Marietta, Georgia –October 15, 2024 –  Life University (Life U) recently held its largest event on the annual calendar, the 2024 Life Vision Extravaganza (LVE), from October 3 through October 5, 2024, at the prestigious Cobb Galleria Centre. The Lasting Purpose Luncheon functions similarly to a formal closing of ceremonies for the Galleria portion of the event. It is a meaningful gathering that honors deserving Alumni and Friends of Life U with designated awards bestowed upon the truly exceptional from the last year in Chiropractic and Life U. This year’s festivities took place in the Gallery at the Cobb Galleria Centre on Saturday, October 5, from 12:30-2:00 p.m.
The honored Lasting Legacy awardees are as follows:
Lasting Purpose- To Give: 100% Chiropractic- Jason Helfrich, D.C., Vanessa Helfrich, D.C.
Awarded to individuals who have demonstrated a notable increase in giving or an expansion of their giving to Life U, supporting Lasting Purpose.
Lasting Purpose- To Do: Michael Longyear, D.C.
Awarded to an individual who contributes time, talent and treasure to Life U and the chiropractic profession.
Lasting Purpose- To Love: Edwin Cordero, D.C.
Awarded to the individual who exemplifies the highest level of pride and love for Life U.
Lasting Purpose- To Serve: Marc Ellis, D.C.
Awarded to the individual who has been a beacon for Life U in their service to their community and our profession.
2024 Chiropractor of the Year: B.J. Hardick, D.C.
Awarded to an individual who has made significant contributions to the chiropractic profession and leads the way for other doctors and patients. They exemplify Life U’s tradition of excellence and have brought credit to the University and their profession through professional achievements or humanitarian service.
Distinguished Alumnus/a Award: Stan Pierce, D.C.
Awarded to an Life U Alumnus/a who who has reached the pinnacle of success in his or her career and has brought credit to themselves and to Life U. The contribution(s) do not need to be publicly renowned but should represent important creative effort or accomplishment with societal or educational value.
Young Alumnus/a Award: JaGarren Knight-Bryant, D.C.
Awarded to a young Life U alumnus/a, who has graduated within the last 10 years, for his or her outstanding professional and community achievements.
Honorary Alumnus/a award: John Williams, D.C.
Honors a friend of Life U who has reached the pinnacle of their individual career and life success, including making a measurable difference in their profession, community and at Life U.
Honorary University Advancement Team Award: John Downes, D.C.
Honors a faculty or staff member who exemplifies his/her pride for Life U through assisting the advancement team and securing donations.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Andy Krantz, D.C.
Honors an individual who represents a lifetime of Lasting Purpose and dedication to the chiropractic profession and Life U.
Spirit of Philanthropy Award: Christina Gray, D.C. & Mr. Jodie Gray
Honors an individual, family, association, corporation or foundation with a proven record of providing major, ongoing financial support and leadership to Life U. Their generosity encourages others to take leadership roles in philanthropy toward Life U.
Lifetime Giving Award: Life Rugby Alumni Association, Jay Zimmerman
Honors a donor who has given consistently and selflessly to Life U over the course of many years.
P.E.A.K. Doctor of the Year: Rebecca Yaun, D.C.
Honors an individual who creates exceptional experiences for Life U PEAK students.
Legacy Society Award: Jeff Aita, D.C. & Mrs. Carol Aita
Honors an individual or family who has given to Life U through planned giving.
The Sunshine Life Award: Mrs. Neia Diaz
Honors an individual (non-DC) who exhibits the true mission of Life U shown by their Serving, Unwavering, Nurturing Spirit, and who strives for Harmony, Impact, Nobility and Empathy in everything they do.
LIFEforce Will Not Stop Award: Stu Katzen, D.C. & Mrs. Eve Katzen
For LIFEforce Tribe members who have stayed committed, shown strength and resilience, and never stop educating and promoting Chiropractic – they are changing the world!
LIFEforce Impact Award: Leslie McClellan, D.C. & Mike McClellan, D.C.
For new LIFEforce Tribe members committed to the LIFEforce program and mission. Through this award, we recognize those who exemplify the power of education and dedication to making a lasting impact through sharing Chiropractic with the world.
Founded in 1974, Life University is a health sciences institution most known for its College of Chiropractic, the largest single-campus College of Chiropractic in the world. Undergraduates can pursue 14 undergraduate degrees; a pre-chiropractic, degree-seeking pathway; and three graduate degrees within the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies. Some degree programs are offered to distance learners through the College of Online Education.
Life University strives to empower our students to succeed both professionally and personally. At Life U, we innovate our approach to higher education, while also remaining true to our philosophical commitment to produce informed leaders who exemplify humanistic values in their professions. To achieve this goal, Life U recognizes and demonstrates its dedication through three official Life University Values: Lasting Purpose, Vitalism and Integrity.
Life U’s 110-acre campus in Marietta, Georgia, just northwest of Atlanta, is home to more than 2,700 undergraduate, graduate and professional students who come from all 50 United States and more than 65 countries.
For more information about Life University, visit life.edu.
 About Life University
Life University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, associate, master’s and Doctor of Chiropractic degrees, and also has programmatic accreditation through the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The mission of Life University is to empower students with the education, skills and values necessary for career success and life fulfillment, based on a vitalistic philosophy.
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