Alumni Updates

Laurie Brown

Psychology, 1983

My True Crime book, Stand-Up Guy, is available in ebook format on amazon.com.

Stories of sex, drugs and violence are told by a guy who did it all -- except rat on his friends. Nostalgic, blunt, touching and brutal, it's a fast-paced journey into and out of the days and nights of a street level gangster. From jacking the pumps at the local Texaco to disappearing owing the mob money, this is a true story of twenty years on the streets of Brooklyn and Long Island selling drinks, women and drugs along the way.

The story is a fast drive that starts with recruitment by Tommy Toupee and speeds straight into the dark nights and early morning hours of hardcore gangster life.

Cathryn Halvorson Rudolph

PsychologyRecreation, 1980

Well, here we are in 2011. It has been 30 years since Dan and I attended Humboldt State when the Governor was Jerry Brown. This year we have a special treat of BOTH daughters attending HSU. Hollund graduating in May and Lauryl just starting last August. Both pursuing a science track. Both enjoying all that Humboldt has to offer. Lauryl has filled her need for Nordic speed with the new challenge of HSU Women's Crew. The commitment level so high but like the Junior Olympian that she is, she is meeting it full speed ahead. Hollund's graduation looms large and we discover that Jerry Brown will also be signing her diploma when she walks with her class in May. Funny how history repeats itself in such beautiful and unexpected ways.

Lynnette Zelezy

Psychology, 1979

Lynnette Zelezy, 1979, 1981 Psychology, was recently named provost and vice president for academic affairs at Fresno State University. Zelezy is a 25-year veteran of Fresno State, having previously served as a professor and psychology department chair, and associate dean for the Craig School of Business, dean for global education, and, most recently, associate provost. Zelezy also serves on the board of the United Way and is a member of the Fresno Rotary. She is married to John Zelezny, senior vice president of communications at Community Medical Centers. The Zeleznys have three grown children.

Jean McGurk

Psychology, 1974

I have been selling real estate as a Realtor-Broker in Stockton since 1985. I am a CDPE Certified Distressed Property Expert working with CENTURY 21 Exchange Realty. Stockton has been in the top 5 of the nation for the last several years for having lots of Foreclosures. There are great deals to be had here. My sister Mary Conway class of 1972, also graduated from HSU with a Biology degree & resides in Monterey. Her son John Conway just graduated from HSU with a business degree 2009. We have relished our introduction to the great outdoors & still hook up with our Humboldt buddies regularly. A core group of 30 HSU friends has met at an annual campout reunion for over 30 years. Some of our best friends are alumni.

Vicki Bugbee-Reed

Psychology5h year - education - Early Childhood Ed., 1974

Vicki Bugbee-Reed, Psychology, 1974, retired in 2009. She taught in Australia, right from HSU for three years and taught in Oregon most of the remaining years (almost 30 total) before retirement. She sailed a sailboat for six years from Newport, Oregon to Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Jay Earl Peterson

Psychology, 1972

Jay Peterson has been retired for twenty years now and is loving it. He spends most of his time reading and hopes to get more active again once his hips heal and his spinal injuries get better. For the most part, he's been touring the USA on his Gold Wing motorcycle and enjoying his time with his grandchildren.  

Rick M. Gardner

Psychology, 1965

After graduation, Rick Gardner ('65, Psychology) attended the University of Nevada Reno where he received his Ph.D. in psychology in 1969. He was a professor and department chair at two universities, most recently at the University of Colorado Denver. His research emphasis was on body image and retired in 2010. In recognition of Humboldt's many contributions to his journey into academia, Rick recently funded three annual scholarships for psychology undergraduate majors who are assisting psychology faculty in their research. He is most grateful for his experiences and the mentorship he received at Humboldt State. 

Rick M. Gardner

Psychology, 1965

Rick met the woman of his dreams in graduate school. They were married in 1967. Their happy marriage lasted 50 years until her death in 2017. Rick has 2 children, a boy and a girl.

Rick M. Gardner

Psychology, 1965

Rick M. Gardner, 1965 Psychology, received his M.A. (1967) and Ph.D. (1969) from University of Nevada, Reno in experimental psychology. He served as Professor and Department Chair at the University of Southern Colorado from 1969 to 1991, and later as Professor and Department Chair at the University of Colorado, Denver, from 1991 to 2000. Gardner has published extensively in several areas of psychology with particular emphasis on the topic of body image. He retired in 2003 and has travelled extensively in 90 countries.

Ronald Lee Kramer

PsychologyAccounting, 1965

Still raising horses, sheep and alfalfa.