A message to Life University alumni from Dr. John Downes.
By John Downes, D.C.
On January 31, I accepted the opportunity to serve you as the new director of
alumni and postgraduate education. In order to take on this opportunity I left
a position I truly enjoyed as the dean for the college of chiropractic. One
of the insights gained during my service as dean was our lack of institutional
support to our graduates through any clear and consistent process. In accepting
this position of service to you, it comes with the challenge of building a lasting
relationship and you can’t do that by only asking to receive and never
giving.
In 1981 at the fourth annual homecoming of Life College of Chiropractic the
Alumni Association was organized and dedicated itself to serving the college.
The University emerges 24 years later from our darkest days and the efforts
of alumni must be recognized. Alumni and friends joined together and restarted
career nights, fund raising events, student mentoring and began Life Source.
Challenges were many and participants were few, but through these efforts we
are able to say Life University survived and now we are ready to thrive. Some
of the things learned during this time were the value of preparation, reflection
and clear communication. Many people wore multiple ‘hats’ during
this period and, as a result clear communication and clear lines of function
were lost. In order to correct this issue Life University is separating the
departments of alumni which focuses on communicating and building relationships
with alumni and development which functions to raise money for the institution.
This will provide clarity in all of our communications and efforts.
Developing good citizens, graduates that take personal responsibility for themselves,
their families, their community, their practice and their profession, is based
upon ‘leadership by example.’ The alumni department has taken this
challenge to ‘lead by example’ and initiated a Leadership –
Mentorship Program. Our goal is to establish lasting relationships of mutual
benefit between our alumni and our students. The Leadership–Mentorship
will be the focal point of the alumni department. The alumni department will
search for opportunities to serve you through support, education and recognition.
What we would like from you, our graduates, is a commitment to communication,
mentorship and referrals.
Through this basic cycle of giving and receiving the potential to communicate
and build internal and external confidence in the vision, goals, and leadership
of our institution is immense.
I am convinced that clear communication is a rare occurrence. Often decisions
are made, and positions are held, on rumor or past experiences. As an alumnus
I can relate to your joys, successes, frustrations and anger. As the dean during
our darkest hours and during a season of incredible change, I learned invaluable
lessons and witnessed first hand the transformation of Life University. I can
offer insight and clear up rumors and speculation, but there will be no opportunity
unless I hear from you and you are willing to discuss your concerns.
In the coming weeks I will be updating information that will be provided to
the alumni on a regular basis. This information will include where the university
is today and our vision for the future. It will also include recognition and
initiatives to support all graduates.
Currently, alumni and friends are doing great things in the field to assist
Life University during this time of rebuilding. Drs. Joe Lupo, Hank Cousineau,
Randy O’Dell, Corey Rodnick, Linda Rassel, and Dan Abeckjerr are spear-heading
“Career Nights” across the country to increase enrollment. They
saw a need at the University and realized that leading by example was the only
way to convince those that had lost confidence in our program, to send students
to Life. It is a reality that people give and refer based upon confidence, not
need. Without the confidence of these great alumni, Life would not have survived.
This is perhaps the best practical example of the Leadership – Mentorship
Program.
So, to clarify the departmental operations for our alumni and friends, if you
want to actively participate in student recruitment efforts contact Dr. Joe
Lupo at motownjo@comcast.net or Dr. Deb Heairlston at drdeb@life.edu or 1 (800)
543-3202. If you want to participate in fundraising activities by joining the
President’s Circle of Life, contact Wanda Hambrick at hambrick@life.edu
or 1 (800) 543-3436. If you want to connect with the University through communication,
mentorship or referrals, contact me through the alumni department at jdownes@life.edu
or 1 (800) 543-3203. The future is ours to build and, as we write this next
chapter in the history of Life what will your contribution as an alumni be?
In service to our graduates and our profession, John Downes, D.C. Class of 1986
Director of Alumni and Postgraduate Education
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Today's Chiropractic