History of Life University Life University was founded as a College of Chiropractic in 1974 by a group of prominent and influential chiropractors, including Dr. Sid Williams who would become its first president. The college was founded on two main principles: • Lasting Purpose – To Give, To Do, To Love, To Serve – Out of a Sense of Abundance and • Vitalism – the understanding and respect for the innate intelligence in all living organisms giving them the ability to be self-organizing, self-maintaining and self-healing. By 1990, Life Chiropractic College had grown to become the largest chiropractic college in the world. In 1996, Life College expanded its academic offerings, thus becoming Life University. Today, Life University offers 12 undergraduate degrees and three master’s degrees in addition to its world-renowned Doctor of Chiropractic degree, with more degrees being added each year. In 2002, Life University’s chiropractic accreditation was jeopardized by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), which then affected LIFE’s standing with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Over the course of the next two years Life University emerged from a cloud of uncertainty to re-establish its credibility and standing among the accrediting agencies and the general public. Since 2004, under the direction of current president Dr. Guy F. Riekeman, Life University has undergone transformational changes that have revitalized the physical campus and established ‘Life U’ as a premiere university with an international reputation for excellence, and as a thought leader in the healthcare industry. Changes include new construction built to Gold-level LEED standards, the ‘greening’ of the campus, and modernization of existing buildings. Life University has established chiropractic clinics in places such as China and Costa Rica, while also establishing chiropractic education across the globe through international governing bodies and universities. It has developed the first master’s degree program in positive psychology with an emphasis on secular ethics.
Life University Editorial Guide | Page 9