So many times we waited
on pins and needles to learn if the institution had made it over another hurdle.
And then we got the news. Three years of extensive transformation and heroic
last-minute saves had brought Life University back from the brink and the institution
reemerged with regional and specialized accreditation, and a balanced budget.
Everyone was exhausted. But then the e-mails started to come. “Thank you
for saving my school,” read some. “We provided financial support
because we knew you could do it, and you did,” said others. “Thank
you for keeping a key chiropractic organization alive,” said another.
The energy began to flow.
Whether you graduated from Life University or another chiropractic college,
an important resource was saved this year and that makes the profession stronger
for everyone. Life University’s resurgence as a healthy and dynamic institution
provides critical leadership, visibility and resources to the profession as
a whole. That furthers the goal of every chiropractor to influence public health
policy and serve those seeking true health care.
The past three years have put Life University to the test. I think the next
few will continue to test us. But it won’t be about coping and surviving;
instead we’ll test our capacity to keep pace with the momentum of an energetic
organization propelled by a powerful vision.
A key component of Life’s resurgence is our senior management team. They
aren’t going to say it, but I can. When President Guy Riekeman arrived
and then recruited Bill Jarr, vice president for operations and finance, and
Dr. Brian McAulay, provost, our situation was tenuous. This was an eleventh
hour save they pulled off with the support of the Board, faculty and staff.
Many don’t realize how close we came to closing, how relentlessly they
believed we could succeed or how tirelessly they worked to make it so.
I’m a firm believer that Innate is not only at work within each of us,
but also connects us to one another. In this case, I think the universe may
have conspired to make these and other outstanding professionals available to
us when we needed them most. You’ll read some of their most personal thoughts
on the trial and elation of this journey alongside this article. But first,
let me tell you something about the Life University of today.
Accreditation
Life’s accreditation has been reaffirmed by the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the specialized accrediting agencies that represent
our professional programs. The institution has invested itself wholeheartedly
in rigorous self study and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improvement.
It has not been easy, but our administration, faculty and staff have done the
tough work of honest evaluation and meaningful (sometimes even painful) change.
Such brutally honest self-evaluation and the adoption of the highest standards
of performance have been woven into our culture and the expectations of every
member of our community in a way that will not easily unravel. The doctor of
chiropractic degree program at Life University College of Chiropractic is accredited
by the commission on Accreditation of the Council of Chiropractic Education
and is following the normal schedule of accreditation activities. (The CCE webpage
lists the site visit information in the “CCE Directory of Accredited Doctor
of Chiropractic Programs and Solitary Purpose Institutions.)
Enrollment
Enrollment is strong. From a low of 512 chiropractic students and 315 arts and
sciences students during the depths of the institution’s difficulties,
we have grown to a community of more than 1,000 chiropractic students and almost
472 arts and sciences students. This near 80 percent increase is a testament
to the attention, energy and professionalism invested in student recruitment.
Toward that end, Dr. Riekeman is embarking on a 75-city tour to reach out to
prospective students, chiropractors, donors and chiropractic patients throughout
the country. Life University admission recruiters will visit key cities to meet
with high school and college guidance counselors, biology teachers, health club
leaders and others to educate them about a chiropractic career and the benefits
of a Life education. Dr. Riekeman will visit the same cities six weeks later
to conduct a dynamic presentation for prospective students, host a luncheon
with current and prospective donors and lead a patient education evening to
support the practices of area DCs. Watch for news of his visit to your city,
or call the development office to get involved.
New Board Talent
With a dedicated Board, outstanding management team and clearly committed faculty
and staff, an organization can attract highly talented trustees. We have welcomed
several high-powered men and women to the Board recently to help us fulfill
our vision for Life.
Fundraising
“Phenomenal” is the first word that comes to mind when you look
at the tough financial situation President Riekeman encountered his first day
at the helm. In just seven months he, Dr. Shawn Ferguson, dedicated supporters
and I raised $4.85 million dollars—money that was needed to keep us alive
and eligible for regional accreditation. This year we will have a balanced budget
and even several million dollars committed to reserves.
Next, Dr. Riekeman and the Board plan to launch the largest capital campaign
ever undertaken by a chiropractic college. There is a lot to be done on our
campus and this group has the vision to imagine what could be, and the drive
to bring it to fruition. No one in the Life community has worked so hard to
get so far just to survive. Make no mistake: we plan to be the preeminent chiropractic
college in the country.
Curriculum Enhancement
Although immersed in strenuous accreditation efforts, the academic team has
simultaneously implemented numerous improvements in the chiropractic program.
Students are now active in the clinic from their first quarter, initially as
a patient and proceeding quickly to active observers and participants. They
will also participate in technique courses right from the start and continue
them throughout their academic career, allowing them to practice their art consistently
without the hands-off gaps common in other programs.
The practice management component has also been created with exciting and unprecedented
opportunities. Life students will now experience a combined philosophy and practice
management track from the beginning. Their basic business courses will be taught
by faculty from our College of Arts and Sciences who hold terminal degrees in
these subjects.
The practice management program culminates in a unique third-year experience
with the most sought after consultants working with chiropractors today. In
a weekend seminar format, Life students will receive their capstone practice
management course from consultants with The Waiting List Practice, The Master’s
Circle and others.
And there’s more: The new Clinic Education Track brings the clinical experience
together into a cohesive and realistic whole for students. For eight terms students
will participate in weekly case reviews from our own clinic files exploring
in depth the actual X-rays, case histories, reports of findings and paperwork
from real cases. The program is so innovative, its designer, Dr. Mike Pryor,
will present it at the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) conference.
Community Support
It has been obvious throughout these trying years how much our local community
wanted Life to survive and how much they welcomed a strong, communicative and
professional management team. They continue to rally behind us as our success
builds. In fact, when the Chair of the Cobb County Commission needed an organization
he could count on, he called Dr. McAulay on a Saturday afternoon and asked Life
to host a Red Cross mega service center where thousands of Hurricane Katrina
victims could come for help. Although two other centers in the area came under
criticism, Life was praised for providing an unprecedented level of support.
Bill Jarr and his team made sure things ran smoothly, even at 2 a.m. The governor
presented Life with a citation for our contribution.
We are fortunate to be located in one of the most vibrant cities in the country.
Atlanta is a juggernaut of progress, with impressive economic growth, innovative
new in-town housing and retail developments, and major-league attractions. The
city just opened a new aquarium that features the largest tank in the world.
And, Atlanta was cited in the New York Times for its burgeoning arts district.
It’s a great place to study and work.
I’ve been bragging, I know. But what has been accomplished at Life University
is nothing short of miraculous. I know there is a spark within each of us that
goes well beyond the educated brain. In the people committed to the success
of Life, it’s clear there is also heart, guts and inspiration. When you
connect to that spirit, you become nothing less than a co-
creator of the world.