September 2004

Riekeman inaugurated as Life president

Dr. Guy F. Riekeman was inaugurated July 22 as the fourth president of Life University before a standing‑room‑only crowd. More than 1,000 students, alumni and community representatives gathered to celebrate the occasion. Delegates from around the world were also in attendance to congratulate the new president. Riekeman spoke on maintaining the founding mission, purpose and motto of Life University.

Riekeman blended his love for cinema and philosophy with his dedication to integrity and chiropractic in delivering an address that was interrupted a dozen times with extended applause. Quoting Sean Penn on the death of Marlon Brando, Riekeman said those committed to the success of chiropractic and Life University must possess a "revolutionary sense of the truth" about the purpose and nature of chiropractic and health care.

Outlining challenges he addressed in the 16 weeks since taking up the reins at Life, Riekeman emphasized that the school must have financial support and a balanced budget to meet accreditation requirements. To accomplish this budgetary need by the end of September, he said Life must have more students and raise more than $3 million in cash.

The new president presented his vision for Life University's future by saying they will be a center for dialogue in the redefinition of health care. Not only will the University work to create dialogue, but as chiropractors, will lead the discussion. He outlined his goal of raising $75 million in private funds, allowing chiropractic to break free from constraints associated with federal funding and mandates to limit research. Finally, Riekeman rededicated Life's commitment to education ‑ the philosophy, art and science of chiropractic.

The inauguration was preceded by an academic procession including Life faculty and delegates from colleges and universities across the country and a welcoming address by Life's Provost, Dr. Brian McAulay. Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairman, Sam Olens and other chiropractic affiliates officially welcomed Dr. Riekeman to the Life University family.

A Life University inauguration tradition was upheld with the presentation of the University flag, displaying the motto "to give, to do, to love, to serve."

Riekeman's inauguration was the main event during the debut of Life University's newest postgraduate education program, LP3. More than 1,400 people converged on the campus to learn from some 50 of the profession's best speakers, find the latest products and services from over 70 exhibitors, enjoy special events and reconnect with former classmates. Roughly 60 prospective students attended a special program developed to introduce them to Life University and the chiropractic profession. Friday night's Donor Appreciation Dinner raised nearly $600,000, which pushes donations received to almost $2 million.

Riekeman is a successful businessman and university president. He has created companies and seminar programs to improve chiropractic practice and facilitate personal growth. Quest, founded in 1987, became one of the most widely acclaimed of such professional enterprises. Quest is a model for similar programs today, helping doctors throughout the world succeed in both business and patient care.

Riekeman continues to be highly sought as a motivational speaker, making dozens of appearances each year before a wide spectrum of audiences.

His experience as an educational administrator is also vast, having served in 1975 as Vice President of Sherman Chiropractic College, and beginning in 1998, president and later chancellor of the three colleges and related entities of the Palmer Chiropractic University System.

During his tenure at Palmer, its system achieved impressive enrollment and endowment gains and significantly advanced the course of scientific research.

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