Drs. Thom & Betty Gelardi Student Center opens on Sherman College campus

Sherman College Founder Dr. Thom Gelardi and President Dr. Edwin Cordero at the newly completed Gelardi Student Center at Sherman College of Chiropractic

Sherman College of Chiropractic celebrated its commitment to Spartanburg and to principled chiropractic education during the opening of the Thom and Betty Gelardi Student Center February 8 on the college’s 80-acre campus in Spartanburg, SC. About 600 guests attended, with many college alumni and supporters watching via livestream on the college’s Facebook page.

The Gelardi Student Center underscores Sherman College’s focus on student success and includes a library, bookstore, campus café, large meeting spaces, student study suites, lounge areas and more. The facility will serve as the new campus gateway and arrival point for Sherman College and is the newest physical addition to the Sherman College campus since 2000.

Aside from its clear purpose of serving Sherman College students, the Gelardi Student Center is also designed to serve the local community. “This facility strengthens Sherman College’s commitment to serving humanity and reinforces our commitment to Spartanburg,” explained Sherman College President Edwin Cordero, D.C. “Serving others is a key component of our mission, and we are committed to becoming an even stronger positive force in our community.”

The Gelardi Student Center is just one aspect of the college’s campus master plan, which represents a $21 million investment for Spartanburg. Aside from this significant economic impact, the center’s event space will be available for community use. The college will begin taking reservations beginning this fall for events to be held in 2020 and beyond. The meeting facility can be broken down into three separate meeting spaces or used as one large event space with a total capacity of 650 if set up with auditorium-style seating.

During the ceremony, Dr. Cordero shared Sherman College’s commitment to serving Spartanburg by providing quality, affordable chiropractic care to Upstate residents and free services to those who are underserved or in financial need. In addition, Sherman College students and employees support many local organizations and nonprofits through volunteerism and board leadership. The college makes a significant economic impact on the Spartanburg community by employing about 100 area residents and attracting more than 400 students from 41 states and 20 countries.

The Gelardi Student Center is named in honor of Dr. Thom Gelardi, who founded Sherman College in 1973, and his wife, Dr. Betty Gelardi, a member of the college’s first graduating class. Dr. Thom Gelardi spoke during the ceremony of the commitment of students throughout the college’s history. “The success of Sherman College’s many events and undertakings was – and still is – due to students volunteering many hours of service and time to the college and its mission,” he shared. “It is indeed a great honor, then, to have our names on this building – a building with a goal of serving the students of Sherman College, the future of the chiropractic profession.”

Sherman College broke ground the 22,000-square foot facility in November 2017, sparking transformational change on campus and beginning the next phase of its campus master plan and ongoing capital campaign. In addition to the construction of the Gelardi Student Center, Sherman College’s ambitious campus master plan has included a complete renovation of Scallon Hall, the college’s main classroom building, and a renovation of the Olsen Building, which houses executive offices. A labyrinth was also added to campus.

Ongoing and future plans include updates to the Chiropractic Health Center, which serves 35,000 patient visits each year to residents of the Upstate, and further enhancing the campus plaza and campus drive to welcome visitors, open up green spaces, and showcase the college’s 80-acre campus.

Sherman College has doubled its enrollment since 2013 under Dr. Cordero’s leadership, and anticipates continued growth over the next decade. As one of just 18 chiropractic colleges in the nation and the only one in the Carolinas, Sherman College’s doctor of chiropractic program is unique in its approach to health care and known globally for producing doctors who are highly skilled in their delivery of care.

Dr. Cordero said the college’s expansion plan is designed to meet the demand for skilled, passionate and successful doctors of chiropractic as the profession continues to grow, with increasing numbers of consumers seeking less invasive and more proactive approaches for healthcare.

Sherman College announced its strategic plans for the college in 2017, including the engagement of planning and program management firm Brailsford & Dunlavey to guide the institution’s master planning process. Partners on the Gelardi Student Center included construction firm Harper Corporation and architects at Lord Aeck Sargent.