A new teaching garden was designed, built and unveiled in 2026 in honor of former OCPE staff member, Fran Koppell. The garden will extend the classroom outdoors for future golf turf management program students.
Enrico “Rico” Cabredo’s journey from Rutgers University’s Environment and Public Health (EPH) program to becoming a Communicable Disease Epidemiologist with the New Jersey Department of Health is a testament to the program’s impact on real-world public health. He highlights the vital role of REHS professionals in public health and encourages aspiring practitioners to explore diverse paths in the field.
Liz Coogan’s journey in turfgrass management has come full circle as she takes on the role of program coordinator at Rutgers’ Professional Golf Turf Management Program. Inspired by her mentor, Dr. Bingru Huang, Coogan has blossomed from a dedicated student to a respected leader in her field. With a wealth of experience from prestigious internships and positions, she now embraces the opportunity to help shape the next generation of turf professionals.
Virginia Wheatley’s journey to the Rutgers Environment and Public Health (EPH) Program in 2005 was anything but conventional. Her experience led her to pursue a graduate degree in Public Health at Rutgers University and then enroll in the EPH program, a gateway to career opportunities in public health inspection.