Sixty-Four Complete Doctor of Chiropractic Program at Sherman College

by Cheri Anderson-Hucks

Spartanburg, SC (12/19/2024) — Sixty-four 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, December 14, 2024, at the college's 148th commencement for December 2024 and March 2025 graduates.

"Congratulations to our most recent Sherman graduates on your Doctor of Chiropractic degrees. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence have prepared you to make a significant impact in the chiropractic profession," said Sherman President Dr. Jack Bourla. "As you embark on your professional journeys here and abroad, you carry Sherman's proud 51-year legacy with you. We are confident that you will continue to uphold the highest standards of our profession and inspire positive change in the well-being of your communities. Know that when you leave here, you are ready. You have proven yourself worthy of being doctors of chiropractic, and we could not be more proud of you. Welcome to the profession, doctors of chiropractic."

Many students were recognized throughout the ceremony for academic honors, outstanding service and volunteerism, clinical excellence, and exceptional philosophy distinction. Allie Hamstead, D.C., A.C.P., C.A.C.C.P., a respected assistant Sherman professor, delivered a heartfelt and humorous speech, sharing her favorite sayings she imparts to her four young daughters - words of wisdom that served as valuable advice for the graduating DC2Bs.

The student farewell addresses to classmates were given by Camille Coffey of New Mexico (December 2024) and Brittni McBurney of Illinois (March 2025).

Recipients of the Academic Achievement Award were Tanyaradzwa Katanda (December) of Zimbabwe, graduating summa cum laude with a 3.83 GPA, and Rebecca Sprow (March) of Virginia, graduating summa cum laude with a 3.87 GPA. This award is given to the individual in each graduating class who maintains the highest grade point average throughout his or her studies at Sherman College.

The Service Distinction Award is presented at graduation only when a student has made significant and distinguished service contributions in three key areas throughout their studies at Sherman: the college, the local community, and the chiropractic profession. This award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond and demonstrate a commitment to service and excellence at Sherman. It is a testament to their dedication and impact within the academic environment and the broader community. Camille Coffey is the award recipient for the December class, and Brittni McBurney is the award recipient for the March class.

The Clinical Excellence Award recognizes successful practices by interns in the Sherman College Chiropractic Center. The college's on-campus chiropractic center is where Sherman interns, under the supervision of licensed doctors of chiropractic, attend to their patients, providing more than 30,000 patient visits per year to local community members. This Clinical Excellence Award is given to an intern in each class who has diligently worked to develop skills in the art, science and philosophy 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 them with great skill and extraordinary compassion, have been exemplary in their concern for patients' time, and have made informing patients of valuable principles an integral part of their practice. Tyler Hawk of California (December) and Christina Howard of Washington (March) were the recipients.

The B.J. Palmer Philosophy Distinction Award is presented only when students distinguish 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 introducing and helping others better understand the underlying philosophy and principles of chiropractic, reflected by 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. Recipients of this award included Camille Coffey (December), and Lily May Boyd (March) of New York and Kayla Huntington (March) of Minnesota.

The commencement address was given by Allie Hamstead, D.C., A.C.P., C.A.C.C.P., Sherman College's Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences. A 2012 Sherman graduate, Dr. Hamstead guides students with her firsthand experiences as a Sherman student and a successful private practice owner. She inspires Sherman's students daily, both in and out of the classroom, as a passionate chiropractic advocate.

Dr. Hamstead, a Spartanburg native, graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in Arts and Sciences. With a strong commitment to aiding local families, she obtained specialized perinatal and pediatric care certifications, including Webster and C.A.C.C.P., from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Additionally, she earned the distinguished A.C.P. designation from the Sherman College Academy of Chiropractic Philosophers.

Together with her husband, Dr. Michael Hamstead, also a 2012 Sherman graduate, they own AlignLife: Chiropractic & Natural Health Center, a family practice in Simpsonville, S.C. The Hamsteads recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of their practice, where they provide a personalized approach to chiropractic care, serving patients of all ages-from infants and expectant mothers to athletes and seniors. Their gentle, targeted adjustments address each patient's unique needs, aiming to restore alignment and promote optimal health. They are dedicated to making a difference in their community through compassionate, individualized family care.

Dr. Hamstead and her husband live in Simpsonville with their four daughters: Evelyn (9), Cecilia (8), Josephine (5), and Eloise (1).

Class of December 2024 Graduates:

Brian Adams, Ohio

Matthew Tyler Amos, Virginia - magna cum laude

Celena Artis-Hampton, North Carolina

Lily Mae Boyd, New York

Devin Aaron Carr, Indiana

Camille Ross Coffey, New Mexico

Nicholas R. Collins, Washington - cum laude

Javier Antonio Cruz Ortiz, Puerto Rico - magna cum laude

Alyssa Elaine Dumont, North Carolina - magna cum laude

Chandler Riley Farrell, South Carolina

James Patrick Finnen, North Carolina

Ryan Michael Graybar, North Carolina

Tyler Hawke, California - summa cum laude

Grace Moore Jonasson, North Carolina - cum laude

Koby Jonasson, North Carolina

Tanyaradzwa "Tanya" Katanda, Zimbabwe - summa cum laude

Hector Manuel Lopez Salgueiro, Puerto Rico

Marvin Mabry, Kentucky

Ijebusomma Chinweifenu Okoye, Nigeria

Lucas W. Orr, North Carolina

Spenser Ethan Parnell, South Carolina - cum laude

Bryce Anthony Patrick, South Carolina

Lourdes Marie Ramirez Quinones, Puerto Rico

Parris Renee, South Carolina

Andruw Rollings, South Carolina

Mariah C. VanOrman, Minnesota - magna cum laude

Lana Anne Winjum, Florida - magna cum laude

Hayden Wright, South Carolina

Class of March 2025 Graduates:

August Bausewein IV, New Jersey

Trent Bell, New York

Baylee Nicole Book, Ohio - magna cum laude

Jack Tyler Brooks, South Carolina

Jake Budd, New York

Brittany May Cameron, Michigan - magna cum laude

Brent Allen Carraway, South Carolina

Brandon Randall Caughey, Ohio - cum laude

Samantha Jo Detore, Pennsylvania

Alexandra Nicole Durrieu, Panama

Rykker Dye, Idaho

Nicholas Andrew Foster, New Jersey

Evan Fraley, Tennessee - cum laude

Kara Sophia Maynard, Ohio

Joshua Harrold, South Carolina

Brandon Mitchell Hass, South Carolina

Christina Howard, Washington

Kayla Huntington, Minnesota

Irsa Khan, Pakistan

Brittni Ann McBurney, Illinois - cum laude

Kyle Joseph McCarthy, Ohio

Maria Maris McFarland, South Carolina

Karley Jean Napier, Michigan

Colin O'Leary, New York

Andrew Plank, Kansas

Whitney Player Byrd, South Carolina

Ileanette Reyes Fuentes, Puerto Rico

Carol Richard, Michigan

Mira Kamel Sharobim, South Carolina

Tara Scout Soles, South Carolina

Emma Katherine Spreckelson, Indiana - cum laude

Rebecca Sprow, Virginia - summa cum laude

Arthur Tang, Maryland

Braden Richard White, Pennsylvania

Shelby Ann Carpenter, Pennsylvania - cum laude

Photos are available for download via Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/199729886@N05/albums/72177720322618878/

View the graduation video on the college YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/NysZACfER8Q

Media Attachments