Robert “Bob” Archibald (‘59, Forestry) has gifted $30,000 to establish the Archibald Forestry Pathfinders Scholarship Endowment—creating lasting support for Forestry students and honoring a legacy that began more than 70 years ago at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Long before he became one of the first graduates of Cal Poly Humboldt’s Forestry program, Archibald was a high school student in Ukiah with no clear path forward. That changed after a chance introduction to Humboldt.

“I had no immediate plans for my future, but the two-year Forestry program caught my eye after seeing a description of the Forestry-Lumbering program after a performance from Humboldt’s Theatre Department at my high school,” Archibald recalls.

Soon after graduating from high school, Archibald landed a job with a local consulting forester. With a few paychecks saved, he made a life-changing decision: to enroll at Humboldt. 

Bob and Margaret Archibald

“I had been working in the field, and Humboldt gave me the opportunity to turn that experience into a career,” Archibald says.

When Archibald arrived on campus in 1954, the Forestry program was still in its infancy, with just two professors and a small cohort of students. What it lacked in size, it made up for in hands-on learning and access to the surrounding working forests.

“One major advantage of the college was its proximity to logging operations, forests, and native plants,” Archibald says. “We had weekly field trips. You learned by being out there.”

Archibald’s practical experience quickly set him apart. He worked as a lab assistant to Forestry Professor Ed Pierson, contributed to classroom materials, and earned scholarships from logging companies where he worked that helped cover essential costs.

In 1957, Humboldt expanded its program to offer a four-year degree in Forest Management. Archibald was among the first to take that step, becoming part of the inaugural graduating class in 1959.

“I’m sometimes referred to as the first Forestry graduate—alphabetically,” Archibald jokes. “I assure people it has nothing to do with my GPA.”

That degree became the foundation for a lifetime of service. Archibald went on to serve as a naval reserve officer, retiring as a commander after 24 years, and built a 33-year career with the Bureau of Land Management, overseeing vast landscapes across the West.

“I recognize that my careers, both military and civilian, would not have been possible without my Humboldt degree,” Archibald says. “The foundation of my success started there.”

Years later, Archibald found himself returning to Humboldt—not as a student, but as a steward of its future. His commitment to scholarships began through volunteer work supporting students and military families. In 2013, he helped organize the Pathfinders Commemorative Scholarship to honor his graduating class.

Now, with the creation of the Archibald Forestry Pathfinders Scholarship Endowment, Archibald and his wife, Margaret, are ensuring that support will continue for generations.

“The main intent is to create a legacy for my family and me,” Archibald says. “I want to make sure this opportunity continues.”

The endowment will provide annual scholarships to Forestry students in perpetuity, helping them pursue the same kind of education that shaped Archibald’s life.

“I hope it gives students the support they need to stay focused on their studies and their future,” he says. “Even a small amount can make a big difference.”

For Archibald, giving back is both personal and purposeful. It’s a way to honor the past while investing in what comes next.

“What does it mean to give this kind of support? It means helping someone else find their path, just like I did,” Archibald says. 

You can help students find their path, too. Make a gift to support scholarships and hands-on learning opportunities at Cal Poly Humboldt. Contact the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation at giving@humboldt.edu or (707) 826-5200 to learn more.