Palmer celebrates $3M gift, renamed learning center

Dr. William Kiernan greets the crowd outside the newly named William J. & Mary A. Kiernan Hall - Anatomy & Technique Center on the Palmer College of Chiropractic campus in Davenport. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON

Palmer College of Chiropractic is celebrating a historic gift, and an updated, renamed learning center on its campus.

The new Experiential Learning Center has been renamed the William J. & Mary A. Kiernan Hall – Anatomy & Technique Center in honor of Dr. William Kiernan and his late wife Mary for their $3 million gift to Palmer College. That center is located on the Palmer campus near the intersection of Main and Eighth streets near downtown Davenport.

About 100 members of the Palmer community gathered Wednesday morning, May 31, for a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renamed building. The gathering was also to celebrate the $3 million donation, the largest gift from a living alumnus in the school’s 126-year history, and to honor Dr. Kiernan, who graduated from Palmer in 1951.

Dr. William Kiernan, left, and Palmer College Chancellor and CEO Dennis Marchiori attend a dedication ceremony. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON

“Thank you for your tremendous support and all you bring to Palmer College. … You have helped create a fantastic place,” said Palmer College Chancellor and CEO Dennis Marchiori.

Dr. Marchiori added that the $3 million gift helps support the remodeling of the building, and ultimately helps better prepare Palmer students to help patients around the world.

The anatomy and technique courses taught in the building sit at the heart of Palmer’s  curriculum, where students learn the hands-on technique fundamental to a successful career as a doctor of chiropractic. The new space features five technique labs and four anatomy labs, and allows students to move seamlessly between  Palmer’s anatomy classrooms, according to information from Palmer College.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is held for the newly named William J. & Mary A. Kiernan Hall – Anatomy & Technique Center. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON

The newly renovated building opened in March 2022.

But much of Wednesday’s brief ceremony was dedicated to honoring Dr. Kiernan for his gifts and support of Palmer over the years. His  financial support has topped $4 million over the years, and just last week, he donated another $300,000 to help a scholarship fund, Dr. Marchiori said.

In addition to Palmer leaders, students also praised Dr. Kiernan. Jacob Kwast of Grand Rapids, Michigan, said Dr. Kiernan gifts will ultimately help improve the lives of millions of people by helping students become better chiropractic professionals.

Dr. Kiernan attended the ceremony and during a brief speech urged students to learn all they can at Palmer and to pay attention to their instructors. But more of his views were expressed during a short video interview that was shown during the ceremony.

“Palmer College is important to me because Palmer College has been my life,” said Dr. Kiernan in the video. “I’ve spent 75 years in chiropractic. I see the evolution and growth of chiropractic and we have to keep that going. The only way to do this is through good educational programs and the development of the student.” 

Attendees watch a video of Dr. William Kiernan on Wednesday during a dedication ceremony on the Palmer campus. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON

For his leadership and service to the profession and to his alma mater, Dr. Kiernan and his late wife, Mary, both were inducted as Fellows in the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic in 2019. 

The $3 million gift moves Palmer one step closer to reaching its goal of raising $25 million through “Daring and Driven,” the largest fundraising campaign ever undertaken by a chiropractic college anywhere in the world. To date, $24.8 million has been raised. 

 “Through this gift to Palmer College, Dr. Kiernan will leave a legacy that will impact Palmer students and their future patients for generations to come,” said Barbara Melbourne, vice chancellor for institutional advancement. 

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