Multiple generations of student researchers gather at Alma College Bog event

The Alma College Bog recently played host to prospective students, as well as alumni and current student researchers, as they explored a number of research projects in progress and shared with one another their experiences at one of the school’s oldest sites for field research.

In attendance at the event were alumni who have in the past conducted research at the bog, along with prospective students who are currently enrolled in the Alma College Research Network (or ACORN), and current students are taking part in Alma’s CORE Summer Research Program. Student researchers and faculty members shared the progress of their current projects while alumni reacquainted themselves with a place that served as an important part of their professional and academic paths.

In an article posted on Alma College’s website, Assistant Development Director Beth Peterson spoke about the event and the importance of bringing together multiple generations of Alma students, saying, “What struck me was seeing future students, current students and alumni all together in one place. Many of the alumni had conducted research at the bog themselves, and now they were watching current students continue that work while prospective students prepared to begin their own journey. It was a powerful illustration of the continuity of Alma College’s scientific community.”

The Alma College Bog is located near Vestaburg, Michigan, and has been used as a research site and outdoor classroom for several generations of students. The bog plays host to research in topics like environmental science, ornithology, ecology, and more. The area allows students to take part in hands-on fieldwork while also helping conduct ongoing scientific research.

One of the returning alumni was Garnet Johnson, who graduated back in 2003 and is now serving as the director of operations at Triterra, an environmental engineering and consulting firm. Johnson’s environmental science career started while attending Alma. Johnson talked about how revisiting the bog highlighted the value of undergraduate research: “Coming back to the Bog was a great experience. It was fun to see students out in the field doing real research and asking meaningful questions about the natural world. As someone who works in science, it’s always encouraging to see students getting hands-on experiences early. It reminded me of why places like the Bog are such an important part of an Alma education.”

Faculty members John Rowe, Brian Doyle, and Katie Stumpf were also at the event, and presented ongoing research currently taking place at the bog to the other attendants at the event. Summer researchers also displayed some of their work to ACORN students who could potentially go on to conduct their own research at the bog someday.

Peterson talked about how events like this are a part of the school’s commitment to facilitating long lasting relationships between alumni and current students. She said, “We want students to understand from the very beginning that Alma is about relationships. It’s about building connections with faculty, classmates, alumni and future colleagues. From the Advancement perspective, we want alumni to know they remain part of Alma’s academic community. We’re not just asking them for support — we want them connected with the students, connected with the College and connected with each other.”

The event also functioned as a preview of Alma’s Summer Research Symposium, which will take place at the end of July. There, CORE Summer Research students will show off the results of the research projects they will have completed during the summer. The public is invited to the Symposium, which will take place at the Wright-Leppien Opera House on July 31, starting at 9:30 am.

Peterson went on to note that one of the important parts of the event was seeing people at a range of stages of their journey with Alma College connected in a place that has become an important part of the school’s identity. She said, “The bog has been significant to each of these groups at different points in their lives. Whether they’re just beginning that journey, in the middle of it or looking back years later, they’re all connected. That’s what makes experiences like this so special.”

More information about the Alma College Bog can be found on its webpage, and more information about all Alma College offers can be found at the school’s website.