Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Alumni Board Spotlight - Bolden Harris '01


Major/Minors: Biology

Family Information: Girlfriend Emily and her son, Dominique

Work Information: Chiropractor at Four Points Family Chiropractic

About me: I can't believe 10 years have gone by so quickly, and I really do miss Wartburg. Considering I hail from Texas, I never thought I would say I miss Iowa, but Wartburg has a special place in my heart. I have been honored to serve on the Wartburg Alumni Board and on the extension faculty for Palmer College of Chiropractic, and I have stayed active in my community. After graduating from Wartburg, I attended Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa, where I graduated as valedictorian of my class, served as Student Council president, was a graduate teaching assistant and also worked as an intern for two years through the prestigious Troxell Intern Program. Upon graduating, I opened my own practice in Arlington, Texas, then sold it three years later to help take care of my ailing father. I have since relocated to beautiful Austin, Texas, and have never been happier. I have been fortunate to work with the University of Texas at Arlington, discussing the benefits of chiropractic for ADD/ADHD children with the College of Social Work and serving as team chiropractor for the club football team. I also served as the team doctor for the 2006 NWCA Wrestling Tournament, which featured Wartburg's own Blake Gillis. I enjoy public speaking and have had the opportunity to speak regularly at Camp LT alongside future hall of fame NFL running back, Ladainian Tomlinson. I have also been fairly involved in politics over the last few years. I was elected to serve as a national delegate for Barack Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, where I met First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebilius and Iowa's District 1 House Representative Bruce Braley. Since then, I have served as a Texas state delegate and have been working on resolutions to better incorporate chiropractic with the new health care law. I love to travel and recently returned from a chiropractic mission trip to India. I have also traveled to Brazil and Nicaragua in past years to serve the less fortunate. I plan to open my own practice again and to run for political office to continue working on healthcare legislation.

Favorite Wartburg Memory:
One of my fondest memories is visiting Germany with the Wartburg football team, seeing the Wartburg Castle and playing in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

What do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy reading, writing, traveling, rock climbing, watching football, politics and most of all, helping others.

What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools?
The campus has always been beautiful, the education has consistently been topnotch, but I think what sets Wartburg apart is that it feels like a family. I live close to the University of Texas, which has tens of thousands of students who get lost in the shuffle. Wartburg is different, because I'm always amazed that I can come back five or 10 years later and the faculty still remember me. It makes me feel like I was important and not just a number. The funny name and bright orange colors also create a lifelong bond with other Wartburgers.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg?
My favorite thing about Wartburg is that the college is always focused on the future and provides an environment that is welcoming to a diverse array of students. Being a minority and not a native Iowan, I found Wartburg still made me feel right at home.

What does "Being Orange" mean to you?
Being Orange to me means standing out in the crowd by being the best you can be, being a leader, an innovator and being a part of something bigger than yourself, the Wartburg family.