CAMPUS NEWS
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09/17/02
Sherman College Students Steal the Show
SEPTEMBER 17, 2002 - Sherman College is
home to a growing population of approximately
300 students who share avitalistic philosophy of
life and health and a passion for serving
others. But don't be misled into thinking
they're all alike. Our students come from many
different states and countries and have unique
hobbies, talents and backgrounds.
Here's a chance to meet just a few of the
students who help give Sherman College its
character.
Kim Otis
Cedric Smith
Scott and Katherine Crafton
Kim Otis
Some might say the fields of nursing and
chiropractic are like night and day -- but June
2002
graduate Kim Otis has worked in both professions
and feels fortunate to have gained a unique
perspective of health from her experiences.
Otis, a native of Westwood, NJ, worked for
twelve years as a psychiatric nurse before
enrolling in the doctor of chiropractic program
at Sherman College in fall 1998. She continued
that work at Marshall Pickens Hospital in nearby
Greenville, SC, while she was a student at
Sherman.
While studying to become a doctor of
chiropractic at Sherman College, Otis worked
16-hour shifts most Saturdays and Sundays at
Marshall Pickens. She did her classwork and
studied on weeknights. Now that she has
graduated, Otis says she'll continue working at
the hospital a while longer, then move to
Phoenix, AZ, to open a chiropractic practice
there.
As a psychiatric nurse at Marshall Pickens, Otis
assumes the roles of patient advocate, mediator,
educator, listener and communicator. She works
mostly with children and helps them manage
anger, depression and family issues -- and she
helps them gain coping skills to deal with
stresses in their lives.
As an intern in Sherman College's Chiropractic
Health Center, Otis took on many of the same
roles, and she feels her experience as a nurse
has given her a unique outlook as a doctor of
chiropractic. "I think it's easier for me to
relate to patients because of my background in
psychiatric nursing," she says. "I understand
how their mental and emotional health connects
with their physical health, and I have really
been able to reflect on how these issues affect
their spinal health."
Otis began her career as a nurse at Holy Name
Hospital in Teaneck, NJ, where she earned her
R.N. degree. She later completed a bachelor's
degree in Nursing at Coe College in Cedar
Rapids, IA. While earning her degree at Coe
College, she worked as a nurse at nearby St.
Luke's Hospital.
She says she chose psychiatric nursing because
she is a "people person." She also says it's a
harder job than she thought it would be. "I
thought being a psychiatric nurse would be easy,
but it was a lot harder than I imagined," she
says. "In nursing, the machines and blood work
were all black and white -- high or low -- but
dealing with mental health is much more
difficult because you work with the whole
person, and how people perceive and process
situations in their lives is so complex."
For a few years, Otis did some "traveling
nursing," filling in at hospitals in Baltimore,
MD, Upstate New York, and Phoenix, AZ. One day
in Phoenix, Otis strained her back, and a friend
referred her to Greg Muchnij, D.C., '86. She
stayed under his care until she left Phoenix.
"I believed in what Dr. Muchnij was talking
about when he educated me about chiropractic,"
Otis says. "I believe that our bodies are at
their best when there's no interference. When a
close friend asked if I had considered becoming
a doctor of chiropractic, I got chills. I loved
the atmosphere at the chiropractor's office. And
the thought of having a positive impact on so
many lives in such a unique way really convinced
me."
Soon Otis moved to Spartanburg, SC, "lock, stock
and barrel," to enroll at Sherman College
because she wanted a "small school atmosphere."
She had never before been to the college campus
or to the South. "I had no place to live, no
friends, no job," she says. But she took a few
prerequisite courses at Greenville Technical
College, met other aspiring doctors of
chiropractic and found work at Marshall Pickens
Hospital.
Otis says her background as a nurse helped her
through the program, emotionally and
academically.
"I have always felt that I bring a unique
perspective to nursing," she says. "Being under
chiropractic care helps me appreciate the body
in new ways and has helped me relate differently
to patients and people I work with. I try to
paint a larger picture of health in general."
Cedric Smith
Cedric Smith has accomplished much in a short
time. The 29-year-old graduated from high
school in Gaffney, SC, in 1991; spent four years
in the Marine Corps as a diesel mechanic;
celebrated the birth of his son and daughter,
Cedric Jr., and Kynnedi; earned a bachelor's
degree in biology and chemistry from Claflin
University in Orangeburg, SC; and matriculated
into Sherman College.
Smith says that when he completed his service in
the military, he was ready to begin his college
education and career search. He majored in
biology and chemistry because he knew he wanted
to be involved in a health profession. During
his four years at Claflin, he worked at Family
Health Center, Inc., in Orangeburg as a billing
clerk and later as Risk and Safety Manager.
After earning his bachelor's degree, Smith says
he decided to learn more about a career in
chiropractic. He had visited Sherman College
once before -- right after he graduated from
high school, so he made a second visit. He also
consulted with his good friend, a pediatrician,
who told him that becoming a doctor of
chiropractic would be an excellent career
choice.
Now a fourth-quarter student at Sherman College,
he volunteers regularly with the Cherokee County
(SC) NAACP and -- thanks to his father, a city
councilman -- enjoys being involved in Cherokee
County politics. In addition, he is a member of
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., a Chiropractic
Student Government representative and president
of the Student American Black Chiropractic
Association (SABCA) on campus.
"I like helping people," he says. "That's why I
want to be a chiropractor -- to help people in a
different, special way." Smith says he
especially enjoys working with children, and he
has become actively involved in NAACP programs
in his native Cherokee County by planning and
assisting with talent shows, mentoring programs,
pageants and more.
"My father always taught me to believe in myself
and to always look for ways improve," he says.
"Now I'm teaching the same principles to my
children. I want to help other kids have those
same positive experiences. Children who lack
confidence and support from their families
sometimes feel discouraged. If I have the
opportunity to talk to five kids, and because of
it, one of them says, 'You know, I want to go to
college,' then it makes the entire experience
worthwhile. I find satisfaction in that."
Smith is also making an impact in the
Spartanburg community through his post as
president of the Student ABCA. The club has made
a commitment to reach out to low-income areas of
town and help residents learn more about
chiropractic and its contribution to health. "I
want to tell people what chiropractic is about,"
he says. "I want to explain what chiropractic
can do for them and show them that they CAN
afford care at the college's Chiropractic Health
Center."
The club recently hosted a successful
Chiropractic Health Day at Chapel Street Park in
Spartanburg. Turnout for the event was good,
Smith said, and many were introduced to Sherman
College and chiropractic for the first time. The
Student ABCA will host a Health Day next quarter
and is planning to attend a health fair in
nearby Greenville, SC. Members will also visit
schools and college health fairs and participate
in other community events. The club is planning
bake sales to raise the funds necessary to
attend health fairs and go to conferences.
"Everyone in the club has agreed to go back to
their undergraduate schools to recruit," Smith
said. "We come from a broad range of colleges
and universities in the area, including several
historically black colleges and universities
like Claflin and Florida A&M."
Smith and fellow student Kercender Bowman
attended the ABCA regional conference in January
at Life University's College of Chiropractic in
Marietta, GA. "Everyone was so happy to see
representation from Sherman College," he said.
"There was a big turnout for the conference, but
everyone seemed to focus on us when we walked in
-- Sherman College hadn't been represented there
in a long time. We literally shook everyone's
hands."
Smith hopes the Student ABCA's exposure in the
community will supplement the college's efforts
in minority recruiting. "We plan to be
instrumental in increasing the diversity on
campus," he says. "President Hardee and Dr.
Princess Porter (career counselor for
Admissions) have been very supportive of the
club, and we've gotten a lot of positive
feedback from the student population and from
faculty and staff."
Another of Smith's goals is to bring about more
awareness of the Student ABCA's purpose. "We
want everyone to know that the Student ABCA is
not an organization just for African American
students," he says. "We're just trying to bring
more diversity to campus. We encourage everyone
to help and join in the club's activities. Our
message is all about chiropractic and health,
and strengthening Sherman College's position in
the profession and the community."
The Student ABCA has 14 members, but Smith says
they are a small group focused on making a big
impact. "Some people might think because we are
such a small club, we can't get much done," he
says. "But I was taught in my fraternity that
'eight men thoroughly immersed in true spirit
are far greater assets than eight with lukewarm
enthusiasm.' In other words, we only need a few
to make a world of difference."
Scott and Katherine
Crafton
Scott and Katherine Crafton of Flint, MI, are
well suited for a small side business in the DJ
and Karaoke market. "We make a good
combination," Scott says. "I can carry the
equipment, and she can sing."
Their DJ and musical skills have made the
Craftons an integral part of social activities
on the
Sherman College campus. Upon the graduation of
unofficial Sherman College DJ Jason Usher
earlier this year, the couple took over musical
operations for Bagelfest, commencement
ceremonies and other college events.
They also began hosting Karaoke Nights on campus
each quarter. "Originally we were a little
worried about students coming back after a long
day of classes," Scott says. "But we brought in
some colored lights to change the atmosphere.
It's lots of fun, and we enjoy seeing other
students in a different situation than we see
them during classes. It's nice to see the
different groups they form to sing. And it's
also fun to see administrators and students
singing together -- seeing some hidden talents
we never knew about before."
The Craftons' music library is an investment, to
say the least. The couple has nearly 7,000
karaoke songs, plus more than 500 music CDs for
their DJ work. Katherine says they enjoy karaoke
because "you can experiment with all different
styles -- pop, country, R&B, opera -- and you're
not stuck in one genre. It keeps me interested
because there are always new songs to learn."
When they lived in Detroit, MI, and Atlanta, GA,
the Craftons worked with agents and were booked
at many events. They freelanced at nightclubs,
private and corporate parties, community events,
yacht clubs, golf courses, weddings and other
social events.
For the Craftons, deciding to become doctors of
chiropractic took a little more time than
developing their niche in the music business. In
fact, both of them spent years in the work force
-- Scott as an English teacher and high school
principal, and Katherine as a nutritional
therapist, a vocalist and a music teacher.
Their positive experiences with chiropractic
care eventually led them to investigate the
profession. "We knew how good we felt when we
were under care," Katherine says. "We became
more aware of how the body works, and we wanted
to learn more. To think that we could be doctors
of chiropractic and give people the opportunity
to have healthier spines and bodies seemed like
a great way to finish our careers."
Scott says he and Katherine have always been
interested in health. "I looked at the body as
something quite special, something that can heal
itself," he explains. "Our decision took a long
time coming. We had to create a whole new
mindset. But building our second careers as
doctors of chiropractic made sense to us because
we love to help people and work with families."
So the Craftons left Michigan and began their
chiropractic journey. They enrolled at Sherman
College last summer. Along with them came a
daughter, Natalie, 19; and son Matthew, 16. Both
are interested in careers in chiropractic. The
Craftons' other son, Michael, 29, is a police
officer and a chiropractic advocate. All three
children grew up under chiropractic care.
The Craftons say their age didn't hold them back
from their new career choice. "Practicing as
doctors of chiropractic is something we can do
as long as we want," she says. "Age didn't
present a barrier on our decision, and the
students here seem to think we are energetic and
youthful. We want to be a part of something
that's important for a long time."
Now fifth-quarter students at Sherman College,
the Craftons have slowed their musical schedule.
"Any work we could do during an intense academic
program like this would be to DJ, work a few
hours, and schedule events around our classwork
and exams," Katherine says. "We decided to get a
solid start in school before we started taking
jobs here. The nice thing about this business is
that it's not something you have to work on at
home. We only need to maintain the equipment and
purchase up-to-date CDs. It's something we
really enjoy doing in our spare time."
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