Record Number of Attendees Honor Dr. Joseph Sweere at ‘Stars Among Us’ Gala

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - Northwestern Health Sciences University honored Joseph Sweere, DC, DABCO, DACBOH, FICC, a professor in the College of Chiropractic at Northwestern, at its fifth annual ‘Stars Among Us’ gala on Nov. 3. This gala took place at the Landmark Center in St. Paul, Minn.

A record 365 alumni, students, faculty, staff, donors, and friends of the University attended the gala, which is an annual fundraiser recognizing the many people who have been instrumental in building the University’s international reputation as a natural health care pioneer. The program began with a V.I.P. reception at 5:30 p.m., which welcomed major donors, the University’s Board of Trustees, Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead and Owatonna Mayor Thomas Kuntz.

The V.I.P. reception was followed by a cocktail reception, dinner, an awards ceremony, dancing, a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, and dozens of chances to win prizes. More than 125 gift baskets featuring prizes including an iPod, a television, and gift certificates were raffled during the event, which is expected to generate $100,000 for the University.

During the award ceremony, Dr. Sweere was recognized for his passion, dedication and commitment to Northwestern and was presented with the Brilliant Star Award. Dozens of Dr. Sweere’s family members and friends attended, including his wife Mary and their six children.

“Northwestern is a unique place to work filled with an amazing spirit, and Dr. Sweere has unselfishly given his time, support and energy to Northwestern in so many ways,” said Brady Forseth, BA, director of development.

Dr. Sweere graduated from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in 1961 and has been a passionate advocate for wellness care ever since. Known as a pillar in the chiropractic profession, Sweere has lectured in 44 states and eight countries and is revered by many as a fascinating, genuine, honest, passionate, respected and inspirational leader.

Not only is Dr. Sweere a professor at Northwestern, he is also the founder, current president and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Chiropractic Occupational Health Consultants (IACOHC); a former president for the Minnesota Chiropractic Association (MCA); and the chairman of the Department of Occupational Health at Northwestern. He is also a co-chair of the University's “Imagine Our Future” Capital Campaign.

“You just can’t imagine what this means to me,” Dr Sweere said during the awards presentation. “I’d like very much to thank our students who give purpose and meaning to my life; I so enjoy watching them proceed with passion and purpose and pride. That’s the fun of being a teacher at Northwestern.”

Also during the awards ceremony, President Mark Zeigler, DC, reminisced about time spent with Dr. Sweere as they work on advancing the capital campaign, the public phase of which was launched at last year’s gala. 

“This past year has been a wonderful opportunity for me to get to know Dr. Joe,” Dr. Zeigler told the crowd. “He would sit in my office and strategize about how to make Northwestern the best.”

It was apparent that building meaningful relationships, whether with his family, colleagues or friends, is what makes Dr. Sweere such a genuine, passionate and successful person.

Dr. Sweere said he has dedicated his life to the practice of chiropractic and teaching because of his desire to help relieve the unnecessary amount of human suffering in the world. He said he believes others feel similarly, and share a passion for healing.

 “Life is not a solo, and I think we’re reminded that the best things in life are not things,” Dr. Sweere said.

Next year’s gala is expected to take place in November 2008.

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