Seneca Falls, NY: On Saturday, April 4, New York Chiropractic College held commencement exercises in the Standard Process Health and Fitness Center conferring Doctor of Chiropractic degrees to 38 candidates.
The commencement address was delivered by Serge Nerli, DC (NYCC ’83) who began his remarks with a quote from Rabindranath Tagore: “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” He next quoted Albert Einstein, who said, “Man is here for the sake of other men only.” Dr. Nerli spoke of a balance between contributions and rewards, saying that by forgetting about rewards and concentrating on contributions – the time devoted to the care and treatment of patients and the degree of excellence put into it – life will take care of the rewards. “Ask yourself: ‘Am I giving all I can? Am I giving as much as I can in a cheerful helpful spirit, or am I going about daily life in an average or below average manner?’” He spoke of Antonio Stradivari, William Shakespeare, Leonardo De Vinci, and others throughout history who achieved lasting excellence that they were proud to sign their names to. Every day you will have the opportunity to do and be your best. “The question is,” he asked the graduates, “will you be willing to sign your name to your work?” Dr. Nerli then invoked the words of the Carpenter from Galilee: “He who would be the greatest among you must be the servant of all,” and, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Nerli concluded by promising them that if they choose to do their best with everyone they encounter, they will experience the joys and rewards that come with service.
A past member of NYCC’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Nerli now serves as adjunct faculty at the College’s health center in Levittown, N.Y. and at Queen’s College in New York. He was named Alumnus of the Year at NYCC and has dedicated his time and expertise through his service on the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research President’s Council, the World Chiropractic Congress, and as a delegate for the New York State Chiropractic Association. He is a Fellow of the International College of Chiropractors and a Fellow of the American College of Chiropractic, now serving as the organization’s president. Nerli holds a master’s degree in nutrition from the University of Bridgeport, is licensed to practice chiropractic in New York and Florida, and maintains a private chiropractic practice in Fresh Meadows, N.Y. He has served as team physician for the United States Volleyball Association Invitational Championships, was attending chiropractor for the New York City Marathon, and team physician for the Mobil Games Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
The Grand Marshall for the ceremony was Matthew Coté, DC, MSACN, (NYCC ’80, ’08), the faculty address was given by Gerald L. Stevens, DC (NYCC ’01), MPH, MS, and NYCC’s Student Government Association’s executive president, Bryan Kent (fifth-trimester chiropractic student) delivered the student address.
Tapped as Fellows of the American College of Chiropractors (FACC) during the exercises were Lloyd Kupferman, DC (NYCC ’85), Michelle Joan Lester, DC (NYCC ’91), John Spano, DC (NYCC ’88), and NYCC Board of Trustees member, James Powell, DC.
Pictured with NYCC President Dr. Frank J. Nicchi (far left) are Drs. John J. Spano, Michelle J. Lester, and Lloyd Kupferman, newly inducted ACC fellows; Dr. Frank S. Lizzio, NYCC trustee; and Dr. Serge Nerli, ACC president and former NYCC trustee.
For further information about New York Chiropractic College’s degree programs please visit www.nycc.edu .
