Matteo Olivotto, CGUS Valedictorian, Spring 2024 “To give, to do, to love, to serve out of your own abundance.” Following the founding words of this university, I want to emphasize the added value Life University’s community provides. Over the years, I’ve met countless wonderful people who are always available to help and who cheer you up on your darkest days. For this reason, I want to thank our professors, advisors, and all the Life University staff for guiding us through this adventure and sometimes teaching us concepts with unpronounceable names. Guiding us toward the discovery of our own lasting purpose is another goal of this school. The university gives you the opportunity to find yourself, create connections and friendships, and build memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime. Most importantly, it helps you uncover your mission. This journey isn’t without challenges—we will fail, make mistakes, and face doubts—but it’s in those moments that we must persevere. Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of it. We are young, and we have the privilege of taking risks. By stepping out of our comfort zones, we learn, grow, and live fully. Coming to Life University was a step out of my comfort zone, and it has transformed me in unimaginable ways. Today, I leave with more than just an education—I leave with friendships, lessons, and a deeper understanding of who I am and what I’m capable of achieving. Kaylee Wilson Conlan, COC Valedictorian, Spring 2024 The initial reaction to graduation is, “We’ve made it! The learning is over, finally!” But in reality, the true learning has just begun. Hours of studying for exams now become hours of studying patient paperwork, scans and X-rays. Countless days of sitting in classrooms turn into hours of sitting in conference rooms for continuing education. Sitting in front of a classmate or writing a fake patient history trying to figure out what we’re doing turns into sitting in front of a real patient with real issues, truly desiring for you to empathize with them and know if you can help. We hold in our hands, quite literally, an immense opportunity to impact the lives of countless people and transform their lives in ways they didn’t even know were possible. Chiropractic is more than just a profession; it’s a calling to serve – a kind of service that adds years to life and life to years. Dr. Sid Williams, one of the founders of Life University, charges us with these words: “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” Up until this point, to a certain degree, our success in obtaining our diploma has been determined by checking the boxes – taking the classes, passing the exams, securing a set number of patient visits and so on. From now on, our success in what we do with that degree will be determined by the future we create for ourselves. As we move forward into our next adventures, let us carry the wisdom of Principle Number Six: “There is no process that does not require time.” The trials we face will shape us, and over time, we’ll gain the clinical wisdom and skills necessary to create the futures we’ve dreamed of – the futures that inspired us to become chiropractors in the first place. Together, let us approach the world with confidence, compassion and a commitment to excellence, leaving it better than we found it. Abigail G. Nichols, CGUS Valedictorian, Summer 2024 Adjusting to a new environment wasn’t easy. I went from playing on a rival team to joining Life University, where I initially felt out of place and missed home deeply. Over time, however, I began to find my footing. I made incredible friends who challenged me to grow as both an athlete and a person. I started to enjoy my classes more as the subjects sparked my curiosity. I even found an amazing off-campus job that allowed me to connect with people across Atlanta. Looking back on these two and a half years, I wouldn’t trade a single moment of my time at Life University for anything else. This journey has taught me that challenges, while uncomfortable, are the very moments that foster growth. Life’s difficulties may feel unfair at times, but they often pave the way for personal transformation. As we celebrate this milestone, I encourage all graduates to lean into discomfort and face challenges head-on. Whether starting a career, pursuing further education or building a business, remember that growth comes from perseverance. As C.S. Lewis wisely noted, “God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons that we could never learn in any other way.” Benjamin R. Lowman, COC Valedictorian, Summer 2024 Albert Einstein once said, “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” In this program, we faced many challenges and hardships, but these adversities not only demonstrated each graduate’s resilience and determination; they also served as catalysts for growth in our personal and professional lives. To my friends and fellow graduates, we have walked this road together – many long hours of studying, praying for passing marks (if you know, you know) and overcoming other challenges throughout this program. We can officially say we did it! While this was definitely one of the most challenging parts of our lives, we still found ways to have some good times together. The relationships I’ve formed here are ones I will cherish far beyond these three years of school. Lastly, as we embark on this next chapter, I encourage everyone here, especially the chiropractic graduates, to remember the reason why you started this journey. Let your passion for helping others be your guiding light and always consider the profound impact we have on the lives of those we serve. As B.J. Palmer once said, “You never know how far-reaching something you think, say or do will affect the lives of millions tomorrow.” 8 Alumni.life.edu | 2024
