Life Celebrates 19 Years
Life College, during its 19th anniversary year, is celebrating a host of recent achievements: a record-setting enrollment, various degree programs, and continued success in its athletic programs, including designation of the college facilities as a pre-Olympic training site.
Chartered in 1974 as Life Chiropractic College, the school officially began classes with just 22 students on January 20, 1975. As classes began on January 3rd of this year, enrollment was at an all-time high (3,548), with seven programs offered: 1) doctor of chiropractic; 2) chiropractic technician; 3) bachelor of science (nutrition); 4) bachelor of business administration; 5) prechiropractic studies; 6) developmental studies; 7) master's degree in sports health science.
Outside the classroom, Life's athletic prowess continues to draw attention. The Running Eagles basketball team, in only their third season of play, were ranked sixth in the nation last year and advanced to the finals of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics tournament. The Eagles cross-country team finished fourth in the nation in their third season. Life's Rugby Club won the USA Rugby East Conference in December, and made it to the final four in the Rugby National Championship in May.
On another sporting front, the college is a designated pre-Olympic training site and has welcomed Olympic-caliber athletes from Australia, Costa Rica, England, Germany, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa.
Life trustee Charles Ribley, DC, delivered the commencement address at the 35th commencement ceremony (fall 1993). The graduation was a special one for Dr. Ribley, a 1960 Palmer graduate. His son James, daughter-in-law Patti Cosmelli, and son-in-law Christopher Czajka all received their DC degrees. "Chiropractic has been my whole life," said Dr. Ribley, who is ICA's Michigan representative and has served on the Michigan Board of Chiropractic Examiners for the past 10 years. "We're living in a world right now where the medical model is falling apart. Health care reform is looking for a new paradigm. It's time to bring about healing."
The fall 1993 valedictorian was Bernard Burton, and the salutatorian was Susan Boehmke.
For Life's 36th commencement (winter 1994), Patrick Gentempo, DC, a 1983 Life graduate, was chosen to speak by popular demand (student poll). His talk, "Mission -- Not Impossible," discussed morality and ethics for chiropractors, and a chiropractic practice based on the vertebral subluxation.
Valedictorian John Berezny offered a moment of silence for classmate Luis Mendez. The salutatorian was Michael Moran.
For the 10th consecutive year, Life College hosted the Upper Cervical Spine Conference. Researchers across the US presented their recent study findings. Renowned researcher C.H. Suh, PhD, presented an overview: "Chiropractic Research: Past, Present, and Future."
Research presented included:
The American Dietetic Association (ADA)'s Department of Education recently announced its approval of Life College's bachelor of science in nutrition for dietetics. The degree will enable students to apply for an accredited dietetic internship or preprofessional practice program, and then take the ADA's registration exam. Successful completion of the internship and exam allow a student to become a registered dietitian.
"We are pleased with the American Dietetic Association's confidence in our nutrition program," said Life President Dr. Sid Williams. "The dietetic component of the degree will open up many job opportunities for our graduates in the clinical nutrition services field."
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
