During a recent event, Richard Mull, former faculty member and Director of Campus Recreational Sports at Indiana University, was honored with the Founding Dean’s Medallion by IU School of Public Health officials.

Given to public health leaders at the Dean’s discretion, the medallion honors those who have made a significant impact in the field of public health. Medallion recipients are those whose careers and personal efforts have been dedicated to rigorous public health research, education, and practice by preventing disease, promoting health, and enhancing quality of life.

With degrees in physical education, Mull spent his career focused on bringing activity into the daily lives of students. He started his career as Director of Intramural Sports at West Virginia University before joining IU in 1972. As Director of Campus Recreational Sports at IU, Mull developed one of the leading recreational sports programs in the country, and received the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association’s Honor Award in 1989.

In addition to his commitment to creating opportunities for physical activity, Mull is passionate about developing students into leaders. He created and served as the instructor for three independent study courses in leadership development, and created the Student Recreational Sports Association in 1973. More than 40 years later and this student association is still a vibrant part of Recreational Sports at IU.

“Rich is a visionary and knew the importance of daily physical activity long before it was talked about as much as it is today,” Mohammad Torabi, dean of the School of Public Health-Bloomington, said. “It is my pleasure to award the Dean’s Medallion to Rich for his dedication, vision and commitment to developing a top tier recreational sports program at our university and helping shape the next generation of public health and recreational sports leaders.”

Mull retired from his work at IU in 2007 after serving as Director of the Tennis Center and Outdoor Pool, Director of Auxiliary Operations, Director for the Center for Student Leadership, and Assistant Professor in what was then called the IU School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.