May 2025 Newsletter
the power of PLACE
Voices of RMBL - Benn Schmatz - May 2025
Tag along with Facilities Manager, Benn Schmatz, as he takes us through the process of “waking up Gothic for the summer.” In order for ground-breaking research and science to take place, our students and scientists need basic amenities – running water (which is a relatively new luxury for Gothic residents), livable cabins, and making sure no marmots get stuck in our many outhouses. The Facilities team is a key part of what makes RMBL science happen.
Gothic’s spring scenes are one of the main perks of following along the Facilities team. Dive into the behind-the-scenes action at Gothic and watch the video below!
Ian Billick | PhD
Executive Director, RMBL
sciencestories
Behind the Scenes with RMBL Operations: The Heart of Gothic
Katie Harper prefers to stay behind the scenes. As RMBL’s Administrative and Operations Manager, she was genuinely surprised when we asked to feature her in the e-newsletter. “Who cares about operations when we have such exciting science going on?” she said with a laugh.
But we do care — because when operations run smoothly, they’re almost invisible. And that’s thanks to Katie and her team, who are especially busy this time of year. Aside from the winter caretakers, her crew is the first to arrive on campus each season. They bike in before the road opens, clean the cabins, open common spaces, and prepare the offices. Katie calls it “waking up the campus.”