As RMBL’s Centennial in 2028 approaches, we are proud to share a grassroots effort—RMBL Friends and Alumni—created to strengthen connections across generations of scientists, caretakers, students, staff, and community members who have shaped RMBL into what it is today. 

The Mission 

The mission of RMBL Friends and Alumni is simple but powerful: 

To cultivate lasting connections among RMBL alumni across generations, honoring our shared history, celebrating present contributions, and fostering future collaboration. Through engagement, mentorship, and storytelling, we strengthen the bonds between people and place, ensuring that the spirit of discovery at RMBL thrives for years to come. 

This effort is chaired by Alison Brody, who is joined by several scientists, students, and caretaker alumni who share a deep passion for RMBL’s legacy and future. Together, the group is working to ensure that alumni voices, stories, and contributions remain central to RMBL’s continued impact. 

Stories That Shape RMBL 

With our Centennial just a few years away, now is the time to reconnect. RMBL Friends and Alumni is a way for our community—past and present—to celebrate the transformative stories that make this place so special, while also looking ahead to the next hundred years. RMBL has never been just a field station; it is where people have discovered themselves, found professional direction, and experienced life-changing moments through science, education, and community. As we step into the future, this group will shine a light on alumni features in newsletters and communications, keeping alive the stories that inspire us all. At the same time, it will remind us of RMBL’s enduring role in advancing world-class science, nurturing mentorship and professional growth, providing hands-on education that sparks curiosity, and offering a true “home” where friendships, families, and lifelong connections are built. By honoring our past and strengthening our future, RMBL Friends and Alumni will help carry the spirit of this place forward for generations to come.

Looking Toward the Centennial 

As we move closer to our 100-year celebration, we are planning events that will bring people back to Gothic and into connection with each other. Several groups will soon be marking their 50-year anniversaries, while others are organizing reunions to celebrate shared experiences and return to the place where it all began. 

With the launch of RMBL 365, we now have new spaces to bring alumni and friends together year-round. Whether through workshops, gatherings, or Centennial celebrations, we are creating more opportunities to reconnect with RMBL’s past, engage in its present, and help shape its future. 

RMBL Friends and Alumni: How You Can Get Involved 

RMBL Friends and Alumni is not just a name—it’s a call to action. This is your opportunity to engage or reengage with RMBL: 

• Share your stories for upcoming newsletters and communications—how has RMBL shaped and transformed your life, in what ways have you supported and contributed to RMBL, and what are you most proud of? Tell us your stories, tell us your narratives! (click here for link) 

• Join us for alumni events leading up to the Centennial—we will be in touch over the coming months with more details. 

• Reconnect with old friends and welcome new generations of RMBL friends and alumni through revitalized annual events. 

If you are a voting member, we will reach out to you this fall for voting and election information. 

By stepping into this renewed alumni effort, you help carry forward the legacy of curiosity, discovery, and stewardship that has defined RMBL for nearly a century. 

Let us know how you would like to get more involved with RMBL! (click here for link) 

Join Us 

We invite all alumni and friends—whether you were here for a single summer or decades of research—to be part of this growing excitement. Together, we will celebrate our shared history, honor the present, and build a vibrant future for RMBL. 

Stay tuned for upcoming stories, events, and opportunities to get involved. We can’t wait to welcome you back and continue this journey together. 

-Article written by RMBL contributor, Jeni Blacklock

Photo courtesy of Nick Waser and Mary Price. The RMBL Forward and Backward Marching Band in 1984.