Scholarship named for Spartanburg chiropractor John H. Porter, Jr.

Local leaders, college presidents, and many patients and students gathered Thursday evening to honor Spartanburg, South Carolina’s second black chiropractor, John H. Porter, Jr., DC, and his legacy in the Spartanburg community and at Sherman College.

About 140 attended Sherman College’s first annual Scholarship Dinner celebrating the newly established Dr. John H. Porter, Jr. Scholarship Fund. Porter is celebrating his 40th year on the Sherman College faculty and is known as one of the institution’s most beloved graduates and professors, as well as a valued community member and health care provider. Porter is a 1977 Sherman graduate; he joined the college faculty in 1979 and opened his chiropractic office in 1981.

The Dr. John H. Porter, Jr. Scholarship Fund was established to help lessen the financial burden faced by generations of future chiropractic students, allowing them to pursue careers of service like Porter, dedicated to the health and wellness of their communities.

During the event, Sherman College awarded its first Porter Scholarship to Charles Thomas Tucker, III, of Rock Hill, S.C. Tucker is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and holds numerous student leadership positions on the Sherman College campus.

Speakers at the dinner included Porter’s adult children, Michael Porter, Jennifer Lee and Princess Porter; Sherman College President Edwin Cordero; the first Porter Scholarship recipient, Tucker; and other colleagues and college representatives.

“No doubt after 40-plus years of service, Dr. Porter could teach us all a thing or two about community, and about building a legacy,” Cordero said during the event. “Dr. Porter has literally influenced thousands of lives in this community for the better. This scholarship will serve as a reminder for generations to come of Dr. Porter’s commitment to Sherman College, to chiropractic education, and to Spartanburg.”

Three of Sherman College’s five presidents attended to help honor Porter, including Thomas A. Gelardi, DC, the college’s founder and first president; Jerry L. Hardee, DC, third president; and Edwin Cordero, DC, fifth (current) president. Current and past chairs of the Board of Trustees, Judy Campanale and Peter Kevorkian, were also present, as were community leaders, including Mary Thomas of the Spartanburg County Foundation and representatives from sponsor companies including Merrill/Bank of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Harper Construction, Spartanburg High School and others.

About Sherman College

Sherman College of Chiropractic provides students with a comprehensive chiropractic education, preparing them to enter the field as doctors of chiropractic who are highly skilled, compassionate, ethical and successful. On its 80-acre campus in South Carolina, Sherman offers a first professional degree program unique in its approach to health care and known globally for the skill and art of chiropractic delivered by graduates. For more information, visit sherman.edu or call 800-849-8771.