Here’s a challenge for you: Try navigating everyday life in Humboldt County without encountering an alum or student of Humboldt State University.

It’s not easy. It might not even be possible, except in the rare case where you absolutely can’t leave the house and don’t happen to live with a student or alum. This has been an interesting discovery during my first year at Humboldt State, and the point was really driven home for me one recent day.

Early in the day, I had to pick up a few things at the hardware store, and was helped by a recent graduate. She has helped me before, and as we chatted, she shared a little bit more about how her first post-college job is going and about her future career plans. Obviously the pandemic is a challenge for recent grads, but she is clearly filled with optimism.

For lunch, I decided to try outdoor dining in Eureka. Our server recognized me, and shared that he is a graduate student at HSU. So naturally, I asked how it was going and about his plans, and he shared a bit about his experiences so far. Then the day wrapped up with a (socially distanced) visit by an alum who was traveling for business. I had met him previously in Southern California, so it was fun to catch up on how he’s been doing.

Granted, that last alum lives elsewhere. But you get my basic point.

Here’s why it’s no surprise you run into so many alumni around the community. According to our data, there are currently about 14,000 alumni living in Humboldt County. The Census Bureau says the county’s population is just over 135,000.

So 1 in 10 people in this county are alumni! And that data doesn’t show how many more attended HSU, have a child who attended or is attending HSU, or are related to an alum.

I know how much our community values these alumni, as well as how eager many people are for our current students and recent alumni to consider staying here. I hear this from community members very frequently, and as a campus we want the same. We are looking for our students to be the future professionals, teachers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who will lead this region into the future.

We will see some of these current students returning to the area in the next few weeks for the start of Fall semester. Others have already arrived, while many others will not return as they continue their studies 100 percent virtually. There will be only a very limited number of face-to-face courses consisting of those that are distinctive to HSU.

For health reasons, about half the usual number of students will live on campus this fall while, as usual, some of our students will live in rentals nearby. About 3,000 students have been here in the region all summer, which is more than usual. This is home to these students. Home.

As we welcome this year’s incoming students, we also checked in with some Humboldt State journalism alumni to see if they could share some advice and encouragement. (It was great seeing what a variety of career paths they have followed!) Here’s what a few of them had to say:

“Welcome Back to HSU! HSU has had such a huge impact in my career, it’s where I fell in love with food photography! Don’t be afraid to follow your passions, college is the best time to explore!” — Esteban Castillo (’15, Journalism), food blogger and cookbook author

“May you find family and wisdom here….You are welcome into our homeland but do not forget to be respectful…..to all, and to place…..

“Take this opportunity to become what you have dreamed of….and remember your ancestors many of whom sacrificed so that you could have this opportunity….study, learn, and be kind….Always remember what you learn must be viewed, and filtered through the values of what constitutes responsibility in family, community, country and world.

The experience, the help, the platform helped me to become, to find my purpose, the reason I was sent/allowed to come to this world.” — Abby Abinanti (’70, Journalism), Chief Judge for the Yurok Tribe

“You are forging a path for students today and in the foreseeable future, and that’s not easy. Stay safe while you’re here — wear a mask and beware of rogue waves. You are learning more than the information you’re studying. You’re learning how to grow in a crisis and you will be the leaders as we navigate tomorrow.” — Susan Seaman (’96, Journalism), Mayor of Eureka

With this community’s help, the generation of leaders, teachers, scientists, artists, legal practitioners, health care practitioners, and all others will find purpose, a home they are proud of, and wisdom to help us improve the world. Simply put, and we have been saying this long before I arrived, “we want people to stay.” Here is our chance, COVID-19 or not. Let’s all demonstrate we meant it and help provide students a positive, meaningful educational experience.

Be well.

Dr. Tom Jackson Jr. is the president of Humboldt State University.