Alumni Return in Droves for Chiropractic Homecoming and Winter Gathering at Northwestern Health Sciences University

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Northwestern Health Sciences University was alive with activity during its 2009 Chiropractic Homecoming and Winter Gathering, Feb. 5-7, 2009.

Approximately 1,000 alumni, students, chiropractic assistants, and 100 vendors, poured in from all over the country. “I’ve attended all homecomings since I graduated from Northwestern in 1950,” said Victor Marty, DC, ’50. “The best thing about homecoming is the fellowship of the alumni.”

Attendees were able to fulfill their continuing education units throughout the weekend. “I like that I can get all of my continuing education units at once, and that the event is located at a close and familiar place,” said Kandis Blomker, DC, ’93. “The information was good.”

On the evening of Feb. 5, the reunion years were celebrated at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Hilton. “The reunion was packed,” said Debbie Peterson, executive director of alumni, development and career services. “It was fun to see the friendships that had been formed through Northwestern!”

The second day of homecoming included more presentations and another impressive celebration at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Hilton. The “Up North Buffet” served up delicious Minnesota-inspired dishes to attendees, as they enjoyed an evening of dancing and playing Texas Hold ’Em. The Deejay was even a Northwestern graduate – Martin D’Arce, DC, ’98.

Three awards were presented throughout the course of the evening. Barbro Brost, DC, ’79, received the Alumnus of the Year award. She now runs The Brost Clinic in Wayzata, Minn. The Biofreeze Thera-Band Humanitarian Award was presented to Mark Garnett, DC, ’91, a member of the Northwestern College of Chiropractic Alumni Association Board of Directors. The final award of the evening was presented to Northwestern’s very own Charles Sawyer, DC, senior vice president of Northwestern and ’77 alumnus, who received the Distinguished Service Award.

On the final day of Homecoming, alumni left with fulfilled continuing education units and rekindled friendships. “It was great to see how much fun everyone had,” said Peterson. “People feel like they are part of something special when they attend Homecoming – and they are!”

Northwestern Health Sciences University offers a wide array of choices in natural health care education including chiropractic, Oriental medicine, acupuncture, therapeutic massage and human biology. The University has nearly 900 students on a 25-acre campus in Bloomington, Minnesota.