Lost Lumberjacks

John Vayo

John Vayo passed away on July 2, 2017. He was entering his last year in the undergraduate Social Work program.

“John struck me as a ‘would give you the shirt of his back’ kind of person—this is not a phrase I use very often—I found that hopeful and inspiring. John was deeply committed to the values and practices of harm reduction and, though he had already done a lot of good, would have gone on to shape our human service community in seriously positive ways,” said Ronnie Swartz, Social Work department chair and a personal friend of Vayo’s.

Vayo will be missed around campus and in the community. He was an avid outdoorsman and volunteered with the Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction. Vayo is survived by his son Aiden. Vayo was 38 years-old.

Michelle Lane

Michelle Lane passed away on August 7, 2017. She was an Associate Professor in the university’s School of Business.

“Michelle was very pleasant and always smiling. She was always helping students and faculty beyond what was necessary,” said Hari Signh, professor and department chair of the School of Business. “Her most important legacy was helping the students succeed.”

Lane helped launch the M.B.A. program for the School of Business five years ago. She was a big advocate for sustainability. Lane loved animals and was on the Board of Directors for the Sequoia Humane Society. She is survived by her husband, three children and three grandchildren.