“Today’s the realization of a dream. It’s fitting we dedicate the R. Richard Bittner Athletic & Recreation Center on September 18 – Founder’s Day – the day we recognize the first chiropractic adjustment in 1895 here in Davenport, Iowa, by D.D. Palmer–the discoverer of chiropractic and founder of Palmer College of Chiropractic,” said Chancellor and CEO Dennis Marchiori, D.C., Ph.D., on Monday.
The Bittner Center was filled with students, faculty, staff and guests during the dedication. Eight Palmer Board of Trustees members and two Quad Cities mayors ( Davenport Mayor Frank Klipsch and Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms) were also in attendance, as well as Mr. R. Richard Bittner and family members.
“This newly renovated building carries the name of one of the most stalwart supporters of Palmer College of Chiropractic in the Quad Cities,” said Dr. Marchiori. “R. Richard (Dick) Bittner has stood behind Palmer time and time again through the decades. And it’s for his unwavering support and his unfailing generosity that this new and improved facility will forever bear his name.”
Mr. Bittner is a fellow in the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic and holds an Honorary Degree of Chiropractic Humanities from Palmer.
A number of people and organizations donated at generous levels in which to have their names associated with specific spaces. Five other ribbon-cuttings were held to commemorate them. Included were the Curzie Family Virtual Fitness Room, the Dr. Charles Keller elevator system, the Estes Construction free-weight area, the Drs. Donna and Paul VanDuyne jogging track, and the Dr. Ross V. Stokes basketball courts.
Attendees were invited to take a tour of the facility and sign guest books that will be placed in the new time capsule, which will be sealed and join the original time capsule from the Alumni Auditorium.
Learn more about the Bittner Center at www.palmer.edu/bittner-center/
