Life University: 50 Years of Empowering Vitalistic Higher Education

ife University, nestled in Marietta, has been a beacon of education and vitalistic health for nearly half a century. Dr. Rob Scott, President of Life University, has dedicated his career to empowering individuals through education and fostering a deeper understanding of health. As the institution approaches the 50th anniversary of its founding, let’s reflect on Life U’s remarkable journey and the exciting prospects that lie ahead.

Life University was established in 1974 by a group of chiropractors who shared a common focus on servant leadership. Initially, it began as a small chiropractic college, but over the years, it has evolved into the world’s largest single-campus chiropractic program. “Nearly 1,700 students are enrolled in our flagship Doctor of Chiropractic program, which is complemented by 19 undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of health sciences, business and the humanities,” remarks Dr. Scott. Dr. Scott also proudly acknowledges the growth in student housing and resources over the past 15 years, which have contributed to increased enrollment and an environment more conducive to learning and personal growth.

Central to Life University’s mission is the commitment to equip students with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to pursue lives of success and significance. However, what sets Life U apart is its unique vitalistic approach to health. Dr. Scott explains, “We go beyond the traditional disease management model prevalent in many healthcare educational institutions. Our focus at Life U is on helping individuals attain higher levels of health rather than simply getting sick people well or keeping healthy people healthy.”

At the heart of Life University are its core values: Lasting Purpose, Integrity and Vitalism. Dr. Scott elaborates on each value, saying, “Lasting Purpose embodies the act of giving, doing, loving and serving out of one’s abundance. Integrity compels us to reflect our values congruently in every aspect of our work. Finally, Vitalism is our core philosophy that emphasizes that all living systems are self-organizing, self-maintaining and self-healing when free of interference.”

Walking the walk to match its lofty mission and core values, one of Life University’s priorities is an inclusive and diverse campus environment. With a student body representing over 60 countries and all 50 states, Life U has been recognized as the most diverse college in Georgia and the 18th most diverse college in the U.S. (https://www.niche.com/colleges/ search/most-diverse-colleges/s/georgia/). Dr. Scott highlights the importance of fostering an inclusive environment, stating, “In 2020, we established an Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion dedicated to promoting inclusive excellence across our institution. We firmly believe in the power of diversity to enrich students’ learning experiences and prepare them for the global community.”

Additionally, embracing innovation and leveraging technology have been key pillars of Life University’s educational approach. Amid the COVID pandemic in 2020, the institution developed the Palpation and Adjustment Trainer (PAT), a state-of-the-art, technology-based mannequin designed for chiropractic adjustment practice. Students now have access to these anatomically accurate trainers, enhancing their skill development over the course of their time at the university.

Moreover, Life U is home to the most Anatomage Tables of any higher education institution in the world. Anatomage Tables provide students

Lwith life-sized, multi-layered 3D technology and the ability to view CT scans, giving them a detailed understanding of a body’s systems and how they are interconnected. Life U’s Anatomage Tables contain thousands of high-resolution 3D images taken from actual human cadavers, allowing students to label, highlight and capture detailed images to study on their own time.

Life University’s commitment to holistic development extends beyond academics. The institution boasts an impressive Athletics program offering 23 varsity sports. This past season, Life University secured National Championships in Men’s and Women’s Rugby Sevens, reached the Women’s Lacrosse semifinals, and triumphed in Men’s Outdoor Track and Field for the second consecutive year. Also, the Men’s Wrestling team achieved second place in the NAIA National Championships after taking home the first-place prize two seasons ago. These achievements are a testament to the dedication and talent of Life University’s student-athletes who excel both athletically and in the classroom, as is evidenced by their combined 3.14 GPA this past quarter.

Another initiative of the university that’s certainly one of the most vital is that of research and scholarship. Dr. Scott emphasizes the institution’s focus on research, stating, “Research is crucial for us. We must continue to fulfill a research function within our model of health to further its acceptance in the community.”

To foster a culture of research and scholarship, Life U developed a research track specifically for chiropractic students, providing them with tuition assistance and scholarships to support their research goals. Furthermore, the university encourages faculty members to actively engage in research endeavors and provides chances to present their findings through rank and promotion opportunities.

As a leader in health and wellness education, Dr. Scott envisions Life University’s pivotal role in shaping the future model of health care. “Despite spending more money than anybody on the planet, the U.S. is one of the sickest populations. We believe that our vitalistic approach to educating students about health and wellness has an integral role to play in shaping the future of healthcare delivery in our country.”

By instilling a deep understanding of holistic well-being and promoting preventive measures, Life University aims to empower future healthcare professionals with the tools necessary to combat the current healthcare crisis and lead the way toward a healthier and more sustainable healthcare system.

Dr. Scott welcomes anyone who would like to learn more about Life University to come to the campus to see it for themselves. “Our campus surprises most firsttime guests,” he says. “We have beautiful grounds, statuesque landmarks and even a historic 19th-Century village located next to a natural waterfall from Rottenwood Creek that runs through campus. We’d love to have you come for a visit to learn more about what makes Life U such a special place in our community.”

For more information about Life University, visit their website at life.edu.

By Ashley Beckman

In the last issue of Our Town, we talked about refocusing our attention midway through the year. I hope you were able to accomplish that and more. This month let’s talk about staying healthy and well in the heat of summer. As we near the end of summer break, the summer heat has just begun and in Georgia it can be brutal.

The most important thing we can do this time of year is stay hydrated. Multiple studies report that 75% of adults in the U.S. suffer from chronic dehydration. As we sweat, we not only lose water but also vitamins and minerals. The best way to restore that balance is through hydration and eating whole foods. Further supplementation may be needed at times. Burn Boot Camp has a product called Replenish, which is a powder that is mixed with water and is high in electrolytes and low in sugar. Another good option is IV hydration, delivery of fluids directly into the bloodstream. Vitamins, electrolytes and antioxidants can be added to this fluid as well.

This time of year, many of us find ourselves not eating enough of the right foods. This happens for several reasons. The first being, a decrease in appetite due to the heat. When the body is trying to keep cool, body functions such as digestion slow to not create more heat within the body. Second, when we do not eat regularly, we overindulge in foods that are readily accessible. Lastly, summer is a time for gatherings with friends and family, we are either at a restaurant, around the pool or on vacation. This can lead to consistent unhealthy choices. When I do these things, I know I am not giving my body what it needs. This month one of my goals is to make healthier food choices in all situations.

Now, let us talk about exercise. I am still taking camp at Burn Smyrna but my activity outside of the gym had to change a little. While I do enjoy a good run, this heat does not always allow for this. Some options are to run earlier or later in the day (wear a runner’s light belt if necessary), run in a shaded area or switch it up and go hiking. We have many trails in the area, find a trail near you and go exploring. A walk in nature is also beneficial for your mental health, pay attention to the things that trigger each of your senses. Swimming is also a wonderful way to stay active in the heat, it provides a great cardio workout and can be very refreshingjust don’t forget your sunscreen. If you have little ones, you can get your laps in while taking them to the pool. My husband and I signed up for a sprint triathlon in October so I will be at the pool training for the next few months for sure! If you see that the summer heat is keeping you indoors, you can always get your workout in at your local Burn Boot Camp or from the comfort of your home using our Live workouts on YouTube.

Stay cool, healthy, active and happy! using our Live workouts on YouTube.

Stay cool, healthy, active and happy!

Ashley Beckman

Burn Bootcamp Smyrna

3150 Highlands Pkwy SE Ste 113, Smyrna, GA 30082 404.465.0813