Erb’s Traditions Stand the Test of Time

This story is part of Erb’s 30th Anniversary series, celebrating three decades of impact at the intersection of business and sustainability.

Whenever I meet an Erb Institute alum, the conversation inevitably turns toward the same few types of questions: “Do you still do WhirlyBall?”; “Is Jug Day still happening?”; “Did you go to Erb Camping?” The specifics of the questions change depending on who I am talking to and when they graduated, but the sentiment is always the same. Alumni want to know whether the traditions they remember are still alive and if the current students are getting the same experience they once did. 

The questions reveal something so important about the Erb community. Every new cohort will always bring new perspectives, interests, and strengths to this program, but traditions are what provide true continuity. They connect the students who graduated 30 years ago with those who are preparing to graduate today. They create a shared language that transcends generations and reveal that we are part of something larger than ourselves. The community is one of the most significant and special aspects of the Erb experience. Most graduate programs can point to academic achievements or professional accomplishments, and while Erb can certainly do that as well, what often stands out among alumni is the community. 

One of the things that sticks out the most to me about Erbers is their incredible range. Alumni are consistently some of the most thoughtful, accomplished, and mission-driven people I meet. They generously share their expertise, offer guidance, and make time for students they have never met before. A conversation that begins with climate strategy or sustainable business can quickly turn into questions about orientation at the U-M Biological Station, Erb on the Road, if Erbers are still living in the sauna house, or who hosted Tea Festivus. That ability to hold both the silly and the serious is one of the defining characteristics of the Erb community. Our shared purpose brings us together, but it is often the shared traditions that keep us connected across generations. 

As the Erb Institute celebrates its 30th anniversary, that continuity and familiarity feels especially meaningful. For three decades, this program has educated leaders who now work across industries, governments, nonprofits, and communities around the world. Sustainability itself has evolved dramatically during that time too. Issues that once were not even considered in the boardroom now sit at the center of corporate strategy. New technologies, new regulations, and new challenges have reshaped the field. Yet, the things that we all come back to are the traditions that we once had while in grad school and the shared sense of community we feel in the Erb. 

Some things remain unknown, like how did a group of Erbers somehow get a picture of themselves drilled into the wall in the back corner of The Brown Jug? Who won the first Erblympics? Who suggested that we make a spreadsheet to track how many shooters we have tried? Who coined the term “Too Ross for SEAS, Too SEAS for Ross”? What possessed us to successfully get funding to do weird things like WhirlyBall and curling? How many students have performed in MBGay? I do not know all of the origins of these activities or why we even do some of them, but what I do know is that curling on a random Tuesday does feel meaningful with this community, and I feel proud to uphold these traditions. These traditions are insane and fun, but they often lead to deeper conversations like the implications of renewable energy and nature-based solutions.These traditions really act as a medium for us to connect with one another and dive deeper into learning about important issues and trying to solve problems. 

If you ask any current students why they chose this program over any other, community is almost always part of the answer. Prospective students hear about the academics of the dual degree structure and the professional opportunities available, but the community itself is often what truly convinced them that Erb is the right choice. They hear back often and frequently from current students who are eager to help them and answer questions. They notice the response rate from alumni is significantly better. They can see that this community is a culture that values collaboration as much as achievement. 

What makes these traditions particularly meaningful is that they are not simply inherited; they are actively maintained. Each year, members of the Student Advisory Board dedicate themselves to continuing to build, curate, and maintain the community and traditions that have come before them. Our vice presidents spend countless hours organizing and planning the events that define the Erb experience. Now, some of these positions are not as strenuous as others. Our Jug Czars simply have to show up and drink every Tuesday at the Jug, but their sacrifices are building this community one shooter at a time, and the work of all SAB members is noticed, valued, and appreciated. 

When alumni continue to ask, “Do you still do WhirlyBall?”, the question is not really about WhirlyBall. It’s a way to learn whether the spirit of the community endures. And the answer is usually yes. The challenges that sustainability and business professionals face have changed, and the world itself has changed immensely in the past 30 years. But the traditions remain, carrying forward the values of friendship, community, and shared purpose that have defined the Erb Institute since its beginning. They bridge the gap between generations, reminding us that while each cohort’s journey is unique, we are all part of the Erb Institute.