The Thom and Betty Gelardi Service Award is a high honor presented at the discretion of the president and was last given nearly a decade ago. This award was created to honor the Gelardis (who founded the college) and recipients who are deemed to have the same qualities as the couple; it is given to recognize unselfish dedication, visionary leadership and pioneering spirit.
Dr. Gordon Brown is a 1942 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic who practiced in Louisville, Kentucky, for two years and in Logansport, Indiana, for 19 years. He was awarded an International Chiropractors Association (ICA) Fellowship and was instrumental in getting the laws changed in Indiana to allow chiropractors to practice.
Helen McPike Brown, originally from Davenport, Iowa, is a talented artist who comes from a chiropractic family. Helen’s father, Dr. Ray McPike, an enthusiastic, early supporter of Sherman College, was chiropractor. Helen is past president of the Women’s Auxiliary of the International Chiropractors Association (WAICA).
The Browns are the founders of the Future Chiropractors of America and a nationwide back-to-school spinal check program sponsored by WAICA. Both Gordon and Helen have supported and contributed generously to Sherman College in many ways over the years. In 1993, they became members of the Board of Regents and continue to contribute yearly. In 1997, they made a generous estate commitment to the Sherman College Endowment Trust.
The Browns donated their home in Sedona, Arizona, to Sherman College in 1999, and funds from the donation were used to construct the Brown House and Museum on campus. The structure serves as an on-campus residence for the Browns, and the lower level houses a museum with the college’s historical chiropractic holdings. The Browns’ donation is the largest gift in kind in the history of the college. The Browns remain passionate and avid supporters of the college.
Sherman College named its 2013 award recipients May 23-25 as part of Lyceum, an annual continuing education and homecoming event attended by hundreds of chiropractors throughout the U.S. and internationally. Lyceum is held on the college’s campus in Spartanburg, SC, and involves three days of seminars, special events and other programs.
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