From lifelong Hoosier to public health professional, Ally Hunt’s IU journey was always meant to be. Growing up in an IU family—where basketball and school spirit were shared traditions—Indiana University felt like home long before college began. Choosing IU was a natural decision for Ally, rooted in family connection and a desire for a meaningful, well-rounded college experience.
At IU, the freedom to explore played a defining role in Ally’s experience. Starting as a biology major, she took advantage of opportunities across SPEA and the School of Public Health–Bloomington to discover the right path. A pivotal moment came in a class with Dr. Virginia Girhiri, whose engaging approach to public health and epidemiology sparked a lasting passion. That experience led Ally to pursue a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics—a decision that continues to shape her rewarding career.
Today, Ally serves as an Infection Prevention Specialist at Duke University Hospital, applying the knowledge and skills she gained at IU every day. Beyond technical expertise, IU instilled in her the confidence to navigate opportunities, advocate for growth, and take ownership of her path—lessons that have been invaluable both professionally and personally.
Inspired by her own journey, Ally also launched Culture Positive: An Infection Prevention Podcast to help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world public health careers. Through conversations, case studies, and insights into infection prevention, she aims to educate, connect, and inspire students and professionals alike. Listen with the link above!
Ally’s story is a powerful example of how an IU education—and a willingness to explore—can lead to meaningful impact in public health and beyond.
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Linda Cotter
In 1968, Indiana University launched its first intercollegiate women’s softball team, marking a pivotal moment in the history of women’s athletics at IU. Among the program’s early leaders was alumna Linda Cotter, who graduated in 1970 with a B.S. in Physical Education. A standout student-athlete, Cotter served as a three-year captain and second baseman for softball and was also co-captain of the IU women’s basketball team.
Cotter recalls 1968 as the true beginning of IU Softball as an intercollegiate sport, noting, “this is just the first year for the program, and we will be adding games to our schedule.” Her reflections offer a vivid look at the evolution of women’s athletics—from early intramurals and “Play Days” to the more competitive “Sports Days” that eventually led to formal intercollegiate competition. She emphasizes that IU Softball was never a club sport, stating, “It began as an Intercollegiate Sport in 1968 and continues today at that level.”
After graduating, Cotter continued to break new ground—establishing the first women’s intercollegiate basketball team at Illinois Wesleyan University and later leading Cabrillo College to back-to-back California Community College Division II Basketball Championships as head coach. During her time at IU as a graduate student, she balanced multiple roles, pursuing advanced studies while serving as a teaching assistant in the Women’s Physical Education Department. At the same time, she worked within the Athletic Department as a volleyball coach, giving her a unique perspective across both academic and athletic spaces.
In 1975, as women’s athletics continued to gain momentum, Cotter and her fellow coaches moved into Assembly Hall. All of the women’s team coaches shared a single room—tucked just inside the south entrance—where desks lined up beneath large overhead ventilation pipes. The group affectionately dubbed it “the boiler room,” a reflection of both the cramped quarters and the camaraderie that helped define that era.
In 2018, Cotter and other early women athletes were honored alongside male letterwinners at the 50-Year I Men’s Reunion—an experience she described as one of her “biggest thrills,” especially the opportunity to connect with today’s IU Softball team. Her story reflects the resilience, leadership, and pioneering spirit that helped shape the foundation of women’s athletics at Indiana University. The photo depicts Cotter signing her name and joining the Batdorf Fancher Legacy Wall!
Kelly Gallagher
For Kelly (Merkel) Gallagher, Class of 1979, the spirit of IU has always been found on three wheels—or two.
Kelly spent all four of her undergraduate years racing in the iconic Mini 500 trike races, creating some of her most cherished memories at IU. A photo of her practicing in the spring of 1977 even appeared in the Indiana Daily Student, capturing her dedication and the energy of the event. She competed with Wilkie 3 from 1976–78 and later with an independent team, GDI, in 1979.
Beyond the Mini, Kelly embraced the freedom of cycling across campus and deep into the Indiana countryside during long summer rides—habits that shaped her love of movement and community.
Today, approaching 70, Kelly still rides regularly with friends, finding those weekly miles to be among the highlights of her life. Even more meaningful is passing that joy on to her grandsons, teaching them the same love of sport and active living that IU helped instill.
“What wonderful habits and traditions we develop at IU,” she reflects.
Kelly’s story is a testament to the lifelong impact of IU’s traditions—and the ways they continue to inspire generations.
Oscar Delgado
For Oscar Delgado, the School of Public Health—known as HPER during his time on campus—was far more than a place to earn a degree. It was where he learned to lead with purpose, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility. “The school gave me a framework for how to lead,” he reflects. “Professors were accessible, invested, and genuinely cared that we were invested in what we studied.”
Oscar earned his M.S. in Kinesiology/Sport Management in 2006, and his career has taken him into one of the most globally visible arenas in sport. He is currently working on the FIFA World Cup 2026, focusing on community engagement and stakeholder collaboration in Los Angeles, one of the 16 host cities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. His work centers on building meaningful connections and ensuring that the tournament’s impact extends far beyond the pitch.
He encourages today’s students to approach public health with curiosity and openness. “Go into public health with an open mind and a willingness to see the bigger picture,” he advises. “It’s a field that stretches in many directions and can truly improve the lives of many.”
From his time at IU to his role on the world stage, Oscar continues to embody the values of service, leadership, and community impact that define SPH‑B alumni.
Kimberly Gray
We are proud to highlight Kimberly Gray, an SPH‑B alumna with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, whose lifelong commitment to community, culture, and global engagement recently led her to an extraordinary chapter of service.
At age 67, Kimberly answered a call many dream about but few pursue: she joined the Peace Corps. As featured in Bloom Magazine’s February/March 2026 issue, she was part of the first-ever cohort recruited for a new eco‑tourism initiative in Kyrgyzstan. After a career spent in tourism marketing, she recognized the perfect alignment between her professional expertise and the Peace Corps’ emerging need for eco‑tourism marketing specialists.
Assigned to the Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association in Bishkek, Kimberly has spent the past two years helping strengthen sustainable tourism in a country that is, as she shared, “95% mountains and home to the second largest saltwater body of water in the world.” Her work has included updating a major travel guide to Kyrgyzstan and supporting efforts to help rural communities build livelihoods through tourism—ensuring that local families benefit directly from the growing interest in trekking, cultural experiences, and community‑based travel.
Kimberly’s journey also reflects the global reach of Indiana University’s language programs. Before departing, she audited a Kyrgyz language course at IU—made possible because IU offers more languages than any other U.S. university, including a long history of Central Eurasian studies dating back to the 1960s. As the article notes, IU’s leadership in foreign language education made it possible for her to begin learning Kyrgyz right here in Bloomington.
Beyond her international service, Kimberly has long been a dedicated supporter of the Bloomington community, contributing to organizations such as the Lotus World Music & Arts Festival, Rotary Club, and United Way of Monroe County. Her Peace Corps service is a natural extension of a life spent building community both locally and globally.
As her assignment concludes in mid‑March, Kimberly plans to travel briefly before returning home to Bloomington—bringing with her new stories, new connections, and a renewed commitment to service.
We celebrate Kimberly’s courage, her spirit of lifelong learning, and the way she continues to carry the SPH‑B and HPER legacy into the world.
Nicole Motz has built her career on a simple belief: public health changes lives when people feel supported, informed, and cared for. That philosophy took root during her time at the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington, where she found mentors, professional opportunities, and a community that helped her discover her voice in the field.
As a graduate student, Nicole worked closely with Dr. Priscilla Barnes, serving as her TA and gaining the confidence to see herself as a public health expert. Coursework broadened her perspective beyond clinical care—where she had spent a decade—and opened the door to wellness-focused work. An internship with the City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department further strengthened her skills and affirmed her passion for community health.
Today, Nicole is channeling that passion into Kit Well, the small business she launched in 2024 to bridge a critical gap she observed while working at the Student Health Center. Students often receive excellent self-care guidance from nurses, she noticed, but lack access to basic supplies once they return to their residence halls. Kit Well delivers nurse-curated “get well kits” directly to students the same day, helping them recover more comfortably, reducing barriers to care, and promoting a healthier campus environment.
Her advice for future public health professionals is both honest and hopeful: the field needs fresh voices and innovative communicators now more than ever. “Some would say public health is struggling,” she shared, “but I say it is regrouping and figuring out a new, smarter way forward.”
Nicole’s work embodies that forward momentum—rooted in evidence, driven by compassion, and inspired by her time at IU.
