Life University was founded as a chiropractic college in 1974 and launched in 1975 with a first class of 22 students. Fifteen years later it had become the largest educational institution serving the chiropractic profession, with many thousands of graduates.
Driving this growth and progress was the clear vision of Dr. Sid E. Williams and a small group of dedicated colleagues determined to create a school that exemplified the vitalistic philosophy of chiropractic. Today, under the leadership of President Guy F. Riekeman and a fully committed Board of Trustees, the original vision of Life University is sustained in its chiropractic, undergraduate, and masters programs, which set the standard of excellence in contemporary health care education.
Life University’s 90-acre campus in Marietta, Ga., the largest and arguably the most beautiful and best equipped in the profession, also has a rich history. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it was once part of the "Gold Region" of the state occupied by the Cherokee Indians.
Known for many years as the old Sewell Mill property, after the Cherokees were forced to Oklahoma on the infamous "Trail of Tears," the site eventually was acquired as waterpower source by the Marietta Paper Manufacturing Co. (established in 1859). It was on the present site of Life University that most of the paper used by the South for banknotes, bonds and currency during the Civil War was produced.
The old mill site still exists and features a working stone mill that produces those time-honored Southern staples, yellow grits and corn meal. The Life University student center is housed in the turn-of-the century structure that housed the water works office. The center looks out on a large duck pond that was one of the three basin reservoirs of the water works.
Today this historic site is a beautiful campus, replete with a stadium, gymnasium and running track, among other facilities and amenities. It produces more than grits and paper. It graduates Doctors of Chiropractic and other professionals, dedicated to improving the health of humanity.
