Achievements

Stephanie Buck

History

History major Stephanie Buck is the 2014 recipient of the $500 William R. Tanner History Scholarship. The scholarship was established in memory of William R. Tanner, professor of history at Humboldt State University from 1970 to 1999, founder of History Day and author of “A View from the Hill,” a history of Humboldt State University.

Sydney Hinton

History

History major Sydney Hinton was selected by History Department faculty as the 2014 recipient of the Dr. John Hennessey Award, which honors a graduating history major who has demonstrated academic excellence in the study of history. The award was established in memory of Dr. John Hennessey, a professor of History and department chair at Humboldt State University who, after his retirement from the History Department, provided many years of service to the university.

James Garrison and Echo Aloe

History

History majors James Garrison and Echo Aloe were awarded first and second place, respectively, in the 2014 Charles R. Barnum History Contest, with their combined cash prizes totaling $1,750. The Barnum History Awards celebrate original historical research of Humboldt County. The awards were established in 1952 by a grant from Charles Barnum, a realtor and insurance broker in Eureka who was a member of the Humboldt State College Advisory Board from 1946 to his death in 1953.

Garrett Highland

History

History major Garrett Highland is the 2014 recipient of the $1,000 Johnston-Aronoff History Scholarship, which is awarded to a History major with an emphasis in the study of California and/or the western United States. The award was established by Guy Aronoff, a lecturer in the HSU History Department, and his wife, Judy Johnston, in memory of Guy’s father, David Aronoff, and Judy’s mother, Aldy Johnston.

Sam Sonntag

Politics

Sam Sonntag recently signed a book contract with McGill-Queen’s University Press for a forthcoming volume entitled "State Traditions and Language Regimes" that she has co-edited with Linda Cardinal of the University of Ottawa. In addition to the co-editing, Sonntag and Cardinal co-authored the introductory chapter situating language policy studies in the discipline of political science. Sonntag also contributed a chapter entitled “State Tradition and Language Regime in the United States: Time for Change?” based on her experience serving as a member of the Group of Advisors for the U.S. Government’s National Security Education Program from 2006 to 2009.

Paul Cummings

Music

Music professor Paul Cummings presented a clinic to the San Francisco State University Wind Ensemble April 3 on the SFSU campus. Responding to an invitation from the group's director, Dr. Martin Seggelski, Cummings gave a 90-minute clinic in which he illustrated concepts of phrasing, balance, and awareness of musical roles while he conducted Alfred Reed's composition "Second Suite for Band."

Michael S. Bruner, Laura K. Hahn, Nicole B. Sheldon

Communication

Michael S. Bruner, Laura K. Hahn and Nicole B. Sheldon had their essay, “The Petition Clause and Food Advocacy" published in First Amendment Studies, Vol. 8, Issue 1 (2014): 61-76. The essay explores California Proposition 37 (for labeling GM food), presents a model of "petition" and breaks new ground by expanding First Amendment studies beyond "freedom of speech."

Mark Larson, Professor Emeritus

Journalism & Mass Communication

Journalism professor emeritus Mark Larson’s photography exhibit, “60 and Older….Working Out” will be on display at HealthSport in Arcata throughout April. Portraits of people aged 60 and older exercising represent the first phase of a project Larson hopes to expand into an in-depth photo essay.

“As a Baby Boomer myself now at age 66, I’ve been inspired by and enjoyed interacting with many 60-and-older persons working out at HealthSPORT over the past 15 years,” Larson said. “Listening to their stories has led me to want to explore common issues and experiences related to aging.”

Larson taught a variety of classes, including photojournalism, at HSU from 1975-2013. He also served a stint as chair of the Department of Journalism & Mass Communication.

“I plan to photograph more persons at different times of the day doing different activities at a variety of venues,” he said. “I also plan to begin collecting stories from members of the “Silver Tsunami” about why they work out.”

Dr. Daniela Mineva

Music

Music Faculty Daniela Mineva recently performed solo piano recital at the University of North Texas on their concert series "Distinguished alumni from UNT." She also presented piano and contemporary music master classes and concerts at the University of Arlington, Texas and University of North Texas. As part of her Texas music tour, Dr. Mineva judged the International Concerto Piano Competition in Lewisville, TX.

Recently, she has also judged and conducted workshops at the Northern California CMEA Choral Festival in Arcata, CA.

Rae Robison

Dance, Music & Theatre

Theatre, Film & Dance faculty member Rae Robison is the featured "Artist of the Month" in the inaugural Small Town Big Art Calendar available in retail outlets all over Humboldt. Alongside artists like Peggy Louden, Laurel Skye, and Duane Flatmo, Rae showcases her costume designs from last year's production of "Hater" directed by Michael Fields. Proceeds from the calendar sales benefit local arts organizations.