved learning about animals since she was a child. By volunteering at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo and working in a veterinary office, McCluskey pursued her dreams of workingprofessionally with animals even before attending HSU.At the urging of her mother, who fondly remembers earning her Recreation Administration degree, McCluskey enrolled in HSU's wildlife program. She's also earning a minor in Spanish and hopes to enter a career protecting and conserving wildlife.

Shawn Thompson, Spring 2015 Recipient

Shawn Thompson, also the daughter of an HSU alumna, has spent more than a decade involved in the welfare of her community in both public schools and mental health. She is currently at work on a Master’s of Social Work degree.. Thompson is actively involved with Hospice of Humboldt and is developing ways to train grief-support volunteers as her capstone project.As a social worker, Thompson aims to build on her teaching experience and expand her problem solving skills by working with families to develop secure relationships, supportive environments, and a more resilient community.

Laura Kiewel, Spring 2014 Recipient

Laura Kiewel, a major in Psychology, was moved to return to school and focus on her career after witnessing her uncle complete his degree following a lay off nearly 10 years ago. Now, Kiewel is poised to enter her senior year with a near-perfect GPA as she works on earning a bachelor’s degree in the Academic Research Developmental psychology program at HSU. Kiewel supports her academics by working as both a teaching and research lab assistant while maintaining a part time job off campus. After earning her degree, Kiewel plans on attending a Ph.D. program in Human Development where she’ll research positive interventions in early child trauma.

Tyler Warren, Spring 2014 Recipient

After seeing campus on a tour with his aunt—a 1970 sociology grad—nearly five years ago, Tyler Warren has been waiting to transfer to the HSU campus ever since. The Napa-valley native was immediately attracted to the open and accepting campus culture and set his sights on attending HSU after completing three years at a junior college.Seeking a career that is both rewarding and meaningful, Warren enrolled in HSU’s Elementary Education program. Since then he’s been able to volunteer in a local kindergarten classroom and has joined the Student California Teachers Association.To enhance his teaching career, Warren plans on becoming fluent in Spanish and hopes to go abroad to teach English after graduating in 2016. Warren also plans on earning a teaching credential at HSU.