LIFE WEST GRANTS DEGREES TO 49 GRADUATES DURING ITS 47TH GRADUATION CEREMONY

               HAYWARD, Calif., December 16, 2005– Forty-nine students from across the nation and overseas were awarded doctor of chiropractic degrees at Life Chiropractic College West's 47th commencement on December 10, 2005, at the Chabot College Performing Arts Center in Hayward, California.  The special event celebrated the graduation of the classes of Summer 2005 and Fall 2005. 

              The commencement address was delivered by Dr. Kerby Landis, a prominent Bay Area chiropractor whose distinguished career spans the second half of the history of the profession. After developing one of the largest chiropractic practices in California in the 1960s and ‘70s, he went on to share his experience and talent with his colleagues by developing a management company. In the 1980s, he joined forces with another company to form the Landis Ward Management Company. He also served two terms as president of the International Chiropractors Association of California (ICAC).

Dr. Landis told the audience, “When I say my prayers at night, I thank my God that I’ve been able to be a chiropractor. It’s a great profession. It’s based on true principles. And I have enjoyed every minute of it.”

Top academic honors in the Summer 2005 class went to valedictorian Kristin Beratta of Antioch, Calif. Fall 2005 graduate Paige Van Slooten from Pleasanton, Calif., was honored as her class’s valedictorian.   Earning the salutatorian honors were Aaron Casselman (Summer ’05 class) from Chandler, Ariz., and Michelle Wendling (Fall ’05) of Fort Collins, Colo.

Patricia Spelman of San Diego, Calif., was awarded the Summer quarter 2005 Clinical Excellence Citation for her exceptional patient care at the Life West Public Health Center. This quarterly award is the highest accolade given by the college's Health Center.  In addition to her class valedictorian honor, Paige Van Slooten also received the Clinical Excellence Citation for the Fall quarter 2005.

Life West’s newest doctors represented 10 states and five foreign countries, including Canada, Germany, Thailand, Italy, and Korea.

The doctor of chiropractic degree (D.C.) represents a four-academic-year program of basic and clinical sciences, including an extensive clinical internship. More than 3,500 graduates of Life West are now practicing throughout the world.