Sherman College of Chiropractic

Forty-Two Complete Doctor of Chiropractic Program at Sherman College

by Cheri Anderson-Hucks

Spartanburg, SC (06/26/2026) — Forty-two students from across the U.S. and multiple countries received the doctor of chiropractic degree from Sherman College of Chiropractic in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the college's 151st commencement ceremony, honoring graduates from the June and September 2026 classes.

"Today marks the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to a calling greater than yourselves. When you first arrived at Sherman College, you brought your dreams, determination, and a desire to make a difference. Through 14 rigorous quarters, you have developed the knowledge, clinical skills, and professional confidence necessary to serve patients with excellence and compassion," said Sherman College President Dr. Jack Bourla.

"As you cross this stage and begin your careers as doctors of chiropractic, you become part of a proud Sherman tradition that spans more than five decades and extends around the world. Whether your journey takes you to Spartanburg, your hometown, or a community halfway across the globe, you carry with you the principles, purpose, and passion that define a Sherman graduate. We are honored that you chose Sherman College to prepare you for this profession, and we look forward to the impact you will make in the lives of others. Congratulations, Class of 2026, and welcome to the chiropractic profession."

Students were recognized throughout the ceremony for academic honors, outstanding service and volunteerism, clinical excellence, and exceptional distinction in philosophy. The commencement speaker was Tim Guest, D.C., Sherman associate professor of clinical sciences, Chiropractic Center case doctor, and associate chair of clinical curriculum.

The student farewell addresses to classmates were given by Elizabeth Erin Travis for the June 2026 class and by Yelena Sokol for the September 2026 class.

The Milton W. Garfunkel Award, Sherman College's highest graduation honor, recognizes a graduating student who has achieved a minimum 3.5 GPA while exemplifying the values of chiropractic service, leadership, scholarship, and commitment to the profession. Named for Dr. Milton W. Garfunkel-a pioneering New York chiropractor, Sherman College benefactor, Board of Regents member, and champion of chiropractic education-the award honors those who embody the ideals he championed. This year's recipient, Elizabeth Erin Travis of Arizona, is a first-generation chiropractor, a consistent Dean's List student, and a dedicated campus leader. Through her service as secretary and president of the Gonstead Club, mentorship of fellow students, involvement in campus events, and community outreach, Travis has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a commitment to serving others. Following graduation, she will begin an associateship in Arizona focused on pediatric and perinatal care and looks forward to marrying her fiance, Robert Burns, a 2024 Sherman graduate, later this year.

This Academic Achievement Award is given to the individual in each graduating class who maintains the highest GPA throughout their studies at Sherman while completing almost 4,500 hours of graduate study. The recipient for the June class is Kathryn Johnson, who graduated summa cum laude with a 3.88 GPA. The recipient for the September class is Veronica Johnson, who graduated summa cum laude with a 3.99 GPA.

The Service Distinction Award is given at graduation only when a student has made substantial and notable service contributions in three key areas throughout their time at Sherman: the college, the local community, and the chiropractic profession. This award honors individuals who go above and beyond, showing a strong commitment to service and excellence at Sherman. It celebrates their dedication and influence within the academic setting and the wider community. This year's recipient is a member of the September 2026 class, Aquil Holden.

The Clinical Excellence Award honors interns' successful practices at the Sherman College Chiropractic Center, the college's on-campus center. Under the supervision of licensed doctors of chiropractic, student interns care for patients, providing more than 31,000 patient visits per year to local community members. This award is given to an intern in each class who has diligently worked to develop skills in the science, philosophy, and art of chiropractic, maintained, at a minimum, an A average throughout their internship, excelled in all phases of clinical practice from technical skills in the examination and care of patients to showing strong respect and consideration of patients, and encouraging good health practices including lifetime spinal care. The recipients have attended more than the required number of patient visits, cared for their patients with great skill and extraordinary compassion, been exemplary in their concern for patients' time, and made informing patients of valuable principles an integral part of their practice. The recipients are Elizabeth Erin Travis for the June class and Steven Anders for the September class.

The B.J. Palmer Philosophy Distinction Award is presented only when a student distinguishes themselves in scholarship, leadership, and service to represent chiropractic's philosophical base to their peers, profession and the public. Recipients demonstrate these areas by winning scholarships and by introducing others to, and helping them better understand, the underlying philosophy and principles of chiropractic, as reflected in their going beyond the curriculum and graduation requirements. Because philosophy provides a foundation that drives chiropractic science and is expressed through the art of adjustment, this award is especially significant when presented to a deserving student. The recipients of this award are, for the June class, Elizabeth Erin Travis and Alexandria Shults, and for the September class, Javier A. Canales-Diaz.

Sherman alumnus, Tim Guest, D.C., delivered the commencement address. A dedicated chiropractor, educator, and longtime advocate for the chiropractic profession, Dr. Guest has nearly four decades of service in clinical practice and chiropractic education. A graduate of Sherman College of Chiropractic, Dr. Guest earned his doctor of chiropractic degree in 1986 and later completed a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from Regents University in 2008.

Originally from Cowpens, South Carolina, where he still resides today, Dr. Guest began his chiropractic career as an associate at Sisk Chiropractic in Blacksburg, South Carolina, before opening Guest Chiropractic Center, which he owned and operated from 1991 to 2006. In addition to private practice, he has devoted much of his professional life to chiropractic education, teaching at both Sherman College of Chiropractic and Life University since 1991.

Dr. Guest is a Certified Advanced Clinical Instructor for Activator Methods and is also certified in the Thompson Technique and the Webster protocols. Throughout his career, he has supervised numerous chiropractic interns through Sherman College's extern program, helping mentor and prepare future generations of chiropractors.

A past president of the Sherman College Alumni Association, Dr. Guest remains deeply committed to advancing the chiropractic profession through education, service, and community involvement. He is an active member of the Palmetto State Chiropractic Association and the Georgia Council on Chiropractic.

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Dr. Guest is a devoted husband to his wife, Annette, proud father of two sons, and loving "Tim-Pop" to five grandchildren. He also serves his church as a lay speaker and community volunteer. His guiding philosophy is simple yet powerful: "A body without subluxation is better than a subluxated body."

The following forty-two students received the Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Sherman College at the college's 151st commencement on Saturday, June 13, 2026:

Class of June 2026 Graduates:

Indiana Batlle Pezzotti, Puerto Rico

Gabriela Colibaba, South Carolina

Alain Gilbert Andre Colnot, North Carolina (March 2026)

Reese Culpepper, Alabama

Alexandria Donato, Ohio

Kayla Duncan, Washington

Greta Ann Forstie, Minnesota

Sarina Victoria-McKee Gilliland, Virginia - magna cum laude

Rachelle Brianne Hampton, North Carolina

Kathryn M. Johnson, Massachusetts - summa cum laude

Krista Leigh Jones, North Carolina

Peter Lee, North Carolina

Morgan Taylor Kirk, Ohio

Evan Alexander Marsh, North Carolina

Tyler Aaron Martin, Virginia

Colin Nestor, Massachusetts

Felix A. Ortiz Martinez, Puerto Rico

Connor Reust, Indiana

Brendan John Ross, Pennsylvania

Alexandria Shults, New Hampshire

John Thomas Snow, South Carolina - cum laude

Elizabeth Erin Travis, Arizona - cum laude

Henry Tuttle, South Carolina

Jadaya Vines, Georgia

Orlie Shary Wharton Resto, Tennessee

Class of September 2026 Graduates:

Forrest Akers, Michigan

Steven Anders, California

Javier A. Canales-Diaz, Puerto Rico

Veronica Lacayo Carr, Nicaragua

Jane Hart Eaddy-Davis, South Carolina

Aaron Gotses, South Carolina

Alyssa Gotses, South Carolina

Aquil L. Holden, New York

Kurstin Kylee Hopkins, South Carolina

Connor Thomas James, North Carolina - cum laude

Veronica Liesl Johnson, Germany - summa cum laude

Hanna Ryan Langston, South Carolina

Rachel Smith Laplante, Virginia

Christina Ann Mead, New York

Samantha C. Russell, North Carolina

Bryleigh Brenn Schmitz, Tennessee

Yelena Valeryevna Sokol, South Carolina - magna cum laude

The doctor of chiropractic program at Sherman College requires students to complete nearly 5,000 hours (14 quarters) of classroom and laboratory study and includes an internship in the college's on-campus Chiropractic Center. To enter the D.C. program, students must have at least 90 semester hours of college-level coursework, including science courses.

Graduation photos are available for download via Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/199729886@N05/albums/72177720334253751/

Link to the graduation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z956uXJX1kw

About Sherman College of Chiropractic. Sherman College of Chiropractic provides students with a comprehensive chiropractic education, preparing them to enter the field as Doctors of Chiropractic who are highly skilled, compassionate, ethical, and successful. On an 80-acre campus in South Carolina, Sherman offers a professional degree program unique in its approach and known globally for the skill and art of chiropractic delivered by graduates. The college's Chiropractic Center provides high-quality, value-rich chiropractic care for families at every stage of life. The center is a teaching clinic for chiropractic interns in their final stage of study before graduating from the college's doctor of chiropractic program. Coordinated by licensed doctors of chiropractic, the teaching environment enables interns to practice chiropractic under close supervision and ongoing consultation. For more information, visit www.sherman.edu or call 800-849-8771.

Media Attachments

Sherman_Graduation-6-13-26-June-Class.jpg

Shown is the June 2026 graduating class of Sherman College of Chiropractic.

Sherman_Graduation-6-13-26-Sept-Class.jpg

Shown is the September 2026 graduating class of Sherman College of Chiropractic.

Sherman_Graduation-6-13-26-Grad-Speaker-Dr-Tim-Guest.jpg

Graduation speaker, Dr. Tim Guest, addresses graduates of the June and September 2026 classes.

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Accepting the Service Distinction Award is September 2026 graduate, Aquil Holden, with Sherman Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Joe Donofrio.

Elizabeth Travis receives the Milton W. Garfunkel Award from Sherman President Dr. Jack Bourla and Executive Vice President Dr. Karen Canup.

Sherman_Graduation-6-13-26-Milton_W._Garfunkel_Award-Elizabeth_Travis.jpg

Elizabeth Travis (center) receives the Milton W. Garfunkel Award, Sherman’s highest graduation award, from (left) Sherman President Dr. Jack Bourla and (right) Executive Vice President Dr. Karen Canup.