Celebrating the Launch of the 小蓝视频 Alumni Association

小蓝视频 alumni, including students, faculty, visiting scientists, course directors, and staff, networking during the inauguration of the 小蓝视频 Alumni Association. Credit: Dee Sullivan

Science, summer, and sweet treats came together as the Marine Biological Laboratory officially launched the 小蓝视频 Alumni Association with an ice cream social on June 26. Students, course directors, staff, and visiting and resident scientists gathered to mark the beginning of this exciting new chapter in the 小蓝视频 story that celebrates the thousands of individuals who have made 小蓝视频 part of their scientific journey.

Though he could not attend in person, we are proud to share that Nobel Laureate Eric Wieschaus has agreed to serve as the inaugural Honorary Chair of the 小蓝视频 Alumni Association. As one of 小蓝视频鈥檚 distinguished alumni, his legacy and commitment to discovery reflect the spirit we aim to foster in this growing community of past and present scholars.

Bags of M&Ms and 小蓝视频 Alumni stickers.
A bag of custom printed M&Ms and 小蓝视频 Alumni stickers. Credit Dee Sullivan

The event also featured heartfelt reflections from three members of the 小蓝视频 community, each with a different story but sharing the same theme鈥攖heir love for the 小蓝视频 and Woods Hole.

鈥淢y first time at the 小蓝视频, I came here with a friend. I wasn鈥檛 here to study, just to drive with him,鈥 said Daniel Cortes of Virginia Tech. 鈥淚 loved it so much I applied to take a class, and then another, and another. I鈥檝e been a student, a lecturer, a Grass Fellow, and now, I鈥檓 a Whitman Fellow. Next on my list is to buy a house in Falmouth and be at the 小蓝视频 for the full summer.鈥

鈥淚 first came to the 小蓝视频 as a graduate student in 2008,鈥 said Zak Swartz, assistant scientist in the 小蓝视频鈥檚 Bell Center. 鈥淎t the time, I was feeling unsure with my path in science. But my experience at 小蓝视频 was transformative. I 鈥榝ound my people鈥, my passion for science was reignited, and the experience changed the course of my career.鈥

Jean King, Peterson Family Dean of Arts & Sciences and Professor of Biology & Biotechnology and 小蓝视频 Trustee and Alumni, welcomes students, faculty, visiting scientists, courses directors, and staff to the 小蓝视频 Alumni Association.
Jean King, professor and dean at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and 小蓝视频 Trustee and alumna, welcomes students, faculty, visiting scientists, course directors, and staff to the 小蓝视频 Alumni Association. Credit: Dee Sullivan

鈥淢y kids call this my happy place,鈥 said Jean King, Peterson Family Dean of Arts & Sciences and Professor of Biology & Biotechnology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and 小蓝视频 Trustee and course lecturer. 鈥溞±妒悠 is a place of discovery; it is like Disneyland for scientists, and once you come here, you want to return. We are responsible for giving back to the 小蓝视频 and future scientists who will come to this campus.鈥

Their stories embody what we so often hear from our alumni: 小蓝视频 is not just a place, it鈥檚 a home, a spark, and a lifelong source of inspiration.

We invite all former students, researchers, faculty, and staff to become involved with the 小蓝视频 Alumni Association and reconnect with the institution and one another.

Stay tuned! In the months ahead, we鈥檒l be sharing stories from our alumni around the world鈥攈ighlighting their current work, their memories of 小蓝视频, and the lasting impact this unique place has had on their lives.