>
20 20
Dr . Guy Riekeman Honored with Building Dedication on LIFE ’ s Campus
On October 15 , 2020 , many joined in celebrating the career of Dr . Guy Riekeman on the Life University campus as the Center for Chiropractic Education ( CCE ) was dedicated in his honor as the Guy F . Riekeman , D . C . Center for Chiropractic Education . Dr . Riekeman will be known for many things throughout his illustrious career as a chiropractor , educator and speaker , but perhaps his most noteworthy accomplishment was leading Life University back to prominence after a challenging start to the new millennium while serving as LIFE ’ s fourth President from March 2004 to May 2017 .
“ It goes without saying that without his contribution , we simply would not be here today ,” remarked Life University President Dr . Rob Scott at the dedication ceremony . “ We always say that leadership ’ s goal is to cast the vision , and Dr . Riekeman has been so important in that for our institution and for the Chiropractic profession .”
In his 15-plus year career at the University , Dr . Riekeman guided LIFE to become the largest single-campus chiropractic college in the world . His leadership created the 2020 Strategic Plan , a multi-year , multi-phase strategic vision that has included capital development , student housing , cafés , classrooms , sports facilities and testing centers , as well as programmatic development and unique , nationally recognized initiatives such as the Chillon Project , an educational program at Lee Arrendale Women ’ s Prison , which are reshaping lives .
Along with a myriad of on-campus developments in his tenure , Dr . Riekeman also expanded the global reach of the institution with the establishment of clinics and internship opportunities in countries such as China , Costa Rica , Sweden and more , as well as through the creation of recruitment organizations and events including LIFEforce and LIFE Leadership Weekend .
Speaking at the ceremony , LIFE Board of Trustees Chairman Dr . Kevin Fogarty explained the significance of honoring Dr . Riekeman in this way , saying , “ We are doing something that ’ s really unprecedented . We are dedicating a building to someone — not who ’ s given us a million dollars — but someone who has given of his blood , sweat and tears to this University to go ahead and propel us to the next level .”
After Dr . Riekeman ’ s presidential tenure concluded , he was then promoted to the position of Chancellor where he served from May 2017 through December 2019 . Dr . Riekeman became the first Chancellor Emeritus in the history of LIFE on January 1 , 2020 . When appointed Chancellor Emeritus earlier this year , Dr . Riekeman reemphasized his dedication to his life ’ s work by saying , “ I have spent my entire chiropractic life working to give every adult , child and expecting mom the opportunity to understand and have access to Chiropractic . That will not change for the rest of my life , but it will absolutely focus on a worldview and not just a North American venture .”
Dr . Riekeman echoed this vision of worldwide access to Chiropractic when speaking at the CCE building dedication ceremony in his honor , as he described what it signified to him going forward .
“ What happens inside these walls — if we do it right — is inspiration ,” noted Dr . Riekeman . “ This [ building ] is a forum for chiropractic inspiration — to go out and carry the profession around the planet .”
( L-R ): Chancellor Emeritus Dr . Guy Riekeman , Board of Trustees Chairman Dr . Kevin Fogarty and LIFE Co-Founder Dr . Chuck Ribley
“ What happens inside these walls — if we do it right — is inspiration .”
LIFE President Dr . Rob Scott , Chancellor
Emeritus Dr . Guy Riekeman and members of the University ’ s Board of Trustees pose by the newly dedicated Guy F .
Riekeman , D . C . Center for Chiropractic Education
>
Dr . Guy Riekeman
Life University staff , faculty and students look on at the CCE dedication ceremony .
>
28 Alumni . LIFE . edu | 2020