Life names chief

MARIETTA ã Life University reached outside the chiropractic 
profession Tuesday and hired a new President 
11/20/02

Phillip Giltman
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer
 
MARIETTA ã Life University reached outside the chiropractic 
profession Tuesday and hired a new president who touts himself as 
an expert in crisis management.
The Board of Trustees picked Dr. Ben C. DeSpain, 63, dean of the 
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at the University of 
Tennessee at Martin, as Life¼s second president.
„I decided to take this role as president because I happen to think 
I¼ve been blessed with skills to work through extremely challenging 
and difficult crisis environments,¾ he said Tuesday at the Marietta 
Conference Center and Resort. „I love that challenge, I get calmer 
as the fire gets hotter and I know I¼m a better leader when the 
stakes are high.¾
DeSpain will serve as Life¼s first leader to lack a doctor of 
chiropractic degree. Both Life¼s founder and first president, Dr. Sid 
Williams, and the school¼s interim president Dr. Michael Schmidt held 
chiropractic degrees. 
Life University was stripped of its chiropractic accreditation on June 
10, and a three-member panel from the Council on Chiropractic 
Education denied an appeal on Oct. 20 to lift the revocation. Despite 
Life¼s loss, DeSpain said he felt confident accreditation would be 
restored.
„I¼m convinced the (Board of Trustees) is ready to move forward, 
and I¼m ready to lead them,¾ he said. „We will be at a point where 
we can rebuild our accreditation within months, and as the years go 
by, we will re-establish Life¼s chiropractic program as the premier 
program in preparation for chiropractors.¾
Life spokesman Will Hurst said DeSpain will be introduced to the 
students on Friday but will not replace Schmidt until early January.
DeSpain said he has been following the events that have transpired 
at Life over the last six months and listed restoring accreditation, 
rebuilding enrollment and marketing the current programs offered at 
Life as his top three priorities.
„Losing accreditation is a sad chapter in the life of any university, 
especially one with such a prestigious legacy such as Life 
University,¾ he said. „It¼s unfortunate, but we have to repair the 
damages and move on to bigger and better things.¾
As of Oct. 30, Life¼s enrollment in the chiropractic program had 
dropped to 865 students, down from 2,500 two years ago. 
„As student enrollment goes down, we will have to make some 
modifications and adjustments,¾ he said. „I¼m optimistic that we will 
be able to provide enough answers to the students who are 
already enrolled in the program, and I think long before they get to 
the end of the program, we will have accreditation reestablished.¾
Life students are required to take at least 14 quarters to earn a 
doctor of chiropractic degree and even those students currently 
enrolled in the program are taking unaccredited courses. Life 
officials said the courses will be accredited retroactively once the 
school¼s chiropractic accreditation is restored, according to Schmidt. 
Schmidt said Life should receive its chiropractic accreditation by next 
December.
With the lack of confidence floating around Life¼s hallways, DeSpain 
said restoring trust among Life¼s faculty and students is another top 
priority.
„We have to restore confidence in the institution, and we do that by 
meeting with people and doing and being what we say we are 
going to do and be,¾ he said.
DeSpain, without going into specifics about the CCE¼s decision, said 
he has had brief discussions with CCE members and received a 
„willingness¾ on the part of the personnel to work with Life officials 
to assure accreditation is restored.
„It would not be prudent of me to discuss the CCE¼s decision, but 
what is significant is what we do now,¾ he said. „Pointing figures 
and blaming people is not productive. It¼s over, it¼s done and now 
we must move forward.¾
Trustee Dr. Thomas Klapp said Tuesday that DeSpain filled the 
characteristics of the president they were seeking.
„He looked like someone who was an expert in crisis management,¾ 
he said. „He has a great vision for this school and we are happy to 
have him.¾
Trustee Chairman Dr. Chuck Ribley shared similar sentiments.
„We feel excited about our new addition and he brings us the 
credentials we need to help us move forward to regain 
accreditation,¾ he said.
DeSpain has worked as a professor of educational studies, 
department chair of educational administration and counseling, 
associate professor of educational leadership and a public school 
superintendent. 
DeSpain states on his curriculum vitae that he had been recognized 
nationally for critical assessments, resolution of crises, and 
statewide reform initiatives.
DeSpain also participated as a member of the Southern Association 
of Colleges and Schools accreditation team, according to his 
resume. Life is also under fire from SACS which gave the school a 
warning sanction last December. SACS accredits the entire 
university and will decide next month on future action against the 
school.
pgiltman@mdjonline.com