Welcome to Dimensions! First launched in 1948 as HPERDimensions, this newsletter has a long tradition of celebrating alumni, sharing stories, and strengthening connections across generations. Today, as we enter our 80th year as a school, we’re excited to carry that legacy forward with a fresh, revived edition that continues to honor our past while building new bridges for the future. Alumni remain the cornerstone of the School of Public Health-Bloomington, and Dimensions is here to spotlight your journeys, achievements, and impact on our community.
Dimensions Alumni Newsletter
School news
A message from Dean Kurt M. Ribisl
As we step into a new academic term, I am thrilled to welcome you to the start of the 80th year of the Indiana University School of Public Health–Bloomington (SPH-B). This milestone is both a moment of reflection and a powerful reminder of the momentum that continues to propel our school forward. I am thrilled to join this extraordinary community at such a meaningful point in its history.
This year is especially exciting as we are near the completion of our building renovations. The transformation of our space reflects the energy and innovation that define the SPH-B spirit. The updated building is brighter, more inviting, and better equipped to support collaboration, learning, and discovery. It has been incredibly rewarding to see students, faculty, and staff return to refreshed spaces, with more classes once again being held at SPH-B.
At the same time, we are continuing to elevate the quality and impact of our curriculum, ensuring that our students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and real-world experiences needed to lead in a rapidly evolving public health landscape. Our growing partnerships —with communities, organizations, and institutions—are opening new doors for research, experiential learning, and meaningful impact beyond campus.
We are also proud to see our student body continue to grow, making SPH-B the fastest-growing school on campus. This growth reflects not only the increasing demand for public health education, but also the strength of our programs and the vibrant, supportive environment we offer our students.
As we welcome students back, we also welcome the opportunities that come with a new year—new ideas, new connections, and new ways to make an impact. The progress we’ve made together has created a strong foundation for furthering the future of our mission; and that wouldn’t be possible without our alumni.
This summer, I had the privilege of meeting with many of our alumni in Indianapolis and Chicago. These conversations provided a valuable opportunity to hear their perspectives on SPH-B, learn about their experiences and professional journeys, and share our vision for the future of the school. The insights and feedback you provided have helped shape many of the exciting initiatives and opportunities we are pursuing, reinforcing the important role our alumni play in guiding and strengthening our community.
Your continued support and engagement play a vital role in everything we do. You are an essential part of our story, and your achievements continue to inspire the next generation of public health leaders.
Great things are ahead for the School of Public Health–Bloomington, and I am grateful to have you alongside us as we move forward together into this exciting new chapter.
Warm regards,
Kurt Ribisl, PhD
Dean
To stay engaged with Dean Ribisl, connect with him on LinkedIn!
Call for Class Notes – Dimensions December 2026 issue
We’re collecting class notes for the December 2026 issue of Dimensions, and we’d love to hear from you!
Share your latest updates—career milestones, personal achievements, moves, celebrations, and more—and connect with your fellow classmates and the broader SPH-B alumni community.
Submit your update by filling out our quick survey below or emailing us at SPHBALUM@iu.edu.
We can’t wait to celebrate what you’ve been up to!
Click here to complete the survey
RSVP to attend the Distinguished Alumni Awards
The School of Public Health-Bloomington warmly invites you to join us on our 80th anniversary as a school for an evening of celebration as we honor the outstanding achievements, service, and impact of our Distinguished Alumni Awards recipients. This signature event (formerly known as the Awards Gala) brings together alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the school to recognize individuals who exemplify excellence in their professions and embody the spirit of health, service, and community.
We are proud to recognize this year's honorees:
- Dr. Ashley Townes – Anita Aldrich Distinguished Alumni Award
- Dr. Tuba Durgut – Tony A. Mobley International Distinguished Alumni Award
- Dr. Kyle Kercher – Mohammad R. Torabi Early Career Outstanding Alumni Award
- Dr. Gina Forrest – David L. Gallahue Champion Alumni Award
- Dr. Rebecca Battista – W.W. Patty Distinguished Alumni Award
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, October 1
- Time: 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. EST
- Location: Presidents Hall, Franklin Hall, 601 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47406
Join us as we celebrate the incredible achievements and stories of our alumni.
Academic pulse
Check out the latest news and exciting updates from our school's academic departments.
Hoosier highlights
We are proud to highlight Aubrey Matricardi.
Future in focus
This month, we’re excited to spotlight one of our outstanding SPH‑B students, Clay D.
From the archives
In "From the Archives", we share photos, fun facts, and history about our school.
Join, connect, inspire
Interested in getting involved? We'd love to have you! We have a variety of current and ongoing opportunities for alumni to connect, contribute, and engage.
We ask, you answer
Each month, we feature a new prompt and invite you to share your thoughts.
As mentioned above, we want to stay connected and share your story in the December 2026 issue of Dimensions! We’re currently collecting class notes and would love to include your latest updates.
Whether it’s a career milestone, personal achievement, move, celebration, or anything in between—this is your chance to reconnect with fellow classmates and the greater SPH-B alumni community.
Are you interested in being featured in an upcoming issue? Submit your information below and we will be in touch.