Alumni Updates
Gordon Dennis Wogan, Biological Sciences, 1970
Submitted: January 20, 2011
After graduation, 3 years in the Coast Guard, an MS degree from UC Davis and work as a technician with the University of Idaho's horticulture program I was hired as a horticulturist with the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture's Nursery and Christmas Tree program. I retired after 29 years with the ODA. I married Patricia Hatfield nine years ago. Together we have 5 children (2 mine, 3 hers) and 3 grandsons. We're enjoying retirement, traveling wood woorking, birdwatching, gardening and anything eles that looks interesting.
Douglas Vogt, Biological Sciences, 1989
Submitted: January 20, 2011
Since graduating from HSU in 1989 with a BS Degree in Biology I have had several jobs, with only one being remotely related to biology (a one year stint at molecular biology lab). Most of my jobs have been in the clinical and immunochemistry chemistry field. For the last 5 years my job as a lab technician and fluid analyst at John Deere in my hometown of Waterloo, Iowa, has been perhaps the most challenging. What I learned at HSU has provided me with the skills to adapt not only changing jobs, but also to jobs as they change. I recently was promoted to Program Manager so I will be given yet another chance to see what other skills I may have learned in college will be called upon to provide me with the ability to perform my new position to the best of my abilities. Just goes to show that a college education can provide you not only with the ability to perform specific jobs, but also the ability to perform many different types of jobs. Thank You HSU!
Eric Friedlander, Geology, 2004
Submitted: January 19, 2011
After graduation I spent three summers working as a hiking/backcountry guide in Skagway, Alaska. I now live in Lake Tahoe and enjoy any and all outdoor activities on a daily basis (especially rock climbing in the summer, and skiing in the winter). I currently work for the City of South Lake Tahoe as the Environmental Programs Analyst. I have also recently become engaged and will be married next August. I'm looking forward to a road trip to Humboldt so I can show my fiance the amazing campus at HSU, the redwoods and the incredible coastline!
Douglas Rischbieter, Fisheries Biology, 1985
Submitted: January 19, 2011
Just comlpeted a career-crowning project: restoration of a degraded wetland site in the middle of the Mount San Jacinto State Wilderness. Coordinating State Park, CCC, Army National Guard, and several vendors' resources, we overcame controversy and successfully implemented a project to repair a rare and fragile montane meadow. To do so required legislation to allow use of heavy equipment for a restoration project in State Wilderness, and we did so with an absolute minimum of public or environmental impact.
Jeffery Newborn, Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1996
Submitted: January 19, 2011
Own A & D Tree Service
Tim Hamaker, Fisheries Biology, 1977
Submitted: January 19, 2011
Has been on an assignment to Southern California since March, 2010 acting as the Environmental Compliance Manager for a 1+ billion dollar wind energy project near Tehachapi-Mojave.
Michael E. Walker, Biological Sciences, 1962
Submitted: January 19, 2011
Nearing the end of my real estate career in the greater Sacramento area. I live on two acres in Auburn with my wife and two Collies. I visited the HSU campus in May 2010, and I participate with the TKE alumni group. College days at HSU were some of the best of my lifetime.
Katharine Goodenough, Biological Sciences, 2000
Submitted: January 19, 2011
I won a two year NOAA NERR graduate fellowship to develop a project working on Gull-billed tern foraging movements and diet at The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve.