Profiles

Darryl Schoen smiles with his arms folded in front of trees and Trinity Hall.

5 Questions with Distinguished Alum Darryl Schoen

One of eight distinguished alumni to be honored the University this fall, entrepreneur Darryl Schoen has never forgotten the value of his Chico Experience.

Fond Farewell: Business Administration Major Tony Mahr

Business administration major Tony Brown loved animals, music, and the Dodgers, and dreamed of becoming a financial planner.

Asa Mittman stands in front of a painting of a monster with a person's feet sticking out of its mouth as humans attempt to stab it.

Making Sense of Monsters

Asa Simon Mittman has been working to legitimize the field of monsters as a worthwhile study for much of his career. It worked.

John Aylworth seated at a table with bottles of serum and several injectors.

Business Alumnus Brings Biotech to Chico

Alum John Aylworth pivoted from orthopedics to his own blossoming biotech company—then moved it back to Chico.

Fond Farewell: Retired University Police Officer Laura Lindstadt-Denney

Outgoing and friendly, Laura Lindstadt-Denney strived to share her passion for human connection with her fellow officers.

San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski celebrates his team's win after the game.

Wondolowski Honored with CCAA Hall of Fame Induction

The Chico State Alumni Association helped recognize Chris Wondolowski’s induction into the CCAA Hall of Fame at Avaya Stadium.

Fond Farewell: Biology Professor Emeritus Doug Alexander

Doug Alexander's greatest passion was vernal pools—one he loved sharing with his colleagues and students well into retirement.

Erin O'Donnell and Steve Vargas stand in a rice field.

Alumni Secure First US Rice Export to China

Alumni Erin O'Donnell and Steve Vargas made US agricultural history in their roles at Sun Valley Rice Company.

Artist Discovers Keys to Healing

Community means everything to alum Jess Mercer. So when the Camp Fire destroyed most of hers, she was driven to help, however she could.

Jacqueline Galimany sits at a table with bone artifacts and a skull, prepared to take notes.

Chile to Chico: Fulbright Student Focuses on Forensic Anthropology

Graduate student Jacqueline Galimany brings passion and perspective to her coursework in forensic anthropology.

Fond Farewell: Social Work Major Mishayla Hamlett

Whether with her sorority sisters in Upsilon Kappa Delta or mentoring students in the Chico Student Success Center, Mishayla Hamlett helped others be their best selves.

Fond Farewell: Retired Admissions Staff Member Mary Kay Bringham

Mary Kay Bringham was known for her dedicated mentorship of student workers, vast friendships, and pride in her Irish heritage.

2019 Hall of Honor Inductees

Meet the 10 retired faculty members that the Emeritus and Retired Faculty and Staff Association's (ERFSA) inducted to the 2019 Hall of Honor.

Cheyenne Arrington flies through the air as she swings from bar to bar at the beach.

Alum Shows Her Skills on ‘American Ninja Warrior’

Whether on the ropes course at Chico State or cliff diving around the world, Camp Fire survivor Cheyenne Arrington (Exercise Physiology, '18) is not one to let obstacles get in her way.

Chico State student Luke LaPlant sits in a popular area with other students studying nearby.

Chico State Students Help with Project Restore Success

Chico State students are learning about a side of criminal justice that no textbook could teach them mentoring for Project Restore.

Siblings Nick, Kayla, and AJ Gonzales wear their Chico State stoles as they stand in front of the boiler-chiller towers that say "Chico State."

The Family That Graduates Together

With three different degrees and three ceremonies, the Gonzales family celebrated a major victory at Commencement as three first-generation siblings became college graduates—all at the same time.

Megan Kurtz stands in front of a building.

Faculty Member Leads as Camp Fire Liaison

As Chico State takes an active role in Camp Fire recovery, someone needs to lead the way: Megan Kurtz accepted the challenge.

Tim O'Shea sprays water on a cylinder of concrete over a metal grate in the concrete lab.

Engineering Student Finds His Footing

From guiding his construction team to a national first-place finish to rebuilding a historic children's playground, double major Tim O'Shea left his mark at Chico State.

Fond Farewell: Retired Sociology Professor Jerry Maneker

A fierce protector of human rights and advocate for inclusivity, Jerry Maneker is remembered for his professionalism and passions.

Fond Farewell: Retired School of Education Dean Ed Miller

After six years as dean, Ed Miller returned to teaching so he could work more closely with prospective teachers and support their future careers.

Portrait of He-Lo Ramirez near the base of a Valley Oak tree.

Roots Resonate with Biology Major

Whether creating a campus native plant garden or researching how the valley oak is adapting to climate change, He-Lo Ramirez is letting his ancestry guide his future.

Katie Rosauer smiles as she poses in front of Kendall Hall.

A Calling to Help

Katie Rosauer found her calling through trial and error. And now that she has, she's committed to helping those around her in need.

A rock inscribed with the words "home sweet home" sits among the rubble of a burnt house, with only the chimney still standing behind it.

From Now On

Five students, faculty, and staff who lost their homes in the Camp Fire share how their lives have changed since that fateful morning. Each has their own challenges and hopes for the future.

A Stronger Sense of Space

Master’s candidate Mary Gibaldi focused her English studies on the subject of space in literary worlds while discovering her own new expression of “home.”

Jaime Valdovinos walks through an outdoor hallway on campus carrying his back and reusable water bottle

Setting an Example

Jaime Valdovinos left his home in Mexico alone at age 17 to pursue an education. Now a first-generation college graduate eyeing law school, he hopes to be an example for his 14 siblings.

Brett Day works on the print making press.

Leaving—and Receiving—a Lasting Impression

A rolling stone most of his young life, Brett Day put down roots in Chico long enough to find a new love: printmaking. Now, he's off to explore again.

Alexa Benson-Valavanis sits in a chair in her light-flooded office.

When Community Calls

The local foundation Alexa Benson-Valavanis shaped to support area nonprofits suddenly went global last fall as one of the main places to donate during the Camp Fire.

Children throw parachute toys off a ledge for Imagineer Day.

Imagineer Day Stirs Young STEM Minds

Led by the Society of Women Engineers, Chico State hosted more than 220 local K-8 students at its seventh annual Imagineer Day.

Campus Advocate and Mentor Leads with his Heart

Kimani Davis II leads by example and is a mentor for diverse communities across campus. But what sets him apart is the care, passion and love he puts into his advocacy.

Class Notes: Spring 2019

For the spring 2019 issue of the alumni magazine Chico Statements, our alums shared their stories of bravery, good deeds, and recovery both during and after the Camp Fire.

Alisha Sharma addresses incoming students at Wildcat Welcome.

Lifting Up Others Through Self-Discovery

Alisha Sharma cultivated a love for new experiences at Chico State—and discovered a talent for leadership along the way.

Fond Farewell: Retired English Professor Elizabeth Singh

Fulfilling a lifelong dream to teach and write, Elizabeth Singh enjoyed cultivating foundational and creative writing skills in her students.

Fond Farewell: Computer Engineering Major Michael Fellis

Reliable, hardworking, and contemplative, Michael Fellis' was seen as a leader by his faculty and peers and often picked first for groupwork.

Fond Farewell: Sociology Major Natalie Kriebel

Natalie Kriebel was studying sociology because she wanted to learn more about the world and help all of life.

Fond Farewell: Retired Psychology Faculty Diane Chatlosh

Retired faculty member Diane Chatlosh, who taught psychology at Chico State for 19 years, passed away April 1. She was 63. Born September 19, 1955 in Menominee, Michigan, she earned her bachelor of science from Northern Michigan University in 1977 and her master’s from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, in 1981. After earning her PhD […]

Caitlin Davis stands and smiles outside the BMU on a cloudy winter day.