Sixty-six students from around the world received the doctor of chiropractic degree from Sherman College of Chiropractic in Spartanburg, SC, on Saturday, December 11, 2021. The college’s 142nd commencement was a shared ceremony for December 2021 and March 2022 graduates. The college live-streamed the ceremony on Facebook and YouTube so that friends and family could watch.
Selena Garber Babcock of North Carolina (December 2021) and Savannah Butts of South Carolina (March 2022) received the Milton W. Garfunkel Award, and each presented a farewell address to their classmates. The Garfunkel Award is the highest award given at graduation. Students receiving this honor must have a grade point average of 3.5 or above, and in addition, best exemplify a love of the profession, an understanding of the philosophy, willingness to share, and service to the college and community.
Kushal N. Hegneshwar of South Carolina (December 2021) and Caleb Christian Kirk of Oklahoma (March 2022) received the Academic Achievement Award. The Academic Achievement Award is given to the individual in each graduating class who maintains the highest grade point average throughout his or her studies at Sherman College.
Michelle Anthonies of Missouri (March 2022) and Justin Bedrosian of Canada (March 2022) received the Service Distinction Award. This distinction is not given at every graduation; rather it is given to students who stand out for their significant and distinguished service contributions to Sherman College and the local community throughout their course of study.
Taylor Marie Webb of Texas (December 2021) and Savannah Butts (March 2022) received the Clinical Excellence Award in recognition of their successful practices in the Health Center. This award is given to an intern in each class who has diligently worked to develop skills in the art, science and philosophy of chiropractic, maintained an A average in the clinical program and exhibited superior overall clinical performance and professionalism.
Selena Garber Babcock (December 2021) and Justin Bedrosian (March 2022) received the B.J. Palmer Philosophy Distinction Award. This honor is given to outstanding students who exemplify the profound philosophical understanding necessary to translate the universal principles of life into the workable philosophy, science and art that is chiropractic.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences and 2000 Sherman College cum laude graduate Daniel Becker, M.Ed., D.C., presented the commencement address. He joined the faculty in 2016 and his primary chiropractic and teaching interests are neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis and case management. Becker says he returned to Sherman College to fulfill his long-term goal of educating the chiropractors of tomorrow to make his biggest impact on the future of healthcare. In addition to his doctor of chiropractic degree, Becker holds both a bachelor’s (1995) and a master’s (1997) in health and physical education with an emphasis in exercise science from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania.
While at Slippery Rock, Becker worked as an assistant director at the Russell M. Wright Fitness Center, assisting in the day-to-day operation of a 1,500-member fitness facility, supervising other employees, working with research and conducting personal training sessions. Prior to joining the Sherman College faculty, he actively practiced chiropractic in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland, both independently and with various clinics. He is a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Rehabilitation, a Diplomate of the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, and is certified as a Chiropractic Sports Physician by the American Board of Chiropractic Sports Physicians. In addition, he holds certifications in first aid and the Graston Technique.
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 www.sherman.edu or call 800-849-8771.
