Davenport, Iowa – The student union at Palmer College of Chiropractic, a central hub for student activity and interaction, will soon be reimagined thanks to a $1 million gift from Bruce C. Hagen, D.C. and his wife Bethel M. Hagen. The future Hagen Student Union will be a welcoming, modern space where students, faculty, staff and alumni will gather for years to come.
In honor of their generosity, Palmer College is naming the student union the Bruce and Bethel Hagen Student Union. A dedication ceremony will be held on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 11:30 a.m., outside the Campus Center, during Palmer’s Homecoming weekend in Davenport, Iowa.
Dr. Hagen, a 1953 graduate of Palmer’s main campus, made the decision to become a chiropractor to serve others, as he had done with the United States Air Force during World War II. Originally from Wisconsin, Dr. and Mrs. Hagen made their home in Sioux Falls, S.D. after graduation. There they raised two daughters and four sons while maintaining a successful practice. Three of their sons went on to become Palmer-graduate chiropractors and their grandson is currently attending Palmer’s main campus.
“We’re grateful to Dr. Hagen and his wife for this incredibly generous gift that will help Palmer continue to deliver a leading educational experience for future chiropractors,” said Dennis Marchiori, D.C., Ph.D., chancellor and CEO, Palmer College of Chiropractic. “This gift will play a vital role in plans to enhance and modernize our campus.”
“The sign on the east side of B.J. Palmer Hall at the main campus says, ‘Enter to learn how’ and as you exit it says, ‘go forth to serve’ and I’ve never forgotten that,” said Dr. Hagen. “I hope this will encourage others to give to the College, because we ought to do something above and beyond to make it possible for students to have a better education.”
Palmer is focused on student success and has additional capital improvement projects planned over the next five years that will help ensure Palmer graduates continue to change lives as successful chiropractors all over the world.
More than 900 students are enrolled at Palmer’s main campus, and with planned campus enhancement projects the College estimates that enrollment will increase to 1,200 students in the coming years.