March 2004

Guy Riekeman named Life University president

Guy Riekeman, DC, has been elected president of Life University during a special meeting March 2, 2004, of the Board of Trustees. He will take office immediately, succeeding Ben DeSpain.

“Dr. Riekeman epitomizes Life’s fundamental commitments to chiropractic scholarship, teaching and service to others,” commented Charles Ribley, DC, chairman of the board. “His character and outstanding human qualities have made Dr. Riekeman a valued colleague among chiropractic educators and an inspiration to students.

“Dr. Riekeman is the ideal person to lead this university and to inspire all of us in the Life University family to join in with him in enhancing Life’s many contributions to higher education, research and to humanity at large,” added Ribley.

President Riekeman’s educational credentials include service as an x-ray instructor, dean of philosophy and vice president of Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic. While at Sherman, Dr. Riekeman worked in development and student recruitment, and assisted in the planning and building of the school’s current campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Prior to his appointment to Life, Riekeman served as chancellor of the Palmer Chiropractic University System that includes Palmer Davenport, Palmer West and Palmer Florida, the Foundation for Chiropractic History and a center for chiropractic research.

Riekeman was introduced to the Palmer system as the executive director of the Palmer Institute for Professional Advancement where he was instrumental in establishing a variety of professional, managerial and personal development programs. He was named president of Palmer Davenport in 1998 where he grew a declining enrollment to maximum capacity 1,800. At the time he resigned as chancellor and president of the Palmer University System, one in five chiropractic students attended college at a Palmer campus.

President Riekeman thanked the trustees for “this opportunity to lead a university that I have developed such affection for. As a result of your leadership, the university is now ready to face new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of us. I know that I have much to learn over the coming months, but I also know that I can depend on the advice and counsel of all members of the Life community, from our faculty, staff and students here on campus to the trustees, alumni and the chiropractic family around the world.”

The Board of Trustees expressed thanks to Dr. DeSpain for his service and said it looks forward to building on his tenure in partnership with Riekeman.

Source: Life University

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