SPARTANBURG, NC - When you think about Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic, you think about Dr. Thom Gelardi, who founded the college in 1973. While the school's course has at times been stormy, as in May 1994, when the Southern Association of Colleges and School's appeal committee upheld its December 1993 decision to drop Sherman's regional accreditation for failure to meet financial responsibility, or when Sherman had to alter its course to become a member of the Council on Chiropractic Education, Dr. Gelardi was always at the helm, captaining the Sherman ship and keeping it afloat.
When Dr. Gelardi stepped down on January 1, 1997, Sherman entered a new era. David Koch,DC, became the president and held the reins until September 2000. (Dr. Koch is now at Palmer - as of this month - an assitant to Palmer president, Guy Riekeman,DC.) Brian McAulay,DC,PhD, became the interim president when Dr. Koch left.
Now the Sherman Board of Trustees has announced that Jerry Hardee,EdD, is the college's third president, effective July 1, 2001.
"I firmly believe the college has found in Dr. Hardee an outstanding leader who possesses not only a high level of integrity and strong skills and experience in higher education administration, but also an individual who has demonstrated over many years his unwavering commitment to Sherman College and to straight chiropractic," said Dr. Gelardi.
Dr. Gelardi also thanked outgoing interim president Brian McAulay,DC, PhD: "The board of trustees sincerely appreciates the dedication, time and talent he has so generously shared with Sherman College, and looks forward to his ongoing contribution to our future success." Dr. McAulay will continue with Sherman in a myriad of duties as an assistant to the president, with responsibility for student services, planning and assessment, research, continuing education and joint responsibility for enrollment services.
Dr. Hardee's connection with Sherman began as a member of the Commission on Accreditation of the Straight Chiropractic Standards Association, serving as its chairman from 1985 to 1989. It was during this time that he was a site visitor to Sherman. "When I first visited Sherman College as a member of the evaluation team, I felt there was something very special going on at the institution. I was very impressed with the senior leaders and faculty, and with the strong sense of vision and mission the college possessed."
Dr. Hardee obtained his EdD and a certificate of advanced study in educational administration from Northern Illinois University. His MS in science education is from Fisk University, and his BS was in mathematics from Clark College. He served as assistant to the president of Georgia's Valdosta State University before becoming vice president for academic affairs at Albany State University in Georgia.
"It is truly an honor to be at the helm of this great college today," Dr. Hardee said. "I look forward to guiding the college to even greater status and stature."
