SPRING 2012 VOL. 5 ISSUE 1
A Pioneer in Portugal
LIFE UNIVERSITY’S ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Dean King Rules
The Results Are In!
PRESIDENT’S letter
Greetings LIFE Alumni! LIFE is full of truly inspirational people. As president of LIFE, I am well aware of that fact. Every day, I have the pleasure and privilege of working alongside individuals whose highest goals are to make the world around them a better, more vibrant, more vital place—starting right here, at Life University. But even though I know this to be true, sometimes it takes a particular event—a conversation I have or overhear, an interaction I experience or watch unfolding—to bring that knowledge front and center, and to remind me how uniquely powerful LIFE is. That is exactly what happened to me as I was reading through this edition of Your Extraordinary LIFE. From our current faculty and administration— Deans Leslie King and Michael Smith are featured on pages 18 and 15 in our “Meet the Faculty” and “UG Update” sections—to current and outstanding dietetics student Delma De La Fuente (pg. 10) and, of course, esteemed alums like Dr. Antonio Alves (pg. 12), this issue of YEL is full of inspirational introductions. And that’s only the profiles! Turn the page to see the latest, greatest goings-on at LIFE, and the people who are making them happen. Read on to learn how we’re working closely with some of our alumni who embody Lasting Purpose through their life’s work: an innovative new online CE venture, and a wellness program designed to help you maximize the length, breadth and depth of your life (both on pg. 21). Take a look at the long list of names honoring those alumni and friends who have helped to bring a whole new generation of incredible people to
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Turn the page to see the latest, greatest goingson at LIFE, and the people who are making them happen.
LIFE (pgs. 6-7), by referring a student to Life University for Fall 2011. Flip to the back of this and every issue to catch up with mini-updates on your fellow graduates in the Class Notes section (pg. 22), submitted by your classmates themselves. As you enjoy this edition of YEL, I encourage you to spend some time getting to know each of the individuals who are featured, in ways large and small, on the following pages. Look up a colleague’s practice website, or browse through an old yearbook to see how far they (and you) have come. If a particular story resonates with you, please reach out with a word of thanks, encouragement or commiseration, or share the details of your own journey. The Alumni Association and the YEL staff will be happy to pass along your message and connect you with the person who inspired you to write back. You may even be invited to tell your own inspirational story in a future issue. You can find all the contact information you’ll need on the facing page. As for me, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank one inspirational individual in particular – you. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to make your life, and our LIFE, extraordinary. Yours in Chiropractic,
Guy F. Riekeman, D.C. President
2012 Your Extraordinary LIFE The Alumni Magazine of Life University
Contents
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FEATURES
10 The Road to an R.D. LIFE student Delma De La Fuente overcame many challenges to find a career path that both fulfills her and helps others.
12 A Trailblazer for Chiropractic Dr. Antonio Alves has spent the past 20 years fighting for the chiropractic profession in his native Portugal.
16 The Results Are In! We asked, you answered. Check out the results of our most recent alumni survey.
18 Dr. Leslie King Rules NEW SOUTH PUBLISHING, INC.
LIFE UNIVERSITY
Jamie Ryan Publisher
Guy F. Riekeman, D.C. President
Larry Lebovitz President
Greg Harris Vice President for University Advancement
John Hanna Vice President
Craig Dekshenieks Director of Communications
Gwyn Herbein Editor
Molly Dickinson Communications Coordinator
Amy Fine Production Coordinator/ Circulation Manager
Leila Tatum Alumni Relations Manager
Garon Hart Graphic Designer
Leslie King, dean of instruction in the College of Chiropractic, uses her passion to advocate for LIFE students.
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Guy D’Alema Senior Photographer
4 Your Extraordinary LIFE magazine is published three times a year by New South Publishing, 450 Northridge Parkway, Ste. 202, Atlanta, GA 30350. 770-650-1102; Fax: 770-650-2848. Postmaster: Send address changes to Your Extraordinary LIFE, 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta, GA 30060-9854. It is the purpose of Your Extraordinary LIFE to promote the events, accomplishments, accolades and philosophies of Life University and its faculty, staff and students to current, prospective and former students, as well as the academic community at large. Life University is a private, nonprofit institution founded in 1974. For more information, write to Life University, 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta, GA 30060, or visit LIFE.edu. Material in this publication may not be reprinted without written permission from the editorial offices in Marietta. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2012 Life University. Printed in the USA.
Athletics LIFE’s Rugby wins Sevens Championship, bid to collegiate championship; LIFE wins A.I.I. Men’s Basketball Tournament; Professor receives grant; KSU athletes come to LIFE
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Lasting Purpose Our LIFE; Dedicated to LIFE; Charitable trusts
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UG Update What’s happening in the College of Undergraduate Studies
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News from Alumni Relations UG Student Holiday Social; Alumni Association scholarship winners; Season of giving; Instant Poll; Real World: DCs; New CE registration
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Postgrad & CE Online education for chiropractors; the 100 Year Lifestyle program
Reader Comments See something you are excited about? How about something that makes your blood boil? Write in and tell us about it! Please submit all comments to Alumni@LIFE.edu.
Around Campus: What’s New at LIFE? LIFE launches a new website; LIFE’s Functional Neurology Center featured on TV’s “The Doctors;” Dr. Sid Williams recovering from stroke
Jen Lesshafft Alumni Relations Coordinator
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Class Notes Mark Your Calendar Alumni Events
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What’s New at LIFE launches new website In December, Life University launched its new website, completing a six-month process designed to improve functionality, navigation and overall look and feel. The new navigation and structure has been redesigned to be much more userfriendly, and to enable users—including prospective and current students, faculty and staff, alumni and other visitors—to find what they are looking for more quickly and easily.
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As with any change, our new look might cause some initial surprise. The next time you visit LIFE.edu, please take just a few minutes to explore where everything is housed; the simplicity and ease-of-use of the new design should be apparent to you. We hope you like the new design! We welcome your comments and feedback. Please send your thoughts to Webmaster@LIFE.edu.
LIFE’s Functional Neurology Center featured on TV’s “The Doctors” LIFE distinguished professor Dr. F.R. Carrick, world-renowned chiropractic neurologist, educator and clinician in LIFE’s newly opened Functional Neurology Center, was featured in a segment addressing a groundbreaking new therapy for concussions on “The Doctors” television series in January. The segment was entitled “12 Tricks to Save Your Life in 2012.” Carrick, a member of the team selected to care for Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby following a concussion injury, joined the show by phone to describe the GyroStim therapy. Another of Carrick’s patients joined by PolyCom from Marietta to report on his successful experience with the GyroStim, also after suffering a concussion. The GyroStim is a computerized, multi-axis rotating chair, designed to stimulate the nervous system—specifically, the vestibulospinal system—and to encourage the creation of new synapses. Life University’s Functional Neurology Center possesses one of only five such therapeutic devices in the world. Working in partnership with Carrick, LIFE has secured his exclusive clinical services and those of a notable team of
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Dr. Sid Williams recovering from stroke On Dec. 24, LIFE founder and former president Dr. Sid Williams suffered a stroke. He was taken to Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Ga., early Christmas Eve morning and then transferred to Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. His rehabilitation is progressing, and he was recently released to continue his recovery at home. Dr. Sid Williams’s Facebook page is continuously updated by his family and friends with information about his progress. The Williams family respectfully requests that there be no visits or calls at this time, but thanks the Life University family for their kind words, prayers and support.
board-certified chiropractic neurologists who staff the clinic. The LIFE Functional Neurology Center was created specifically to address the rising demand for non-surgical and non-pharmaceutical care of neurological conditions. “The Doctors” is internationally syndicated in the U.S. and Canada. To view the segment on the GyroStim and LIFE’s Functional Neurology Center online, visit TheDoctorsTV.com/videolib/init/5707. The creation of the Center, as well as the significant media coverage it has already received, represents a major achievement in Life University’s continued mission to establish itself as a thought leader in the emerging field of functional neurology research.
Dr. Sid Williams
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AROUND campus
SPORT HEALTH SCIENCE PROGRAM IN THE NEWS! LIFE’s Rugby Sevens team goes for the Triple Crown The Life University Rugby Sevens team has swept through the competition recently, capturing the inaugural USA Rugby Sevens Collegiate National Championship in December and the prestigious Las Vegas Invitational in February. They have now qualified for the exclusive Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC), which will take place in June in Philadelphia and will air live on NBC. That makes three tournaments—two down and one more crown to go. We want LIFE to be the largest and loudest cheering section at the competition. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for LIFE to shine on national television—and you can be there! LIFE will go head to head with 15 of the finest college rugby teams in the nation, including Cal, Oklahoma, Navy, Texas, Notre Dame and defending champion Buy your ticket packages Dartmouth. Let’s show those online at big schools that LIFE not only www.LifeRunningEagles.com belongs, but does it better! and score the LIFE
Team discount! LIFE wins Division I basketball tournament, advances to NAIA Nationals Life University’s Running Eagles are the 2012 Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Division I men’s basketball champions! March 2-4, 2012, Life University hosted the AII Tournament on campus. The A.I.I. is an assemblage of six NAIA institutions that are not affiliated with any conference. Other participating teams were Morris College, Voorhees College and Allen University from South Carolina; Mountain State University from West Virginia; and Cal State San Marcos from California. LIFE played Cal State San Marcos in the championship game on Sunday, March 4, winning 90-65. The Running Eagles entered the tournament as the fourth seed and knocked off the No. 1 and No. 2 seeded teams to secure their bid to the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., March 14-20. In addition to our victory, hosting the tournament was great exposure for Life University—particularly when it came to showing off our athletic facilities, our beautiful campus and our Southern hospitality. Spring
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Professor receives grant to study state’s P.E. and health teachers Dr. Jeffrey C. Rupp, professor in Life University’s Sports Health Science department, has been named a co-investigator on a grant from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, which will evaluate the accuracy of health and physical education (P.E.) teachers’ abilities to assess the physical fitness levels of their students statewide. The Georgia Students’ Health and Physical Education (S.H.A.P.E.) Partnership was established in 2010 as a collaboration between several public and private agencies: the Georgia Governor’s Office, the Georgia Department of Education, the Georgia Department of Public Health, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the Atlanta Falcon’s Youth Foundation, and the Atlanta Braves Foundation. As a major initiative of this partnership, the S.H.A.P.E. grant represents one step toward achieving the group’s mission to address the current prevalence of childhood and youth obesity and inactivity in the state of Georgia.
KSU athletes come to LIFE Two days a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, LIFE students set up their adjusting tables to provide sport chiropractic care to between 40 and 50 student athletes from neighboring Kennesaw State University. Currently, the practicum group consists of 10 Sport Health Science students who are either concurrently enrolled in the D.C. program, or have graduated from the program and are completing their Master of Sport Health Science degrees. Ten years ago, Dr. Keith Rau (’82), Life University Sport Health Science professor, began independently providing care to KSU’s athletes. It was only three years ago that he was able to realize his dream of bringing LIFE students on board. “What began very humbly has grown into a very busy and productive endeavor,” Rau says. “While no referral is needed, we work closely with [KSU’s] athletic training staff to provide an integrated care package.” In addition to the student athletes, many of KSU’s athletic trainers, coaches and athletic administrators also receive care at LIFE.
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LASTING PURPOSE
Our LIFE: Life University Is the Lighthouse for VISION When we began the D.C. program at Life University many years ago, our oldest son was just a baby. This fall, he will enter his first quarter at LIFE. We are so excited for him to begin his education and become a fellow chiropractor, but we are more excited for him to experience the VISION! We all know that Life University embraces the idea that we are spiritual beings whose lives are directed by universal laws, including the natural, vitalistic, innate ability to grow, heal and adapt as long as the body is kept free from interference. But there is so much more! LIFE is about higher conscience, higher impact and higher self-accountability. It’s about LASTING PURPOSE. Where else on this planet can you live and learn in such a magnificent environment?
university in the world. We will continue to support the vision at Life University in any way we can. Our society is in need of positive change and we believe the vision at Life University is the lighthouse that is going to guide our profession to collectively elevate society and evolve our healthcare in the ways it so desperately needs. With this in mind, it gives us great enthusiasm to know our son will participate in the LIFE Movement; a movement that holds the promise of a more meaningful life. It is an honor to have graduated from such an amazing university. We are so proud of the transformations and new directions that have continued to make Life University the best vital health
Many blessings, Kristin and Dan Ribley, Class of 1997 and 1998
LIFE—whether to our world-renowned Chiropractic program, or any of our vital health and science-based degrees. Referring students to Life University helps advance our objectives in three ways: • Raises awareness of Chiropractic and Vitalism around the world; • Increases the number of vitalistic chiropractors and vitalistic-oriented
professionals worldwide; • Makes a difference with Lasting Purpose: To Give, To Do, To Love, To Serve, Out of a Sense of Abundance. Thanks to the following Alumni & Friends who referred a student enrolling in the Fall 2011 quarter. Names were provided by students upon their application for admission.
Dedicated to LIFE Life University is dedicated to the idea of ensuring that the world has access to vitalistic healthcare. This encompasses access to both Chiropractic and integrated care, and to an education rooted in chiropractic and vitalistic philosophy. To that end, we would like to recognize those alumni and friends who have assisted us with our mission by referring a student to Dr. Paul Ahearn - A Dr. Christopher Alberts - A,L Dr. James Alberty - A Ms. Sahar Amouzegar-Asli - A Dr. Kasper Andresen Dr. Timothy Annis - A Mr. Tygue Arvidson Dr. Joshua Axe - A,L Dr. Craig Bachar - A Dr. Richard Bass - A Dr. Tom Bauer - L Dr. Thomas Baur - A,L Dr. James Becroft - A Dr. Joseph Belcher - L Ms. Thais Bermudez
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Ms. Mandice Bethea Dr. Vito Bianco - A Mr. Jeremy Bills Dr. Thaddeus Bosman - A,L Dr. Mark Botha - A,L Dr. Morris Braum - A,F Mr. Chris Brown Mr. Andrew Burns Dr. Bobby Butler - A Ms. Christian Cade Dr. Todd Cadwell Dr. Pete Camiolo Dr. Howard Carey - L Mr. Jeremiah Cariaga Dr. Hector Carrasquillo - A
Dr. Ted Carrick Ms. Brittany Chambers Dr. Frank Cicirello Ms. Parythia Clark Dr. Michael Cody Dr. Norman Colby - A,L,PC Dr. Mark Colligan - A Mr. Jeremy Craig - A Ms. Candice Crawford Dr. Kevin Crowder - A Dr. Joseph Cucci - L Mr. Bruce Cupp Dr. Jean-Guy Daigneault - A,L Dr. Ali Dehdashti Ms. Amy Dejohn
Dr. Eddy Diaz - A,L Dr. Robert Diegel - A Dr. Rick Digregorio Dr. Michael Donaldson - A Dr. John Downes - A,F Dr. Jeffrey Draesel - A Ms. Chelsea Drda Mr. Lewis Everrit Dr. Renee Felver - A Dr. Mark Ferdarko - F Dr. Angelo Ferrari - A Dr. Neil Fico - A Dr. Nathaniel Fields - A,L Dr. Kyle Fogel - A Dr. Troy Fortin - A
Mr. Daniel Fowler Dr. Catherine Franklin - A,L,PC Dr. Edward Frisbee - A Dr. Kurt Froese - A,L Dr. David Fuller - A Mr. Francisco Fuster Dr. John George Mr. Sohayb Giroush Dr. Laura Godfrey - A Dr. Tod Goldbury Dr. Sharon Gorman - A,L,PC Dr. Shannon Griffin - A Mr. Howard Hadley Dr. Kenneth Hamilton - A Dr. Lawrence Hansen - A,F
LASTING PURPOSE
Dr. Jerry Hardee - A,PC,F Dr. Andy Harris - A Dr. Michael Hatrak Dr. Chadwick Hawk - A Dr. Lou Ann Hedden - L Dr. Rachel Herman - A,L Dr. Leslie Hernandez - A Dr. Dennis Heskett - A,L Dr. Terry Hill Dr. Melissa Holas - A Dr. Joseph Hornberger - A Dr. Kreg Huffer - L,PC Dr. Kevin Jackson - A,L,PC Dr. Richard Javarone - A Ms. Thermie Jean Dr. David Jockers - A Dr. Kris Johnson Dr. Jeremiah Joseph - A Dr. Stephen Judson - A Ms. Mimi Kasten-Chatwood Dr. Steven Kern Dr. Keith Khalil - A,L Dr. Yong Hyeon Kim - A Ms. Bianca Kiovanni Dr. Garrett Lambert - A Dr. David Lee - A Dr. Michelle Lehotay - A Dr. Sam Lewis - A,L Dr. Jesse Liebman - A Ms. Lauren Liebold
Mr. Hoon Lim Mr. Kevis Lindsay Dr. Andrew Linial - A Dr. Keith Liston - A Dr. Blake Livingood - A Dr. Peter London - A Dr. Anna Loranger Dr. Joseph Lupo - A,L,PC Dr. John Madeira - L Ms. Samantha March Dr. Larry Marchese - A,L,PC Mr. Ryan Marchman Dr. Dennis Mariano Dr. Shawn Martin - L Dr. Holly Martin-Riley Mr. Benny Mateialona Dr. Karen Maxwell - A,L Mr. Cameron Maynard Ms. Suzanne McBride - A Dr. Philip McCarty - A Dr. Terry McCoskey - L Mr. Lloyd McGuffin Dr. C. Mertz Dr. Keith Messamore Dr. Kevin Michaels - A,L Mr. Joel Mills Mr. Mitchell Mink Ms. Phyllis Moore Dr. LuAnn Moratto - A Ms. Sarah Moreau
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Dr. John Morris - A Ms. Shannon Murray Dr. James Nerincy - A,L Dr. Adam Nieves - A,L Ms. Tanish Nunn Dr. Raymond Omid - A,L Dr. Reuben Orr - A Dr. Victor Palffy - A Dr. Mike Paralovos - A,L Dr. Kamlesh Patel - A Dr. Craig Patterson Ms. Alexandra Pedroza Dr. Palmer Peet - A,L Dr. Mary Grace Pennella - L Dr. Michael Pfeffer Mr. Gary Phillips Dr. Brock Pinelli - A Dr. Ed Plentz - L Dr. Steve Pollack - A,L Dr. David Potter Dr. Kurt Price - A Ms. Kei Ramsey Dr. Denise Rassel - A,L,PC Dr. William Reddy - A Ms. Laurie Reichert Mr. Mark Reitman Dr. Lawrence Ribley - A,L,PC Dr. James Richards - A Dr. Luis Rivera - A,L Ms. Paisley Robertson
Mr. Ivan Rodriguez-Goire Dr. Luis Rodriquez - L Dr. Havard Rognerud Dr. Heather Rooks - A,L Dr. Michael Ross - A Dr. Drew Rubin - A,L,PC,F Dr. Lynda Sanders-Brown - A,L Dr. David Sayer - L Mr. Craig Schiffman Dr. Bryan Schuetz - A Dr. David Seeley - A Dr. Tijana Sefic - A Dr. Carlos Selles - A,L Dr. Jacob Seng - A Dr. Jamie Settimi - L Mr. Clarence Shipman Ms. Jeffranic Shivers Dr. Benjamin Shultz - A Dr. Selina Sigafoose-Jackson - A,L,PC Dr. Matthew Singer Dr. Jean-Marc Slak - A,L Dr. Gregory Smallwood - A Dr. Jessica Smiley Mr. Warren Smith Dr. Elizabeth Smolick - A,L Dr. Young-Sung Song - A Dr. Erin Sousley - A Mr. Ryan Stamp Mr. Nico Staples
Dr. Kim Stetzel (Rahuba) - A,L,PC Dr. Steven Szatkowski - A,L Dr. Dana Tankell - A,L Dr. Thomas Taylor - A Dr. Diane Tellier - A,L Time Towne Mr. William Twyman Mr. Brian Utley Dr. Steven Ventola - A Dr. Greg Waldrop - A Dr. Brian Wallace - A,L Dr. Kevin Walsh - A Dr. Mary Jane Ward - A Mr. Parker Ward III Dr. Scott Warner - A Dr. Robert Watkins - A Dr. Claire Welsh - A,L Ms. Kawanda Williams Dr. Bryan Wills Dr. Judith Wilson - A Dr. Daniel Wise - A Ms. Linnette Yard - A A= L= PC= F=
Alumnus Lifeforce 1000 Doctor President’s Circle Faculty
President’s Circle When we turn our hands to the promotion of our chiropractic profession and the education of our neighbors, we turn our eyes to The President’s Circle for the resources—advice, wherewithal and influence—to reach out to the world. For more information, please contact Tom McCleskey, manager of constituent relations, at (770) 426-2660 or Thomas.McCleskey@LIFE.edu.
LIFEforce 1000 The LIFEforce 1000 tribe is currently dedicated to two projects: looking for 1,000 committed members and filling Life University with students who are passionate and will spread Chiropractic around the world, now and for decades to come. To that end, they have made a commitment to each other to accomplish three things: send five students to Life University in the next five years, host two Student Recruiting Events each year and attend a LIFEforce 1000 Weekend in Atlanta within the next year. For more information, please visit www.LIFE.edu/LIFEforce1000, or contact Dr. Kathryn Haag at (678) 331-4331 or at LIFEforce@LIFE.edu. To submit a correction: If you see an error in our list, please contact Alumni Relations at Alumni@LIFE.edu or at (800) 543-3203.
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LASTING PURPOSE
Three Ways a Charitable Trust Can Help You The words “charitable trust” sound complicated, out of reach and possibly even scary. But this common investment tool can provide you with wonderful financial benefits. There are three advantages to setting up a charitable trust— gains, income and deduction. What You Can Gain One of the major advantages of a charitable trust is the ability to bypass the capital gains tax. This is a tax on appreciated assets, which would be good to avoid. Because a charitable trust is a tax-exempt entity, the trust is able to
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sell an appreciated asset and pay zero tax. Thus, the principal amount of the trust is kept intact and available for investment. How You Can Increase Income Usually the asset funding a charitable trust is a low-yielding, highly appreciated asset. The asset may be a stock yielding a 2 or 3 percent dividend or a piece of nonincome-producing property. By selling the asset inside the trust, the trustee (whom you can appoint) can reinvest the asset at a higher return than previously earned. And, you will receive a payout of 5 percent or greater, resulting in an increased earned income stream. What You Can Deduct When a charitable trust ends, based upon a designated number of years or a
donor’s lifetime, the assets are contributed to a nonprofit institution like Life University. Therefore, as the donor you will receive an income tax deduction for the value of the eventual asset transferred to charity. This deduction is provided at the time the trust is established and can substantially reduce your taxes. Several factors play into the deduction calculation, such as the value of the property placed in the trust, the annual income payout rate selected and the ages of the donor(s). If this sounds like something you would like to explore, please contact Greg Harris, vice president for University Advancement, at (770) 426-2836 or Greg.Harris@LIFE.edu. Greg can meet with you and run flowchart scenarios based upon your portfolio.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
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The Road to an R.D. For LIFE student Delma De La Fuente, the path to becoming a Registered Dietitian was paved with challenges BY JEN LESSHAFFT
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hen she left home at 17, Delma De La Fuente knew she was making a life-changing decision—what she didn’t realize was how many lives she’d actually be influencing. Upon advice from her mentor and Girl Scout leader (or mother-in-love, as De La Fuente calls her), De La Fuente left her native south Texas to pursue what
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she felt were better opportunities in upstate New York, where she finished her senior year of high school. With plans to become a lawyer, she went on to graduate in 1988 from Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., where she majored in government and minored in philosophy. De La Fuente then moved to Washington, D.C. to work for a large law firm. But
after just a few years, her Texas roots called her home. She moved back to Texas, where she met 1990 LIFE graduate Roy Mullins, D.C. It was then that she first heard about the Triad of Health—mind, body and spirit—and began to learn how the modern medical world ignores the vital relationship between health and these three essential elements. De La
“Going back to school to earn a degree in dietetics would allow me the opportunity to change lives, starting with my own.”— Delma De La Fuente Fuente was struck by how forcefully and immediately her newfound interest took hold of her life. She realized she had never really felt fulfilled in her work, and after her conversations with Mullins, she began to understand her true calling wasn’t in a law office. “There was something missing,” she says. “I knew it was time to make a career change.” Energized by her newfound passion for Vitalism and the Triad of Health, De La Fuente decided to go back to school, this time to study health and wellness, and to become a Registered Dietitian. “Going back to school to earn a degree in dietetics would allow me the opportunity to change lives, starting with my own,” she says. “I knew LIFE was here and that it embodied a vision that resonated with me personally.” Still, she had a long, uneven road ahead of her. De La Fuente moved to Atlanta with her husband and daughter in 1999, with the intention of earning her R.D. credential. It would be more than a decade before she finally made good on that promise. Over the years, De La Fuente struggled to realize her dream. She tried, twice, to start school all over again. Twice, she failed. A battery of obstacles seemed to rise up in her path. She and her husband separated in 2004, and she became a single mother to her then fiveyear-old daughter, Raquel. Hobbled by regret and a lack of confidence, De La Fuente was dealt another blow when she was diagnosed with a potentially lifethreatening disease in late 2007. That blow, however, turned out to be the push she needed to finally begin her personal journey to wellness—and to becoming a certified wellness professional. “Part of my healing path led me to become a certified educator at the Living Foods Institute (LFI) in Atlanta,” De La Fuente says. “Two major revelations profoundly impacted me: the power of our emotions and the power of a plantbased diet, especially raw food. I discovered that feelings, attitudes
and emotions impact our health. I realized that I was damaging myself by harboring regret and other negative feelings such as ‘I am not smart enough,’ or ‘the material I have to learn is too hard for me’ or ‘I won’t fit in because I am too old.’” (De La Fuente is in her mid-40s.) Her LFI experience left her confident and determined. This time, as she prepared to head back to school yet again, she knew would finish. To further prepare herself to tackle the rigorous dietetics program at LIFE, she undertook raw food chef training in Boston, also earning a Plant-Based Certification from Cornell University in conjunction with the T. Collin Campbell Foundation. Fueled by her newfound knowledge and experience, and feeling stronger and healthier than ever, she applied and was accepted to LIFE’s Nutrition Program in October 2010. “While I was going through training at LFI and then as a staff member, I realized how deeply fulfilling working directly with people is to me,” De La Fuente recalls. “It was that realization, along with my long-held desire to become credentialed in the world of nutrition, that enabled me to take the leap of faith to enroll at LIFE, this time for the long haul.” Today, De La Fuente is just months away from graduation. She’s a LIFE Student Ambassador, a private tutor, a member of LIFE’s Diversity Committee
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and actively involved in LIFE’s Nutrition Club. She’s also putting her passion to work to help educate local middle school students on the importance of nutrition and healthy eating through Smoothie Dream, a nutrition education program geared toward middle school students in the Atlanta Public School (APS) system. The pilot program, currently being taught at Sutton Middle School in Atlanta, is used as a platform to present how and why healthy food is important, using the kid- and health-friendly model of simple fruit- and vegetable-based smoothies. Since being invited by APS to help implement the program, De La Fuente has taught hundreds of students about the benefits of healthy eating. “We’ve had great feedback. Everyone loves the program,” De La Fuente says. “The students are trying new, healthy foods [like kale and spinach] and they actually want to go to the grocery store with their parents. They are excited about making smarter choices.” There are plans in place for her Smoothie Dream sessions to be recorded, edited and uploaded to the APS website to allow parents, teachers and individuals the opportunity to benefit from the information. She’s also hoping it could help recruit registered dietitians to adopt a school and conduct similar sessions. The theme of her lesson is “The Big Idea—You Are What You Eat.” It’s a lesson De La Fuente has personally experienced, and one she loves sharing with others. Serving as a community educator, she says, will always be a part of her career. She envisions herself working in a large corporate environment, directing its wellness program, coaching employees and their families on how to make better nutritional choices. Eventually, she hopes to move back to the Texas hill country and open her own wellness haven focused on preventive modalities such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation and wellness classes. For now, she looks forward to the day when she can call herself Delma De La Fuente, R.D.—a day that now, finally, is more reality than dream.
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ALUM CLOSE UP
For most chiropractors who have worked hard to obtain a degree and set up a successful practice, it’s probably difficult to imagine living in a place where they are unable to work in their chosen field. But that is just what happened to Dr. Antonio Alves, a native of Portugal and a 1985 graduate of Life University. After he graduated and moved back to Portugal, his career was stymied by the fact that his homeland did not recognize Chiropractic as a legitimate health care field—but not for long. Since then (more than 20 years), Alves has been an agent for change in Portugal, and an advocate for the career he is so passionate about. Like many chiropractors, Alves came to Chiropractic via an unconventional route. Alves was born in Portugal, but grew up in France. He began his professional studies in business, but after suffering a lower-back injury practicing karate, he could only find relief in Chiropractic. The influence of his chiropractor, Dr. Didier Jouffrieau, led him to give up a promising career in business to pursue Chiropractic. He studied in a pre-chiropractic curriculum for a year in Paris before spending eight months at the Cleveland Chiropractic College in Cleveland, Ohio. While the career change was positive, the environment was not. “I didn’t like the weather,” he says with a laugh. So, he transferred to Life University in temperate Marietta, Ga. Here, the combination of his passion and his surrounding environment created an incredible experience. Of his time at LIFE, Alves says that the institution “will remain in my heart for life.” He attributes his positive experience to his “colleagues, students, the teachers, Dr. Sid Williams and the staff.” Upon his return to Portugal, Alves had many adjustments to make, both within the culture and within his career. “Portugal is a very laid-back country, and is not as well-developed as the States,” he explains. “For the first few months, it was difficult to get used to the way of life.” Once the culture shock wore off, he began to tackle the arduous task of changing the relationship between Portugal and Chiropractic. Alves started with a blank slate: no statutes, accreditation standards or laws existed that defined Chiropractic as a profession. Part of the problem with this situation, according to Alves, is that “anyone can call themselves a chiropractor,” regardless of their level of training, education or adherence to the basic philosophies and principles of the field. Compounding these obvious problems, Alves encountered significant adversity and opposition to change, both from the public and the medical establishment. He persevered, and in 1999,
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founded the Portuguese Chiropractors Association (APQ). Once Alves got the ball rolling in Portugal, he was able to join the growing number of chiropractors across Europe to advance the profession. The APQ joined the European Chiropractors Union (ECU), an organization dedicated to promoting Chiropractic all across Europe. The relationship flourished, and in 2007, the ECU held its annual conference in Vilamoura, Portugal. Since the founding of the APQ, Alves has been busy preparing a set of laws to govern the profession in Portugal. In 2003, the APQ established a set of common laws that it shares with five other professions. Entitled “Laws of Basic Framing of the NonConventional Therapeutics,” and organized into five chapters and 20 articles, it covers everything from the rights of patients, to defining who is responsible for overseeing the practitioners (the Ministers of Education, Science and Higher Education). Alves’ efforts have proven successful – currently, there are approximately 30 chiropractors practicing in Portugal. While the number may seem small by American standards, the growth has been partially slowed by Portugal’s geography and its economy. “Portugal is a small country,” explains Alves. “For the past five or six years, Portugal has been going through an economic breakdown,” which has resulted in many would-be chiropractors moving to neighboring Spain, or other European countries such as Italy or Ireland. Alves also notes that the cost of living in Portugal has remained high, despite the fact that many of its residents are not prospering economically. Despite these challenges, Alves continues to look forward. He notes that there is still much ground to cover in terms of accreditation for chiropractors and, later this year, he plans to work with the health minister to approve documentation on the issue. Also in 2012, he hopes to establish regulations based on the 2003 laws, which would give chiropractors complete autonomy, and he is investigating the possibility of opening a chiropractic school. The APQ discontinued their membership in the ECU at the end of 2011, for what Alves describes as economic and political reasons. While Portugal is on its own for now, according to Alves, it may rejoin the ECU at some point in the future. Very soon, Alves plans to hand off the APQ presidency, so that he can continue to focus on the work ahead. He is proud of the progress that has been made over the past two decades, while acknowledging that much more remains to be done. “Chiropractic has a good name in Portugal,” says Alves. “The medical profession is very open to Chiropractic.” With Alves leading the way, his country’s fellow and future chiropractors can rest assured they will see their chosen field, their practices and their place in Portugal continue to grow for years to come.
A Trailblazer for Chiropractic BY GWYN HERBEIN
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UG Update Business The Business Department is developing an entrepreneurship specialization in Business. Entrepreneurship & Social Media is a new course offered for the first time this spring quarter. It was developed by Marie Powell, assistant professor, who is also teaching the course (Powell began as a full-time instructor this spring). The next proposed course in this specialization, Entrepreneurship & Social Change, was taken to the Curriculum Committee in January. A Capstone course in Entrepreneurship will be the next course to be developed.
The Department received new computers for a classroom in the Center for Undergraduate Studies, which will replace 10-year-old equipment.
Professor Ron Kath’s proposal for a Center for Entrepreneurship has won approval from the Academic & Provost Council, and is currently awaiting funding (funding approval also looks highly promising).
General Education Dr. Cherry Collier, instructor in the Life Coaching program, was recently published in the journal of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA). Collier presented research for a POWER UP formula to help individuals maximize profitability in a tough economy: P Promote positive attitude, O - Open your mind to new ideas, W - Watch who is being hired, E - Energize yourself, R Research your personal style, U Understand behavior and P - Press on. Collier was also invited to present during
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the 2011 NBMBAA Conference, where she helped executive and college student participants leverage more personal resources for success. She also recently presented a research paper at the International Coach Federation. This paper highlighted a roadmap through the field of coaching, showing the roots of positive psychology and helping to match the practice of coaching to the research of psychology.
Professor brings “I Have a Dream” to LIFE “I Have a Dream,” written by Josh Greenfeld, is a gospel musical based on the life of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It covers the time period from Dec. 1, 1955, when Ms. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Ala., through his assassination on April 4, 1968. The musical explores how the historic actions of Ms. Parks launched the civil rights movement, which consequently thrust King into his legendary leadership at the very center of the movement. The project was sponsored by the Life University Diversity Committee and SABCA, in association with the Life U Players Theatre Ensemble and TheatreSouth Atlanta, Inc. The musical was directed by Professor Herman LeVern Jones of Life University. Musical direction of the play was under the guidance of Dr. Gregory McPherson. The play ran mutliple shows from Feb. 22-26, and was open to the public. Current English 110 student Sabrina Nyka published her story, “The Real World of Flying,” on AirplaneReading.org.
Dr. Michael Montgomery, professor in the English Department, has work appearing this month in The Quotable, The Resurrectionist and The Reprint.
Nutrition The Department of Nutrition offered three courses for the new Master of Clinical Nutrition program, beginning this past winter quarter.
The 2010-2011 Dietetic Interns completed the program on June 24, 2011. As of now, 14 of the 16 interns have taken and passed the National Registered Dietitian Exam on their first attempts.
Dr. Kathleen Rourke, Ph.D., R.N., R.D., started as a new faculty member in the department on Monday, Sept. 19, 2011. Rourke comes to the department with significant teaching experience and a clinical background in the fields of both nursing and dietetics. She retains a B.S. in Nutrition and Microbiology, a B.S.N. in Nursing, an M.S. in Health Promotion and a Ph.D. in Nutrition Science with a minor in Exercise Physiology. Rourke taught students in dietetics and nursing, as well as medical students and residents, before working as a Dean of Graduate Studies and variously in the field of health sciences for more than a decade. In this capacity, Rourke was instrumental in helping to develop colleges and universities of health sciences, and to develop and implement innovative curricular models. Included in her curricular modeling were online dietetics programs. Rourke has also been actively involved in research and writing, primarily focused on the influence of weight changes on bone mass in young adolescent girls. Her work resulted in the development of a syndicated program that has been broadcast throughout the U.S. on several major network channels. Rourke has also held several positions within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, including serving as a member of the House of Delegates Leadership team and serving on the Board of Directors. The Department of Nutrition and Life University is very fortunate to have gained a faculty member with her knowledge and experience.
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Head of the Class Dean Michael Smith, Ph.D. uses his student experience to help build the ultimate undergraduate experience at LIFE. BY JEN LESSHAFFT As Interim Dean of the College of Undergraduate Studies, Michael Smith, Ph.D., understands the impact a college dean can have on a student and his or her future. He learned this firsthand as an undergraduate student at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss. Smith wanted to pursue a master’s degree and had always dreamed of going to Tuskegee University in Alabama. He wanted to learn more about his options for graduate school and instead of talking with an enrollment specialist, he went directly to the source—his dean. Dean Walter LaForge welcomed Smith into his office, where he sat with him and discussed graduate school options. LaForge gave Smith a Peterson’s Guide to Graduate School, a publication deemed the gold standard reference guide for that purpose, and encouraged him to read it. “Knowing now how busy a dean is, I am incredibly grateful that Dean LaForge actually took the time to talk with me and guide me,” Smith says. “He didn’t tell me what to do or where to go, he helped guide me to where I should be.” Remembering how this specific interaction influenced his life, Smith made it his mission to mentor and guide his students, and encourages his faculty to do the same. “I want my faculty to mentor and make an impact in our students’ lives,” Smith says. “We’re the air traffic controllers and the students are the pilots. We need to guide them while they’re here, but also provide them with guidance for where they want to go.” His experiences in college helped shape him into the educator he is now. Smith’s genetics professor and mentor, Dr. John Williams, encouraged his class to always think and apply real-life scenarios to what was taught in the textbook. He provided a plan and taught the importance of mastering your field—something Smith will never forget. “I made it a lifelong charge to know everything about my discipline, but to also learn about other areas too,” Smith says. “As Dr. Williams always said, ‘Don’t read things you know the most about. Read things that you know the least about. That’s called growth.’ People will respect you when you can have a conversation with them.” At LIFE, Smith applies the advice he received from Williams to his relationship with the University’s Master’s and Chiropractic programs. He knows he will be most effective in his role as
dean of Undergraduate Studies if he is highly in tune with the wants, needs and goings-on of his fellow colleges and their leadership. Before coming to LIFE, Smith was a biology instructor at Mississippi Valley State University, graduate programs director at the University of Mississippi, and pre-professional advisor and site coordinator for a National Science Foundation grant at his undergraduate alma mater, Delta State University. At Delta State, he formed a class strictly for those students wanting to pursue a professional degree. Each week, he brought in a different professional to speak to the class about his or her career. This class, which originally enrolled 20 students, grew to more than 60 students. Smith’s success in recruiting didn’t end there. He also implemented a grant-funded program that helped to triple the number of minority students attending Delta State and pursuing advanced degrees in graduate and doctorate programs across the U.S. This program “We’re the air traffic was soon adopted by several controllers and the universities. As a grad student students are the pilots. himself, Smith facilitated We need to guide them training recruiters on how to while they’re here, but also use his recruiting model. When asked about his goals provide them with guidance for where they want to go.” for the College of Undergraduate Studies, Smith says he wants it to have the same excellent reputation in the community as the College of Chiropractic does. He also hopes to garner the same recognition and respect. “When someone outside the LIFE community meets a LIFE student, I want them to ask ‘Are you in the Chiropractic program or Undergraduate program?’” Smith says. With Smith at the helm, LIFE’s undergraduate college is moving in the right direction. Dean Michael Smith, Ph.D.
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The Results Are In! LEILA TATUM
In October and November of 2011, LIFE’s educational research partner, Eduventures, conducted an online survey of our alumni. The invitation was emailed to almost 2,700 alumni and a postcard was sent to 1,500 alums. The email response rate was 15.5 percent, which is higher than the industry average of 10 percent. The responses were segmented by classes from the following eras:
24% 1977–1984
19% 1995–1999
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LIFE has positively impacted your career!
You love us!
When asked about the impact your LIFE education had on your career, almost 86 percent of you indicated that it was positive. In your own words:
The response was overwhelming. A whopping 88 percent of respondents indicated that they had a positive opinion of Life University. This is a 5-point increase from last year and an amazing 21-point increase from 2009. We must be doing something right! Here is what some of you had to say:
“I love all of the changes that are happening on campus.”
27%
“I love and respect Guy Riekeman; Drs. Sid and Nell too. I would encourage anyone interested in Chiropractic to attend my school.”
1985–1994
13%
“I was just back for LIFEforce weekend, and the campus looked AMAZING! Current students don’t know how great they have it.”
2000–2004
2005–2011
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And the survey says…
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“I’m proud to be an alum of Life University. I feel that the school is really leading the profession in the right direction.”
“Our education was well-rounded. I am so thankful that I was able to get the philosophy, science and art throughout my time at LIFE.” “I am blown away by the integrity and vision of the University. The attention to congruence between environment, spirituality, academics and lifestyle is a model for all patients, students, their families, as well as doctors in the field.” You like to hear from us! The survey indicates that you are enjoying our communication pieces. Almost 70 percent of alums surveyed indicated that they read our magazines Today’s Chiropractic LifeStyle (TCL) and/or Your Extraordinary LIFE (YEL). Additionally, about 78 percent indicated they read our emails. Did you know that Alumni Relations distributes a bi-weekly email with news and updates for alumni and friends? If you are not receiving our communications, please contact us at Alumni@LIFE.edu.
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You want to give back!
You want to be involved!
When asked about reasons to give to LIFE, almost half indicated that they would give if the gift supported students in some way. Almost a third reported that they would make a donation if it would help the University grow. Interestingly, 13 percent stated that they would give simply if they were asked. Potential donors to Life University have a wide range of gift options and projects to choose from. Current programs supporting students include: • Scholarships – The percentage of students needing financial assistance grows each year. Currently, 77 percent of students receive need-based financial aid. The demand for scholarship support to either close the gap or ease the load of personal loans and federal assistance is great. • Student Advocacy Center – This new “concierge service” provides students with a one-stop shop to handle all student issues related to registration, advisement, accounting and financial aid. The center opened in October 2011 on a shoestring budget with limited staff; however, it won’t be fully implemented without additional support. • Harris Center for Clinical Education – The Harris Center will provide facilities specific to effective and frequent clinical assessment; increased space and equipment for more intensive radiology training; a prototype clinic that mimics real-world practice; and opportunities for consultation with nutrition, exercise physiology, psychology and health coaching professionals.
When asked how you would like to support your alumni association, 42 percent of you indicated that you would like to attend events designed to connect students with alumni. Interestingly, a majority of the alums who made that selection were recent grads (since 2005). Did you know that the alumni association has a program designed for that purpose? The Real World:DCs (RW) series gives alumni an opportunity to give back to the University by hosting LIFE students in their offices, giving them a tour and answering questions about day-to-day life as a chiropractor. Alums field questions like: • How did you pick your location?
• What software do you use? • Can you demonstrate a report-offindings visit? • What do you charge your patients for your services? Our goal is to show students a variety of practices to give them a better idea as to what they want to pursue for their future careers. The program has become very popular with alumni and current students.
We have room to improve! A number of the alums surveyed took the opportunity to provide constructive feedback on a variety of topics ranging from adding more business classes to the chiropractic curriculum to being more vocal about LIFE’s vision for the future of healthcare. Stay tuned to future issues of YEL, as well as our other publications, for more information about how we are addressing your concerns.
Congratulations to the $50 prize winners Winners of the prize drawing were given the opportunity to choose a $50 gift card from a list of national retail establishments and restaurant chains. The winners were: Nimira Alibhoy, D.C. (’10) Timothy Bain, D.C. (’02) Holly Donaldson, D.C. (’93) Carl Lynn, D.C. (’82) Barry Reade, D.C. (’96) Jeffery Russell, D.C (’05)
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MEET THE FACULTY
Dr.LeslieKingRules BY CRAIG DEKSHENIEKS
The corporate officers of United Parcel Service (UPS) have something in common— each drove a brown UPS truck at some point in their careers. When Delta Air Lines was the gold standard in air travel, each of their executives had once served as a Delta baggage handler or flight attendant. Both companies operated on the philosophy that the only way to truly understand the challenges faced by employees and the services needed by customers, is to spend time “on the front lines.” When it came to naming the Dean of Instruction in the College of Chiropractic, Life University had a similar philosophy. Leslie King, D.C., M.Ed., hasn’t driven a brown UPS truck or been a Delta flight attendant, but she has been on the front lines of Chiropractic and Life University for the past 20 years. In LIFE’s opinion, that makes her an ideal choice to rule the world’s largest College of Chiropractic. King grew up in Albany, Ga., where she earned a biology degree from Albany State University. After graduating from Albany State, she participated in a Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) held on LIFE’s campus. It was her first exposure to Chiropractic, and inspired her to enroll in LIFE’s D.C. program. She graduated in 1996. As a student, King earned money as a workstudy for Dr. Andrew Krantz. “Having been a student at LIFE, I know the work load, dedication and commitment it takes to earn a D.C. degree,” says King. Timing is everything in life, and just as King graduated from LIFE, an instructor was leaving, so she was offered the job. Starting in 1996, King worked parttime in the former Chiropractic Technician (CT) program and part-time in the D.C. program. In 2005, she was promoted to Division Chair of the Clinical Sciences
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program. In 2009, King was named Dean of Instruction for the College of Chiropractic. Three years later, her reign is unchallenged. King attributes the respect and influence she has earned from her colleagues—and students—to the fact that she has been, and in some ways, still is, one of them. “I have been a member of the faculty, and I have been a division chair,” she says. “I know the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges of a faculty member here.” When one thinks of an archetypal college dean, images of wood-paneled offices and layers of bureaucracy frequently come to mind—but not with King.
through it, I can relate to late-quarter students who might be facing similar fears and help them overcome those fears.” Those personal experiences of starting into practice are part of the reason King extols the virtues of quality business training for chiropractic students— something she has helped to make a continued priority in LIFE’s D.C. program. “Proper, real-world business training is essential,” she insists. “We need to give our students tools beyond the science in order for them to be successful. We need consistency and congruency in our business classes so students have a tangible portfolio of knowledge, from accounting
“Chiropractic is my life. I don’t do it for the paycheck; I do it for the satisfaction of seeing success stories in our students.” — DR. LESLIE KING Students come to her because she is accessible. “I am passionate about what I do, and I advocate for students because I want them to succeed. Even though I am not in the classroom anymore, I want students to have one-onone interaction with me if they want it.” Like most of her students have done, or will go on to do, King has also spent time in the field administering her craft. In the late 1990s, in between teaching at LIFE, she was an independent contractor in a practice in Decatur, Ga. In 2008, she opened her own practice with Dr. Bernadette Lavender, now director at LIFE’s outpatient clinic. “It was scary going out in the world and being a chiropractor, and even scarier opening my own office,” recalls King. “But having gone
to tax law, to insurance. She quotes Dr. Richard Franz, division chair of Chiropractic Sciences: “I want them to be able to walk across the stage on Friday [to receive their degree], and open a successful practice on Monday.” The best part of King’s job, she says, is convocation and graduation. “That’s why I’m here. Chiropractic is my life. I don’t do it for the paycheck; I do it for the satisfaction of seeing success stories in our students.” There’s no question her knowledge and experience are great assets to LIFE’s chiropractic students. King has grand plans for keeping Life University at the forefront of vitalistic healthcare education. “We are undergoing a full curriculum review right now. It’s not so much the
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content, but the teaching methodologies.” She is an avid proponent of LIFE’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), saying, “Students today learn differently than even 10 years ago. Interactive learning and more hands-on experience is the future, not just in Chiropractic, but in all areas of education. As instructors, we need to adapt our teaching style to match the learning style of our students.” Of course, it’s not all curriculum and theory with King. She serves as a friend and mentor to her students as well, though she admits keeping them motivated is a challenge when dealing with students struggling with the rigors of 25 hours of instruction per quarter. She often cites one of her favorite quotes from author Dennis Watley when talking with new students: “If you ever feel yourself losing your motivation, seek out someone doing what you want to do, and doing it well.” This advice is good for anyone, not just students. She also challenges her students—as well as her colleagues and, of course, herself—to think outside the box. “What other opportunities can we give our students?” she asks, noting that not every D.C. student needs to become a practicing chiropractor. “We need to offer alternatives in order to keep our students motivated to strive for and achieve success,” King says. “They can teach. They can become part of a corporate wellness team. They can become a team chiropractor for a college or professional sports team. They can go into politics and government.” They can even be crowned dean of a celebrated chiropractic college. No one knows that better than King. “I never thought about being Dean of Instruction,” she says with a smile. “I wanted to be a chiropractor, but others saw other potential as well.” Now, she’s the one seeing the potential—in her students, her fellow faculty and staff, and in the future of her college kingdom.
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NEWS FROM ALUMNI RELATIONS BY LEILA TATUM
Campfire, Cocoa and S’Mores: UG Student Holiday Social
community. Congratulations to our scholarship winners!
On Thursday, Dec. 2, representatives from the Alumni Association and the Department of Alumni Relations hosted an event for undergraduate students on the lawn of the Village Retreat. More than 60 students and their families stopped by throughout the night to roast marshmallows, make s’mores and drink hot cocoa by the campfire. Says Alumni Association Board Member Debbie Lancaster, “What a great event! It was so nice to see so many students out enjoying the social. It’s a great way to let them know who the Alumni Association is now, [when they are still] students, so when they graduate, they’ll want to continue to stay involved.”
D.C. Scholarship Recipients - $3,000 each Tania Demeray Clare Stewart
Alumni Association scholarship winners announced The International Alumni Association of Life University (IAALU) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2011 Alumni Association Scholarship. More
M.S. Scholarship Recipient - $1,000 Linnette Yard UG Scholarship Recipient - $1,000 Delma De La Fuente
Season of giving Fall 2011 marked the launch of LIFE’s annual campaign and also gave LIFE students the opportunity to reach out and speak one-on-one with alumni and friends of the school. The focus of this year’s campaign is to raise support for a number of initiatives on campus, including the Student Advocacy Center, an electronic health records system for oncampus clinics, chiropractic scholarships and the expansion of the myLIFEplus wellness app. If you received a letter or a phone call from a LIFE student, please consider giving to the Annual Fund. We offer convenient donation options through our website, including a recurring monthly pledge. Our donation page can be found at RaisersEdge.LIFE.edu/Give. For more information please contact Lauren Sherwood, division manager for University Advancement, at Lauren.Sherwood@LIFE.edu.
Instant Poll now active!
IAALU scholarship winners
than 50 students applied for four scholarships totaling $8,000. Applications were judged on essay content, GPA and service activities. Scholarship winners were announced during LIFE’s First Tuesday celebration, a “welcome back” party typically held each quarter for the LIFE
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As a way to help encourage participation among alumni, we’ve recently added an Instant Poll to our Alumni & Friends website. Your feedback is important to us—it helps us plan events and programs that YOU want! Every other month, we’ll add a new question. The poll may ask a variety of different questions, from simple questions about events and programming to more specific questions regarding personal and professional experiences. We encourage you to take a
few seconds to answer the current poll, which can be found at RaisersEdge.LIFE.edu.
Real World: DCs recap— Dr. Danielle Drobbin It was a packed house in January when Dr. Danielle Drobbin (’09) hosted another installment of the Real World: DCs series in her Midtown Atlanta office. Drobbin, whose specialties are pregnancy and pediatrics, spoke to more than 25 students about her life after LIFE. She led tours of her office, answered questions and gave advice on how to succeed while in school and post graduation. Registration for this event filled up quickly, and a wait Real World: DCs host list formed before Dr. Danielle Drobbin classes had even started for the quarter. Upon hearing this, Drobbin actually purchased more chairs for her office, specifically for this event, to allow more students to attend. “I love talking with students! I wish I had this kind of opportunity when I was in school,” Drobbin says. “If a student was able to take home a message from the talk that will make them a better chiropractor, then it was all worth it.”
New! Search and register for CE seminars online LIFE has launched a new website for CE registrations. Now you can search and register for CE seminars online, making it easier for you to find the classes and seminars you need. The new site features a searchable calendar and a simple registration process. Check it out at RaisersEdge.LIFE.edu/Postgrad.
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LIFE partners with alumnus to present online education for chiropractors Life University’s Advancement Department has partnered with Steve Foreman, D.C. (’81), owner and co-founder of MyiCourse, an online learning platform and educational portal, to develop online programs for chiropractors seeking the newest generation of continuing education (CE). Foreman, who has made a career of chiropractic education since graduating from LIFE—first as a journal contributor and teacher, then as a publisher, lecturer and provider of online education solutions—was the clear choice when LIFE began looking to offer a cutting-edge online CE program. “For us to partner with an alumnus makes a lot of sense,” says Greg Harris, vice president for University Advancement at LIFE. “We know we’re getting a high-quality partner whose business and life philosophy align with our own. The program structure is already developed and proven effective, and that feeds directly into our goal to become the leader in online CE programming.” MyiCourse’s software, available through Foreman’s company website at CEvantive.com and in direct partnership with universities like LIFE, is based on a live lecture format and employs some of the most sophisticated tools on the market for creating, delivering and administrating online educational content.
“It’s not just text, it’s not offered free CE to the first 1,000 just video,” Foreman says. registrants to sign up (with no “It’s interactive from page to cost or obligation) through a page. There is something on Life University sponsor. most pages—an image, an “Like other colleges, LIFE audio clip, notes, links to provides opportunities for CE online articles—to keep the credits,” Harris says, “but student engaged.” The softbecause we are committed to Steve Foreman ware also allows administrabeing a thought leader in Chirotors to measure and evaluate practic by providing programs the student’s experience, from regulatthat advance the profession and help ing how much time students must spend DCs, we decided to redesign our Fall CE on each course page, to creating custom program to not only offer CE free to quizzes, to using webcam technology to members of the profession, but to offer photograph the student at the computer it with the option for earning those credas proof of attendance. its online.” LIFE’s new CE programming, which “We look forward to a long relationdebuted last year in conjunction with ship with Life University,” Foreman adds. LIFE’s Fall CE event, offers an innovative “We want to see LIFE dominate online combination of online and in-person learning and CE for chiropractors, and education never before offered by a chiwe’re honored we get to be a part of it.” ropractic institution. Registrants earned There has been significant demand their first hour of CE online by taking a and interest in the chiropractic commuLIFE-developed course administered nity for CE that better meets the needs through MyiCourse, after which they of today’s chiropractor—particularly the received a printable certificate. This cernewest generations of DCs, who are tificate served as proof of their successfamiliar with the power and convenience ful completion of the online portion, and of online technology and what it can do was presented for entry into the second for their practices. Through its partnerhour of classroom discussion, led by a ship with MyiCourse, LIFE is not only certified CE provider on LIFE’s Marietta meeting that demand, it’s taking it to campus. To offer even more value to the the next level. chiropractic community, the University
CONTINUING EDUCATION
LSA Ventures and Dr. Eric Plasker announce partnership on 100 Year Lifestyle Program LIFE Strategic Accelerator (LSA) Ventures and Dr. Eric Plasker are pleased to announce that they have entered into a working partnership. LSA Ventures is a for-profit entity affiliated with Life University. Its purpose is to create programs and products that will generate revenue to be contributed to Life University to help offset a portion of future tuition increases. LSA will copromote the 100 Year Lifestyle program with Dr. Plasker, a 1985 graduate of LIFE. “This postgraduate-focused program matches the values and philosophy of Life University and aligns with its
cradle-to-grave initiative,” says Guy Riekeman, Life University president. Dr. Plasker added, “It’s an honor to partner with LSA and deliver this international, bestselling chiropractic model to DCs worldwide. We are committed to developing chiropractors as health care leaders with this fresh, relevant vitalistic package, while delivering a unified message for Chiropractic. The individual success for DCs and the collective energy we achieve will be historic.” Stay tuned to upcoming issues of YEL for more information on this exciting development.
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CLASS NOTES
Keep in Touch with
We’d like to extend our condolences to Alumni Association President Dr. Larry Marchese (’83) and his family in the loss of his father, Lorenzo Marchese, Sr. who passed away on Sept. 27. Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Marchese family. Dr. Shelly (Crews) Jones (’85) practiced in Poplar Bluff, Mo., from 1985 to 1990 before moving to Columbia, S.C. After a few years of staying home with her children, she returned to practice in 2000. She recently opened a new wellness center where she provides family chiropractic care, health education and wellness resources. She would love to hear from her fellow classmates at SJChiropractic@SC.TWCBC.com. We’d like to extend our condolences to the family of Dr. George “Beau” Zimmerman (’90), 46, who passed away on Oct. 2. Zimmerman was often called the “Chiropractor’s Chiropractor” by his peers because he lived and breathed Chiropractic, and loved LIFE. He leaves behind his mother, Josephine; his sister, Carrie; and his loving partner, Tina Mazzarella. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Life Chiropractic College Memorial Fund; he was very proud of his college and would be honored. Please contact Wanda Hambrick at (770) 4262975 to make your memorial contribution. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Zimmerman family.
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Dr. Janine Kelly (’95) has been named Person of the Year by the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce in East Meadow, N.Y. Post graduation, she returned to New York and opened a practice in East Meadow. She became an active member of the community, joining the Kiwanis and the Chamber, where she served on a variety of committees. She also served as the Chamber’s president in 2009. Kelly was honored at the Chamber’s awards ceremony on Jan. 27. Steven Lindner, D.C., MSACN (’96) has been in private practice for 16 years. Additionally, he is a new adjunct professor at the University of Bridgeport, teaching Anatomy & Physiology and Vitamins & Minerals for the Master of Science Program in Nutrition. He also teaches at Adelphi University and Nassau Community College, teaching Anatomy and Physiology. His daughter, Angelica, was born the first week of December. Alumni Association Vice President and LIFEforce 1000 Member Dr. Stu Katzen (’97) has been working with LIFE’s enrollment team to host several Student Recruitment Events (SREs). He speaks regularly to students in a kinesiology class at Temple University in Pennsylvania, which often leads to inquiries and lots of questions about LIFE and Chiropractic. He also hosted an SRE
Graduates
Georgia Council of Chiropractic (GCC) President Dr. Bob Braile announced the establishment of the GCC Chiropractic Hall of Fame at the 30th Annual Awards Banquet during its annual convention in August. He went on to induct its first two members, Drs. Sid and Nell Williams. All GCC past presidents and past “Chiropractors of the Year” were also inducted, including the 2011 recipient, Dr. Brian Lieberman (’97) from Rome, Ga.
in his Pennsylvania practice for approximately 15 prospective students. Katzen promoted the events (and LIFE) through the state association, an email to his personal contacts, getting the event listed in the local mayor’s newsletter, and connecting with several local colleges and organizations in his area. He also represented the Alumni Association at LIFE Board member Dr. Sharon Gorman’s (’84) Focus Philosophy event in the Poconos on Nov. 5. Dr. Robert M. Browne (’99) is a proud LIFE grad and has recently been elected president of The New York Chiropractic Council. The Council is the state chiropractic organization representing subluxationbased chiropractors in New York. Congratulations to Dr. Chris “Skip” Green (’03) and his wife, Michelle, on the birth of their son.
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Congratulations to Alumni Association Board Member Debbie Lancaster (’06) and Undergraduate Alumni Committee Member Angela Jackson (’10) for their recent induction into the Alpha Upsilon Alpha chapter of Chi Sigma Iota at Argosy University. Chi Sigma Iota is the international honor society of professional counseling. It was established in 1985 through the efforts of leaders in the profession of counseling, whose desire was to provide recognition for outstanding achievement, as well as outstanding service, within the profession. Chi Sigma Iota was created for counselors-intraining, counselor educators and professional counselors committed to research and service through professional counseling.
divided into four teams to serve at four sites throughout Fortaleza. Each site was filmed live many times throughout the week by local news stations; the headlines reading, “Foreign doctors offering chiropractic healing for free to our people.” By the fourth day, the group had adjusted more than 5,000 people! However, a local physical therapist in Fortaleza lodged a formal complaint to the Federal Government questioning the doctors’ right to be in Fortaleza. On the last day of service the Federal Police, by law, had to ask the group to disperse. Warhola had an amazing time in Brazil and wants to help ensure that chiropractors can continue to adjust the people in Brazil and all over the world, where care is not as accessible as it is here. Congratulations to Dr. Derek Boudreaux (’07) and his wife on the birth of their daughter. Congratulations to Alumni Association Board Member Dr. Austin Cohen (’09) and his bride, Shira. The happy couple tied the knot on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011.
DON’T BE SHY! Dr. April Warhola (’07) recently traveled to Brazil on a chiropractic mission trip to celebrate a successful first year in her own practice. Eight chiropractors, dedicated to service and Chiropractic, were
We’d like to include your personal and professional news and photos in upcoming editions of Class Notes. Send your information to Alumni@LIFE.edu.
Dr. Erik Brower (’10), principled chiropractor of Newburgh, N.Y., won the title of 2011 Startup Business of the Year from the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. Brower was also a finalist for Business Idol, a regional speaking competition. Gil Braum (’11), who graduated from LIFE’s Bachelor of Business Administration program last December, embarked on Jan. 6 for Thailand, where he is enrolled in a meditation program through Middle Way Meditation. He also plans to visit the world’s largest meditation center, the Dhammakaya Cetiya, located in the Pathumtani Province north of Bangkok. Braum will return in May, possibly to pursue a Computer Information Management and/or Life Coaching degree at Life University. A longtime videographer, Braum created a video describing his graduation from LIFE, his upcoming trip, and his plans for the future. It also shows some great footage of our beautiful campus. To view the video and to follow Braum, sign up for updates via his website, Combustagil.com, and stay tuned for footage from his travels.
www.LIFE.edu
Spring
2012
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Mark Your Alumni Events DATE
EVENT/VENUE
LOCATION
ALUMNI EVENT TIME
North Carolina Chiropractic Association Florida Chiropractic Society
Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC Fort Lauderdale Airport Hilton
Friday Reception, 6-8 p.m. Saturday Lunch, 1-2:30 p.m.
Michigan Association of Chiropractic
Grand Traverse Resort, Traverse City, MI
Saturday Lunch, 12:30-2 p.m.
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Alabama State Chiropractic Association
Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa, Montgomery, AL
Saturday Breakfast, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
22-24
Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association
Lancaster, PA
TBD
Florida Chiropractic Society Georgia Chiropractic Council Chiro-Expo Florida Chiropractic Association
The Breakers, Palm Beach Atlanta Mariott NW The Peabody, Orlando
Saturday Reception TBD TBD Saturday Lunch, Time TBD
MARCH 23 24
APRIL 28
JUNE
AUGUST 17-19 TBD 23-26
For more information or to register, please visit RaisersEdge.LIFE.edu or contact the Department of Alumni Relations at Alumni@LIFE.edu or (800) 543-3203.
PG & CE Seminar Schedule Date
Seminar Title
Instructor(s)
CE Hours
Location
March 10
Last Chance: Florida Requirements
Dr. Angel Tribuno
13
Life University
April 28-29
CCEP Module 3: Foot, Gait & Orthotics
Dr. Kevin Hearon
15
Life University
May 12-13
Comprehensive MRI Imaging of the Spine & Extremities
Dr. Terry Yochum
12
Life University
July 14-15
CCEP Module 4: Advanced Principles of Upper Extremity Adjusting
Dr. Marni Capes
15
Life University
August 16-19 LIFE for Animals: Sacro-Pelvic
Drs. Komarek, Ormston, Hayek
N/A
Colorado Springs, CO
August 18-19 CCEP Module 5: Rehabilitation of the Extremities
Dr. Edward Sinclair
15
Life University
For more information or to register, visit www.LIFE.edu/Continuing_Education or contact the Postgraduate Programs Office at Postgrad@LIFE.edu or (800) 543-3406.
Spring
2012
www.LIFE.edu
Important Contacts: Life University 1269 Barclay Circle Marietta, GA 30060 www.LIFE.edu
Update Your Information: Office of Alumni Relations (800) 543-3203 Alumni@LIFE.edu Make a Gift: Office of Development (800) 543-3436 Order a Transcript: Office of the Registrar (888) 423-5547 Recruit Students: Office of Recruitment (800) 543-3202 Search/Post Opportunities: Office of Career Services (770) 426-2700 Careers@LIFE.edu