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Grand opening of new School of Public Health building

Ribbon cutting ceremony marks the new home of the School of Public Health at the Edna S. Brigham Building

A cheerleader, Brian Sandoval, Muge Akpinar and Jeff Thompson smiling while holding large commemorative scissors at the School of Public Health's ribbon cutting ceremony.

President Brian Sandoval, Dean Muge Akpinar and Provost Jeff Thompson. Photo by Chloe Singh.

Grand opening of new School of Public Health building

Ribbon cutting ceremony marks the new home of the School of Public Health at the Edna S. Brigham Building

President Brian Sandoval, Dean Muge Akpinar and Provost Jeff Thompson. Photo by Chloe Singh.

A cheerleader, Brian Sandoval, Muge Akpinar and Jeff Thompson smiling while holding large commemorative scissors at the School of Public Health's ribbon cutting ceremony.

President Brian Sandoval, Dean Muge Akpinar and Provost Jeff Thompson. Photo by Chloe Singh.

On Thursday, April 6, 2024, a significant moment unfolded within the School of Public Health — the opening of the new home in the recently renovated Edna S. Brigham Building was celebrated with joy and pride. The occasion was marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony, with opening remarks from Univeristy leadership

President Sandoval spoke warmly about the School's impact in the community, stating, “This is a school that prepares students to take leadership roles in the future of public health for ÁùºÏ±¦µä and our world. They impact policy and implement systemic change, develop and evaluate health programs, provide accessible wide-scale services and conduct innovative research.” 

Dean Akpinar-Elci has made great strides since assuming her role in Fall 2021. During her address on Thursday, she reflected on the journey that led to this day and expressed her gratitude for the collaborative effort that brought this shared vision to life.

“Today we are not just celebrating bricks and walls, we are celebrating people who went above and beyond to assist us in creating this space where passion meets purpose. These people share our dream,” she remarked. 

Check out hightlights from the ceremony

Photos by Chloe Singh.

  • President Brian Sandoval, Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci and Provost Jeff Thompson welcoming the crowd inside the new building.
  • President Brian Sandoval delivering opening remarks for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
  • Provost Jeff Thompson delivering opening remarks for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
  • Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci delivering opening remarks for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
  • Community members on and off campus gathered for the event.
  • President Brian Sandoval gathered with K7 contractors, who remodeled the building.
  • Event attendees gathered inside the main lobby of the new public health building.
  • Students exploring the new space at the event.

The School of Public Health, founded in 2004 as an undergraduate degree under the former Department of Health Ecology, has achieved significant milestones over the past two decades. The Master in Public Health program was accredited by the in 2011. The School then became independent in 2017 under the name, “School of Community Health Sciences.” In 2021, the institution finally earned its accreditation as the, “School of Public Health” — one of 68 CEPH accredited schools in the world. Graduates have since made their mark in various fields, from higher education to impactful roles in healthcare, epidemiology, environmental science, biostatistics, social justice, emergency preparedness and policy change.

Discover more opportunities by visiting the School of Public Health website.

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