Increasing cultural authority
through Palmer’s identity
During Thursday’s Opening Session, Palmer Chancellor Dennis
Marchiori, D.C., Ph.D. (Davenport ’90), presented on the purpose
for the development of Palmer’s new identity statement and
supporting documents.
“First, Palmer is not in an identity crisis or mission drift,”
says Dr. Marchiori. “We know who we are and what we do—
it’s chiropractic. However, we sense there is confusion about
chiropractic in the marketplace. What’s needed is a strong
message grounded in reality that will increase a person’s intrinsic
motivation to act. This generation’s challenge is to increase the
market for chiropractic from eight percent of the population
that currently sees a chiropractor annually.”
Developed over the past three years and approved by the Board
of Trustees in June 2012, Palmer’s Identity Statement positions a
chiropractor as: The primary care professional for spinal health
and well-being. This statement is supported by the Chiropractic
Pillars and other documents developed during the three-year
identity process: Mission, Vision, Values, Philosophy Statement
and Practice Paradigm. All are available on the Palmer website
at www.palmer.edu/our-identity. (Read more in our "cover story" section)
Dr. Dan Weinert: Macronutrients
in health and disease
Palmer’s Davenport Campus Provost Dan Weinert, D.C., M.S.,
DACRB (Davenport ’96) discussed the role of macronutrients
in health and disease. Macronutrients—carbohydrate, fat and
protein—can be agents that facilitate health or promote disease.
What role they take largely depends upon the state of the body
they enter.
Dr. Weinert contrasted carbohydrate intake after exercise
versus carbohydrate intake during a fed, non-exercise state. The
same macronutrient, carbohydrate, will enter muscle during the
post-exercise state and be stored as glycogen, literally burning fat
in the process. In stark contrast, carbohydrate intake when the
non-exercised muscle is full results in the liver converting the
carbohydrate into fat. Dr. Weinert stressed that skeletal muscle
is responsible for 90% of glucose clearance. Muscle does this
when we lower glycogen (stored glucose) concentrations through
exercise. He went on to discuss how and why cells become
insulin resistant. He explained that this is the cell’s best attempt
to deal with less than ideal circumstances.
Throughout the presentation, Dr. Weinert stressed that the body
is innately intelligent, yet we sometimes choose to expose the body
to harsh circumstances. He explained that the simple answer is to
eat and exercise in moderation, therefore allowing macronutrients
to be agents of health.
Dr. Frank Sovinsky: Reclaiming
the chiropractic dream
Noted chiropractic author and speaker Frank Sovinsky, D.C.
(Davenport ’81), presented during Saturday’s General Session.
“I want chiropractic to be more relevant in today’s health
care … to be front and center in today’s talk of health care
reform,” says Dr. Sovinsky. “What we are lacking (as chiropractors)
is a call to action. It’s not a call to battle (against
the medical community). It’s a call to learning—how to act
differently and more productively.”
“The Palmers are reformers, and you are reformers,” he adds.
“Remember why you went to school. Remember, patient-centered
care is not getting the patient centered on chiropractic,
but us getting centered on them.”
Alumni Luncheon features Standard Process
President Charles DuBois and induction
of four new Fellows
Emceed by Executive Director for Alumni Mickey Burt, D.C.
(Davenport ’73), the Alumni Luncheon featured a keynote
address from Standard Process Inc. President Charles DuBois,
as well as the induction of four new Fellows into the Palmer
Academy of Chiropractic.
Mr. DuBois spoke about his company’s corporate wellness
program and how it has benefited Standard Process employees
since its inception in 1997. “We’ve established a corporate
wellness program that has chiropractic as the absolute center,”
he says. “Chiropractors are the primary care providers of our
wellness program.”
Following the keynote presentation, four individuals were
inducted as Fellows in the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic.
They were Mr. Charles Dubois; Leigh Elceser, D.C. (Davenport
’94), Pontiac, Mich.; J Edward Hartley, D.C. (Davenport ’92),
St. Augustine, Fla.; and William Heath Quigley, D.C. (receiving
a posthumous award), who passed away in 2006.
Career Fair held during Homecoming
The Palmer Center for Business Development (PCBD) hosted
its annual Career Fair during Homecoming. The purpose of
the Career Fair was to connect employers with current students
looking for associateships after graduation. Of the 44 participating
job seekers, some were alumni, too.
Twelve potential employers from seven states (Iowa, Illinois,
Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana and Kentucky) had
booths during the fair and gave the job seekers an opportunity
to learn about their chiropractic job offerings as well as hone
their interviewing skills.
“It was interesting and educational to hear about the qualities,
qualifications and endorsements that each business is looking for
from each candidate,” says PCBD Student Ambassador David
Adamson.
Heritage Wall anniversary celebration
at HES luncheon
Decades have passed, but the vision still continues. During this
year’s Heritage Endowment Society luncheon, members, guests
and student scholarship recipients celebrated the 30-year anniversary
of the dedication of the Heritage Endowment Wall.
Chancellor Dennis Marchiori, D.C., Ph.D., welcomed and
thanked four of the 15 new members inducted into the Society.
In attendance were: Cheryl Crawford, D.C. (Davenport ’91);
Kevin Cunningham, D.C., Ph.C. (Davenport ’88 and vice chancellor
for Student Services); Matthew Walker, D.C. (Davenport ’08),
accepting on behalf of the Dr. David D. Palmer Athletic Trust; and
Mr. Perry Hintze accepting on behalf of Ryan & Associates, Inc.
Kirk Steketee, D.C. (Davenport ’75), one of the original
Heritage Endowment Wall donors, reminisced about that
day 30 years ago, thanked the members in attendance and
encouraged them to talk about their investment in Palmer
College with colleagues and friends.
Leah Hetebrueg, a 5th trimester student and recipient of the
Drs. Lulu McLeod Stevenson Memorial Scholarship, the Dr.
George E.O. and Tabea Moellendorf Endowed Scholarship, along
with the Vogt Leadership Society scholarship, thanked Society
members for their leadership, vision and support of Palmer
College, especially the students. Ms. Hetebrueg spoke on behalf
of the many other student scholarship recipients in the room.
To view a full list of the new Heritage Endowment Society
members or to learn more about the Society, go to
www.palmer.edu/development/hes-recognition.
‘Tip Your Hat to Dr. Schmiedel’
A reception honoring recently retired professor Gilbert Schmiedel,
D.C. (Davenport ’59), was held Friday night. Dr. Schmiedel
was a faculty member for 48 years, serving Palmer College and
its students from 1963 to 2011. He also served as the faculty
advisor to the Student Council for many years. The reception
was hosted by the Development Office, and Chancellor Dr.
Dennis Marchiori thanked and acknowledged Dr. Schmiedel
for his many years of service.
A silent auction was held featuring the hats Student Council
members made over the years for Dr. Schmiedel to wear during
the annual Courtyard Party and Talent Show. More than $2,100
was raised and will go toward the Student Council Endowed
Scholarship Fund.
Alumni and students bowl for
PSAF scholarships
The new Palmer Student Alumni Foundation (PSAF) Student/
Alumni Bowling Night during Homecoming was a “huge
success,” according to Lisa Walden, assistant director for
Alumni. More than 300 people participated, and several
alumni sponsored teams. The PSAF Bowling Night was held
Friday at the Blackhawk Bowl and Martini Lounge, located in
downtown Davenport’s newly remodeled Blackhawk Hotel.
“Everyone had a fantastic time,” says Ms. Walden. “It was
a fun way to bring our students and alumni together, and
we’re now well on our way to building a $50,000 endowed
PSAF scholarship!”
The corporate sponsors of the event were DC Mentors
(whose CEO is Frank Sovinsky, D.C.), Integrative Therapeutics
and Schofield Management Services (CEO Fred Schofield, D.C.,
Davenport ’81). The event also had more than 25 donors.
Homecoming 2012 PSE
Palmer’s Davenport Campus hosted 176 prospective students and
their guests on Friday, Aug. 10, during the annual Homecoming
Prospective Student Event (PSE). The Admissions Department
hosted the event, which provided guests with a full day of
interactive experiences across the campus.
Guests visited the Radiology and Chiropractic Rehabilitation
and Sports Injury departments, the anatomy labs, and the technique
and diagnosis classrooms. They had the chance to see digital
X-rays, inspect specimens, and palpate one another in search of
cervical vertebrae.
Students also enjoyed lunch in the cafeteria and spent the afternoon
participating in a variety of activities, including meeting with
Admissions and Financial Aid representatives; taking a bus tour of
the Quad Cities; touring the B.J. and Mabel Palmer Residence; and
learning about the Clinic Abroad Program and the Palmer Center
for Chiropractic Research. The day ended with a reception in the
AHC Atrium.
Little Bit O’ Philosophy
Kirk Steketee, D.C. (Davenport ’75), and Rob Sinnott, D.C.,
LCP, DPHCS (Davenport ’89), brought a Little Bit O’ Philosophy
to the Residence Courtyard on Thursday night of Homecoming.
Master of Ceremonies Roger Hynes, D.C. (Davenport ’98),
Technique, introduced the speakers and acted as auctioneer for
donated items. There were approximately 60 people at the
event, and a number of alumni who weren’t able to attend
sponsored the admission for current students. Funds raised will
be used to build the new fountain in the Courtyard.
Presidents Club Reception
Approximately 150 guests attended the Presidents Club Reception.
Vice Chancellor for Advancement Robert E. Lee, Executive
Director for Alumni Mickey Burt, D.C., Development Officer
Jessica Malcheff and special guest Todd Curzie, D.C. (Davenport
’95), hosted the event.
“The Presidents Club Reception and all of Homecoming
weekend was an exciting and wonderful time,” Ms. Malcheff
says. “We were so pleased with how our current Presidents
Club members really jumped on board with us to recruit more
members. Our Presidents Club donors are our premier annual
donors, and we are so grateful for their support.”
Since Homecoming, many Presidents Club members have
contacted the Development Office for recruitment materials.
Reunions provide opportunities to reconnect
Dr. Dennis Marchiori enjoyed catching up with Dr. Nancy
Elwartowski-Cooper (Davenport ’87) whom he knew as a student
and who came to Homecoming for her 25-year reunion along
with her father and several other family members. From left are:
Dr. Nancy Elwartowski, Dr. Walter Elwartowski (Davenport ’62),
Dr. Marchiori, and Dr. Cynthia Elwart Shaft-Toll (Davenport ’81). |
Graduates from 2002, 1987 and 1962 celebrated their 10-year,
25-year and 50-year reunions, respectively.
This year’s Homecoming was the first time the Alumni Office
hosted a 10-year reunion—a barbecue in West Hall Courtyard
attended by 40 guests. “It was fun for families to join one
another in a casual setting for a barbecue-type meal,” says
Assistant Director for Alumni Lisa Walden.
At the 25-year reunion dinner, 80 guests enjoyed the camaraderie
and remarks from guest speaker Daniel Fuzer, D.C.
“I haven’t been back to Palmer in several years and was amazed
by all the changes,” says one of the guests, Kathleen Therkelsen,
D.C. “The new additions are beautiful! The 25-year reunion
and the other Homecoming events surpassed my expectations.
I applaud and thank all the volunteers, staff, event planners and
vendors for their exceptional job making this Homecoming
truly memorable.”
President Emeritus Dr. Donald Kern was the guest speaker
at the 50-year reunion brunch. One of the 60 attendees was a
1962 class valedictorian, Sheila Laws, D.C. A number of 1962
graduates brought family members to the reunion, including
Walter Elwartowski, D.C., who brought six members of his
family to meet his Palmer classmates.