Reflections on the IEP EPM Alumni Reunion Weekend

Friday Night

We kicked off the event with a Friday night happy hour at the Samson Student Center that was open to all MIIS students and local alumni.  It was a boisterous, energetic, and lively first night with tunes provided by local rock band The Commission (featuring a current MIIS student lead singer),and 180 people enjoying vegan pizza, beer and wine.   Professor Jeff Langholz gave a welcome and reminded us that this is a rare and special this gathering.  Friday night festivities were supported by the Center for the Blue Economy (Alumni Reunion Weekend host), the Middlebury Institute Committee on Art in Public Places (funded the band), Alumni Engagement Programs (sent out invites to local alumni), the Vice-President’s Office (Linae Ishii-Divine Director of Events working her magic). 

While music and the buzz of conversation was happening up in the Samson Student Center, over in the McCone building, professional videographers from Glacial Etch Media (CSUMB alums) were setting up microphones and cameras in silence to collect stories from students, alumni, faculty, staff about how MIIS has impacted their lives. This was funded by the Jan Knippers Black Fund.  Professor Jan Black was a vivacious, amazing woman who left an indelible mark on the MIIS community—she was always the first one at the party and the last to leave, always interested in the stories that create our connections.  What better way to honor her than a big party with a storytelling event thrown in!  

Saturday Luncheon

Saturday, April 11th was the main day for the IEP EPM Alumni Reunion, which started with a luncheon in the Samson Student Center.  112 alumni, current students, family members, faculty and staff sat down to a delicious vegan and gluten-free Thai food lunch that was very delicious.  Equally nourishing were the conversations and connections being made.   

For desert, in addition to PK farms organic strawberries from the farmers market, we had presentations from four alumni: Chelsea Haines, IEP ’12, Director of Regulatory Relations at Association of California Water Agencies;  Daryl Balthazar, IEP ’04, Senior Executive - Industrial at Envirosuite, Silvia Bor,  IEP ’12, Marine Program Senior Director at Pacific Environment; and Alfild Aspelin, IEP ’12, Director at Clean Mobility Infrastructure.  Jason Scorse gave a talk from the heart, intense, inspiring and straightforward—both a tribute and call for action. 

After the presentations, we had a facilitated group conversation/community building led by Elea Becker-Lowe, IEP ‘18 (One of the alumni reunion committee members and California Climate Assessment Program Manager, Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation) and Edy Rhodes (alumni reunion committee member, former and long-time Career and Academic Advisor for IEP, staff emerita).  It was a relaxed, laughter-filled and deeply inspiring gathering. 

Saturday Night Social Hour

Saturday night was supposed to be a beach bonfire at Asilomar Beach, but with the chance of rain being 100% at 7pm, we decided to meet at the Asilomar Conference Grounds Social Hall, which offered not only beautiful and rustic architecture designed by Julia Morgan, but a big fireplace, a one-man-band, pool tables, food and wine.  In short, it was the perfect backup, and perhaps even better than the planned bonfire.   Conversation was lively, there were lots of smiles—it was sheer joy.  

Sunday Morning

Sunday morning was our last gathering, and with the rain passing, we were able to gather in the MIIS garden as planned.  It was sprinkling a bit when it first started, but the hearty IEP EPM students, never afraid of the outdoors, were totally content and gradually the morning warmed to sunny skies.  We enjoyed coffee, tea, and goodies, but so many people ended up attending that we ran out quickly, and had to make a run to Starbucks.  Kiddos, doggies, and families who could not join earlier in the event made it.   We all learned that it was Maggie Peters (IEP ‘09) who started the garden during her time as a student at MIIS.   Jeff Langholz, who had tucked the International Environmental Policy program sign away, brought it out for a group photo.   

Overall it was such a good gathering, that we all wanted to do it again soon!   It is our sincere hope that the MIIS Mafia lives on, and we encourage all to take the survey asking about interest in a self-organizing MIIS alumni organization.  If nothing else, even after the closure of MIIS, the invitation is to meet in NYC in 2031, Jason Scorse hosting.   See you in New York Jason!