CPH Celebrates Class of 2023

Under slowly clearing skies (morning fog, no rain), the Cal Poly Humboldt class of 2023 commencement for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences got underway at 9 a.m. on May 13 in Redwood Bowl.

Following the usual welcome messages by Provost Jenn Capps and President Tom Jackson, Jr., an honorary doctorate of humane letters was presented to Jorge Matias, a local advocate and health worker who helps operate the Paso a Paso (Step by Step) program, which offers bilingual information on childbirth, parenting and breastfeeding, and the Paso a Paso Fatherhood Picnic, an annual event geared toward increasing paternal participation.

He is one of only 14 individuals in the university’s history to receive the honor.

For more than 20 years, Matias has worked to improve the health, safety and well-being of Hispanic community members and children diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Humboldt County.

Matias recounted his own journey as an emigrant from Mexico to the United States in 1989 and later earning his high school diploma from College of the Redwoods.

As a father of three, and a parent of a child with IDD, Matias’ struggles to find bilingual support motivated him to create resources for Spanish speakers and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.

In addition, before the waiting students were presented their degrees, Larry Adamson, alumni trustee of the California State University system, offered a message about the number of CSU graduates over the years and Jason Ramos (‘98, Kinesiol- ogy, ‘14 M.S. Kinesiology and the chief executive officer for the Blue Lake Casino and the tribal administrator for the Blue Lake Rancheria) offered the welcome-tothe-alumni message to the soon-to-be graduates.

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The commencement for the College of Natural Resources and Sciences followed at noon and the College of Professional Studies at 3 p.m.

CPH cultural graduation events began on May 11 with the Native Graduation Celebration and Queer Graduation Celebration. The Asian, Desi, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and North African (ADPI+MENA) Graduation Celebration, the Black Graduation Celebration and the Latinx Graduation Celebration were held May 12.

The first-ever CPH Regional Com-

Child Rape Arrest: Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested Lucas William Russell, 21, at his home on the 1100 block of West End Road on May 11 on suspicion of sexually assaulting two girls, ages 9 and 10, who were known to him but not family members.

POSTED 05.11.23 mencement Ceremony at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills on May 8 featured alumni speaker Robin Smith (‘78, Nursing) who is board chair of the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation. During her time at Humboldt, Smith was a member and co-captain of the women’s swimming

Local Student Wins Art Contest: St. Bernard’s Academy junior Trinity Bowie has been named this year’s Second District winner of the annual congressional art contest. The 17-year-old Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria tribal member’s artwork “Balance in Two Worlds” focuses on modern Indigenous culture. POSTED 05.12.23 ncj_of_humboldt and diving team under head coach Betty Partain. Her nursing career in Humboldt County includes working at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka.

— Mark Larson POSTED 05.15.23

Child Pornography Arrest: After a monthslong investigation started through a tip from the nonprofit National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested 31-year-old Brandon Markus Allen Sampanes at his home in McKinleyville on suspicion of felony child pornography possession.

POSTED 05.11.23