Compassion and humanism in action: The ATSU community gathers for 2024 Founder’s Day celebration
Posted: April 8, 2025
The annual Founder’s Day events transform ATSU’s campuses into celebrations of community, tradition, and the unwavering spirit of students, alumni, faculty, and staff. This year, the home of osteopathic medicine honored the legacy of its founder, A.T. Still, DO, while showing appreciation for the University community carrying the legacy forward. The multiweek event was filled with connection, camaraderie, and even some friendly competition. As alumni reunited with classmates and students joined in time-honored activities, Founder’s Day proved once again why it’s a cornerstone of the University’s culture.
To kick off the celebration on Thursday, Oct. 17, Margaret Wilson, DO, ’82, dean of ATSU’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM), welcomed guests to the annual Fred C. Tinning, PhD, DOEd (hon.), ’14, Founder’s Day Osteopathy Lecture, delivered by Richard W. Koss, DO, C-SPOMM, ACOFP, ’82. Dr. Wilson thanked all in attendance who came from around the world to join in the festivities.
“Osteopathic medicine is growing by leaps and bounds, and there’s a reason for that,” Dr. Wilson said. “It’s because of the quality and the success of our grads and many others that have served the needs of patients across our country and across the world.”
Dr. Wilson also paused for a moment of silence in remembrance of Flight 5966. 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of the crash that claimed the lives of 13 people traveling to Kirksville, Missouri, six of whom were part of ATSU-KCOM’s regional clinical teams. The two crash survivors were John Krogh, PhD, and Wendy Bonham, who were part of ATSU-KCOM’s Utah team.
“Today, we want to remember those who lost their lives and those who survived and have lived with the tragedy,” Dr. Wilson said. “As we remember them, just remember what they were coming here to celebrate: compassion and humanism in medicine, and let’s carry that on into the future.”
Compassion and humanism are inherent qualities of ATSU students and graduates, and these qualities were on full display throughout the Founder’s Day celebration. From the Tinning lecture and alumni reunions to Still-A-Bration and the women’s flag football games, the ATSU community rekindled old friendships, made new memories, and showed their support for the University’s enduring mission.
Women’s flag football games
Arizona campus (main photo): Throughout the week, teams on the Mesa, Arizona, campus competed for the flag football title. The championship game was held between Occupational Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology (OT/SLP/AUD) and Physician Assistant Studies (PA). In a dramatic finish, OT/SLP/AUD made a pick six in overtime to win the game with a final score of 12-6. The OT/SLP/AUD team also won the spirit stick for the second consecutive year.
Missouri campus (above): First- and second-year students from ATSU’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health battled for the title and bragging rights during the annual flag football game held on the field behind the Thompson Campus Center. The second-year students triumphed over the first-year students, 28-6.
Reunion Banquet and Alumni Recognition Ceremony
Gold Medallion members from the class of 1974 celebrated their 50th anniversary. Members in attendance were (front row, left to right) Jean Bitza, spouse of the late Ronald J. Bitza, DO; Hugh Schuetz, DO; James Thomson, DO; Raymond Easley, DO; (back row, left to right) John Sparks, DO; James Suchsland, DO; Jack Roseberry, DO; David Hull, DO; and James Keith, DO.
ATSU-College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS) luncheon
A special luncheon was held for alumni, faculty, staff, and students on the Missouri campus to celebrate all ATSU-CGHS graduates and honor the Missouri Public Health Workforce grant recipients.
Founder’s Day 5k run/1.25-mile walk
With runners from multiple campuses, Arselia Gales, content editor, communication & marketing, Arizona campus, took first place in the women’s 30-39 age division.
Still-A-Bration
Following the women’s flag football game, the University joined for fun, food, and activities at the Thompson Campus Center. The evening included food trucks and catered dinner, live music, and a bonfire with s’mores.