Alumni Share Stories and Memories at Founder’s Day Celebration
Posted on June 11, 2009
Alumni of Northwestern Health Sciences University gathered on campus the evening of June 2, 2009, to celebrate Founder’s Day. The event was suggested by the University’s new provost, Mike Wiles, DC, and organized by John Wolfe, DC, JD, the University’s compliance officer, along with the office of alumni, development and career services. Dr. Wolfe’s father, John B. Wolfe, DC, founded Northwestern College of Chiropractic in 1941 and served as its president for 43 years.
Dr. Wolfe presented a multi-media biographical program about his father and the founding, and the early days of the college. The presentation included several historical photos and a group of alumni spent part of the evening helping to identify the era, location and people in the photos.
Alumni who attended the University in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s when it was Northwestern College of Chiropractic were asked to share their recollections and anecdotes, and bring along any Northwestern memorabilia.
Ed Sweere, DC, class of ’65, brought an X-ray technique chart, circa 1940, that was left behind with the X-ray machine in the practice he purchased. The calculations for full-spine images were written in pencil and pasted onto a corner of the chart. Joe Sweere, DC, class of ’60, donated his freshman fraternity beanie. Victor Marty, DC, class of ’50, brought an extensive collection of documents including his composite graduation photo. Richard Greene, DC, class of ’65, also brought a composite graduation photo and many other personal photos. D. T. Nelson, DC, class of ’51, donated a felt patch from a ‘50s-era NWCC softball team. Earl Jacot, DC, class of '52, also brought a composite graduation photo and several other documents.
Dr. Wolfe is assisting in the process of documenting the history of the institution, with the hopes that new information can be added to the work of former president John Allenburg, DC, who has been writing a history of the institution, expanding on the work of NWCC alumnus David Hinz, DC, class of ’87, who published a brief history of NWCC in 1987. Eventually, a history of the University in book form will be published.
In addition, permanent displays of historical documents, photos and artifacts will be installed in lighted, protected display cases in the hallway leading to the new Greenawalt Library. This hallway will then be known as the Hall of Legacy, to complement the current Hall of Honor.
“There’s really no time to lose,” said Dr. Wolfe, “in gathering this information first-hand from the alumni and faculty who were there. It was gratifying to see the turnout and the items donated. We will continue to gather information and items to document our history decade by decade.”