Sherman College Celebrates 51 Graduates During First-Ever Virtual Commencement
SPARTANBURG, SC — September 19, 2020 — Fifty-one students from around the world celebrated their graduation from Sherman College of Chiropractic during the institution’s first-ever virtual commencement ceremony.
The event marked the college’s 137th commencement and honored both June and September 2020 graduates. The ceremony premiered on Sherman College’s Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo platforms and featured heartfelt speeches, award recognitions, and a special photo presentation of the graduates.
A Personal and Meaningful Ceremony
Vice President for Student Affairs LaShanda Hutto Harris, MSW, explained that while the college could not hold a traditional in-person ceremony, the digital format created new opportunities for personalization.
“We were able to provide a more intimate ceremony with personal touches,” Harris shared. “Students participated in the production by submitting photos for the graduate presentation, and our elected student announcer, Cid Marie Correa Irizarry, read the names of her classmates during the program.”
Watch the ceremony online:
Award Recipients and Honors
Milton W. Garfunkel Award
- Michael Gregory Haun (June class, Tennessee)
- Tara Dawn Levesque (September class, Maine)
The Garfunkel Award is the highest honor bestowed at graduation. Recipients must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and exemplify the qualities Sherman College values most: a love of the profession, understanding of chiropractic philosophy, generosity, and service to both the college and the community. Levesque also delivered the farewell address to her classmates.
Academic Achievement Award
- Michael Gregory Haun (June class, Tennessee)
- Megan Grady (September class, Pennsylvania)
This award recognizes the graduate in each class who achieved the highest cumulative GPA throughout their studies.
Service Distinction Award
- Charles Thomas Tucker III (June class, South Carolina)
- Regina Renee Sanders (September class, South Carolina)
Presented only when truly merited, this award honors students who have made outstanding service contributions to Sherman College and the local community.
Clinical Excellence Award
- Cid Marie Correa Irizarry (June class, Puerto Rico)
- Tara Dawn Levesque (September class, Maine)
This recognition goes to interns who have demonstrated exceptional skill, professionalism, and dedication in Sherman’s on-campus Health Center, maintaining an A average in clinical performance.
B.J. Palmer Philosophy Distinction Award
- Teena Marie Rowe (June class, Kentucky)
- Charles Thomas Tucker III (June class, South Carolina)
This honor is reserved for students who exhibit a deep understanding of chiropractic philosophy and its practical application in the science and art of chiropractic.
Commencement Speakers
Terry E. Lancaster, M.A., Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences, delivered the commencement address. Lancaster teaches anatomy, physiology, osteology, and integration of human systems, among other subjects. She also maintains the college’s Anatomy Lab, mentors students, promotes research, and serves on several faculty committees. Named Faculty Member of the Year in 2017, Lancaster is completing her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Cellular/Molecular Biology)at Kent State University.
Frank Vaught Jr., D.C., founder of Health on Earth Wellness Centers, LLC in Illinois, delivered the charge to the graduates. Vaught is also a founding partner of Evoke Chiropractic Coaching and an accomplished speaker and wellness leader. His work focuses on prenatal and family chiropractic care, athletic performance, and community empowerment. He was the recipient of the 2013 African American Male Image Award and has lectured internationally, including at the Sport and Society Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
About the Doctor of Chiropractic Program
Sherman College’s Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) program requires approximately 5,000 hours of classroom, laboratory, and clinical study over 14 quarters. Students also complete an internship in the college’s on-campus Chiropractic Health Center. Applicants must have completed at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate coursework, including foundational science courses.
About Sherman College of Chiropractic
Located on an 80-acre campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Sherman College of Chiropractic provides a comprehensive and holistic chiropractic education. Graduates are known worldwide for their skill, compassion, and ethical dedication to the chiropractic profession.
For more information, visit www.sherman.edu or call 800-849-8771.