Karl K. Jones graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health. Mr. Jones served as Director of the Retail Food Division from 1957 to 1967 at the Indiana State Department of Health.  From 1967 to 1983, he was the Director of the Environmental Health Department at Purdue University. In 1967, Mr. Jones served as President of the Indiana Environmental Health Association, and in 1969 he received the prestigious Tim Sullivan Award.  Mr. Jones was the recipient of the Sanitarian Emeritus award in 1982. Karl Jones also served as a representative to the National Environmental Health Association for the Indiana Environmental Health Association. Mr. Jones was one of the first members and founders of the Indiana Environmental Health Association and the Wabash Valley Chapter of IEHA.  Karl advocated that all sanitarians (Environmental Health Specialists) maintain a high degree of professionalism and work ethics in all aspects of their jobs, and by doing so, he was one of the forefathers in establishing the Registered Professional Sanitarian Certification program (presently REHS).  Karl was one of the very first members on the Registered Professional Sanitarian Certification Board, which was established in 1963; he was the second in the state of Indiana to receive his RPS certification. Karl was an active, participating member in the Wabash Valley Chapter of IEHA, and attended all chapter meetings until becoming incapacitated with Parkinson’s Disease.

Previous Award Recipients

2026 Recipient

Jennifer Asbury