Public Health Photo of the Month is a recurring series that shifts the spotlight from words to visuals, showcasing standout work by CPH photographer Andrew Thayer. Each month, we feature an image that tells a story—capturing a moment, an idea, or an experience through his lens.

About the Photo: On April 11, the Tyler building buzzed with activity as students, faculty, and staff from the College of Public Health (CPH) came together for Mural Paint Day. Held during National Public Health Week, the event invited members of the CPH community to help bring a new mural to life—one that will eventually be installed in the new Paley Hall.

Hosted in partnership with Philadelphia Mural Arts, the event welcomed participants of all experience levels to join 30-minute painting intervals, with up to 32 people painting at a time across four tables. Supplies were provided; all attendees had to bring was a willingness to participate—and maybe clothes they didn’t mind getting a little paint on.

In the photo, Dean Jennifer Ibrahim is smiling on the far left, taking part in the painting herself. Faculty members Aimee Palumbo (center left) and Alanna Butler (center right, wearing a Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics shirt) are deep in focus, surrounded by students and colleagues working together on the mural’s details. The atmosphere was relaxed, welcoming, and hands-on—an opportunity to take a break from daily routines and contribute to something lasting.

Why We Love It: Temple student and mural coordinator Obiamaka Igwenagu (not pictured), who helped organize the event, shared, “It was inspiring to watch so many different people come together—not just to create something beautiful, but to be part of a lasting symbol of what public health stands for. Everyone showed up with enthusiasm, whether they had painting experience or not.”

Photographer Andrew Thayer captured that enthusiasm in action. “There’s so much movement in the image—bodies angled from every side of the table, hands in motion, people connecting through this shared experience,” he said. “It was a great reminder that public health is about people coming together—and this photo shows that in a simple, visual way.”

Watch the video! Click to see the energy and hear the voices that brought Mural Paint Day to life.