In June, Life University graduated its first class of the new century, with 393 students tossing their tassels to show they had completed their education and were eyeing their futures as doctors of chiropractic.
There's a story behind each of the graduates. Take the case of 29-year old Rick Bolling, who overcame enormous odds to earn his chiropractic degree. In December 1996, Rick was halfway through his chiropractic studies when he was critically injured in a car accident. Both legs and an arm were crushed, and the original prognosis of Rick's doctors was that he would never walk, let alone practice chiropractic.
Rick was forced to undergo several surgeries and a grueling rehabilitation program while recovering from his injuries. Metal rods were inserted into his limbs for reinforcement. He was also given extensive chiropractic treatment, which helped him recover without having to rely on medication.
A year after his accident, Rick had recovered enough from his injuries to astound his doctors by learning to walk again. He then resumed his chiropractic studies at Life and graduated only one year later than he would have if not for the accident. Rick was able to walk with the class of 2000 to receive his diploma.
"I'm walking, I'm driving, I'm graduating, I'm getting married," Rick pronounced after the graduation ceremony. "Everything is going great."
