West Campus June Graduation
Nine graduates received their Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
degrees at the West Campus Spring Quarter 2009 commencement
on June 12. Kristopher Michael Birkeland,
Tempe, Ariz., and Lindsay Alice Orth, Racine, Wis., were
valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Mr. Birkeland
also received the Clinical Excellence Award. Kevin Michael
Meyer, Clarkson, Neb., received the Virgil V. Strang
Philosophy Award, and Matthew Harris, Santa Barbara,
Calif., received the Student Fellow Award.Thomas Hyde,
D.C., presented the commencement address and was recognized
for his contribution to chiropractic and the West
Campus. The College also honored retiring West Campus
Professor Dale Nansel, Ph.D., for his 19 years of service.
Davenport Campus June Graduation
Davenport Campus commencement ceremonies on Friday,
June 13, marked the graduation of 106 Doctors of Chiropractic
and four Associate of Science in Chiropractic Technology
degree recipients. During her commencement speech, 1989
Davenport Campus graduate Laura Tanis, D.C., asked all
alumni in attendance to stand up. She then told the graduates,
“Palmer College and its alumni are here for you. And we are
committed to helping you.”
Palmer’s Director of Student Academic Affairs Kevin Paustian,
D.C., was given a Presidential Citation for his work as interim
director of Technique for the College. Faculty member
Roger Hynes, D.C., was the Honors Convocation speaker.
The three valedictorians were Matt Carl Craig, Spring Bay, Ill.;
Charynn Renae Olsheski, Home, Pa.; and Daryn Joel Wiese,
Spokane, Wash. Trevor Darnell, Kalamazoo, Mich., received
the Virgil V. Strang Philosophy Award, and Amy Louise Mathis,
Davenport, won the Clinical Excellence Award. The class salutatorian
was Steven A. Nagel, Linton, N.D., and Kyle Gillett from
Ohio was given the John Connolly Memorial Award for scholarship
and involvement in Palmer and community organizations.
Florida Campus June Graduation
The Florida Campus graduated its thirteenth class on Friday,
June 19, 2009, where 34 students received their Doctor of
Chiropractic degrees during the graduation convocation,
which featured a commencement address by Professor James
La Rose, M.B.B.S., M.Med.
Class honors were awarded to the following: Valedictorian, David
Anthony Young, Florida; Salutatorian, Jessica Lauren Wing, Maryland;
Virgil V. Strang Philosophy Award, Barry Franklin Qualls Jr.,
Alabama; Clinical Excellence Award, Wayne Jonathan Broth, New
Jersey; President’s Scholars: Tyler Darl Albrecht, Michigan; Jason
Michael Bullock, Virginia; and Adam Daniel Dixon, Tennessee.
West Campus September Graduation
Fourteen West Campus graduates received their Doctor of
Chiropractic degrees on Sept. 18. David De Mey, Sacramento,
Calif., and Jennifer Murphy, Virginia Beach, Calif., graduated as
valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Mr. De Mey also
received the Clinical Excellence award, the Virgil V. Strang
Philosophy Award and the Student Fellow Award.
Other award honorees included Maher Audeh, Edmonton, Alta.,
Canada, for his service as an executive officer of Associated
Student Government; Beau Pierce, Orcutt, Calif., for his service
as a Campus Guide; and Anne Hosner, for her service as a Sports
Council executive officer/events coordinator.
Terry Schroeder, D.C., West ’86, presented the commencement
address. As a member of four U.S. Olympic water polo teams,
Dr. Schroeder earned two silver medals, and another as coach
of the 2008 U.S. men’s team at the 2008 Beijing Summer
Olympic Games.