November 7, 2023 – Marietta, Georgia – On November 2, Life University (Life U) President Dr. Rob Scott and Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jana Holwick accepted the official charter from the Mortar Board Honor Society. The charter was presented to Life U by the Mortar Board National President, Dr. Cassandra Lucas, as well as the Executive Director from the National Mortar Board office, Dr. Kirsten Fox. Mortar Board is a prestigious honor society that recognizes outstanding academic achievement, leadership and service among college seniors. Founded in 1918, Mortar Board has chapters in over 300 colleges and universities across the United States and has a membership of over 300,000. The Society’s mission is to promote scholarship, leadership and service, and to encourage lifelong learning and meaningful contributions to society. Life U was recognized as the 235th chapter. During the chapter installation, eight students were initiated and received their Mortar Board pin and certificate.
The following Life U students were recognized:
Sarah Barsoum
Major: Dietetics; Graduating Class: Spring 2025; Hometown: Delray Beach, FL; Engagement, Leadership and Service: She is a member of Life U’s Women’s Rugby team, is a student member of the Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society and is Assistant Coach for the Atlanta Valkyries Rugby Club.
Estelle Caill
Major: Business Administration; Graduating Class: Fall 2024; Hometown: Marietta, GA; Engagement, Leadership and Service: She is member of Life U’s Women’s Soccer team.
Diego Guerrero
Major: Exercise Science; Graduating Class: Spring 2025; Hometown: Sahuarita, AZ; Engagement, Leadership and Service: He serves as a mentor to first-year wrestlers at Life U and supports community through instruction and coaching during seasonal youth wrestling camps and programs. He is a member of Life U’s Men’s Wrestling team.
Peyton Henyon
Major: Exercise Science; Graduating Class: Fall 2023; Hometown: Johns Creek, GA; Engagement, Leadership and Service: She is an active member of the Volunteer Service with Shephard Center and NeuroLIFE Institute. She displays leadership and service with the Functional Neurology Club, Applied Kinesiology Club, Gonstead Club, Motion Palpation Club and Wellness Way Club.
Dontavius Hodge
Major: Biology; Graduating Class: Winter 2025; Hometown: Colbert, GA; Engagement, Leadership and Service: He volunteers within the local community to support food insecurities among the unhoused populations, assists in English as a second language programs and serves to provide resources to underrepresented and underserved populations.
Yin Lim
Major: Exercise Science; Graduating Class: Fall 2023; Hometown: Woodstock, GA; Engagement, Leadership and Service: He serves as a Life U PAL for General Chemistry tutor and is a Swim Coach with Marlins Swim Team working with K-12 students. He also supports programs with the American Heart Association.
Okezikam Mbanasoa
Major: Computer Information Management; Graduating Class: Summer 2024; Hometown: Powder Springs, GA; Engagement, Leadership and Service: He serves as a member of the newly reinstated Life U Yearbook Committee and engages in a student advisory committee role for the Business Major to support student learning and growth opportunities.
Christina Ralph
Major: Dietetics; Graduating Class: Spring 2024; Hometown: Fairburn, GA; Engagement, Leadership and Service: She is an exercise specialist for a senior living community, a Life U Wellness Fitness Instructor, a personal trainer and a wellness-focused motivational coach.
The honorary initiates include Drs. Catherine Faust, Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, and Michael Smith, Associate Dean of Academic and Community Engagement in the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies. Mortar Board is also passionate about creating a capstone service experience for its members, and Life U has agreed to provide mentors to the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program in the Cobb County School District. The AVID Program fosters a safe and open culture, high expectations for teachers and students, and collaboration in all classrooms. The Mortar Board students will serve as mentors in the program. We’re excited about the opportunity to serve our students and community!
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 undergraduate degrees; a pre-chiropractic, degree-seeking pathway; and 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, click here.
About Life University
Life University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, 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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