Nicholas Brunner was a humble, caring, and free-spirited young man who dared to do what made him happy. He loved the beautiful ocean and its mysteries and found his place on the water. On June 12th, 2020, Nicholas passed away doing what he loved—kayaking and fishing. To honor his legacy and the volunteer citizen divers who recovered him, the family has established the Nicholas Brunner Memorial Dive Award to promote dive education at Cal Poly Humboldt.

The Cal Poly Humboldt Scientific and Leadership Diving Program takes place in the demanding waters of Northern California, providing students with a skill set that extends beyond the underwater world. Students from a wide variety of disciplines are trained in safe practices of SCUBA diving and become adaptive problem solvers who work collaboratively with their peers to safely conduct research, develop leadership skills, and become ambassadors for the future of the ocean. Students train for jobs ranging from underwater researchers, dive industry professionals, aquaria staff, and diving safety officers.

Scuba diving is a thrilling endeavor that requires a significant amount of gear and travel, the cost of which may become a barrier for students. Gifts to this fund will provide much-needed financial assistance for students participating in the Cal Poly Humboldt Scuba Program, making access to the program and the opportunities it offers more equitable for all students. The Nicholas Brunner Memorial Dive Award allows students from varied economic backgrounds the chance to follow Nicholas’ path of ocean exploration and appreciation.