New endowed fund will build long-term, non-loan scholarship support for future chiropractic students.
DALLAS, Texas [September 29, 2026] — Parker University has been awarded a $500,000 matching grant from the Dr. William M. Harris Grant for Chiropractic Advancement. With Parker University providing an equal match, the commitment will create a $1 million endowed scholarship fund for students pursuing the Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
The grant and Parker’s matching contribution will each provide $100,000 annually for five years.
The award comes as graduate and professional student financing continues to change. Federal changes effective July 1, 2026, eliminated Graduate PLUS loans for new graduate and professional student borrowers and established new federal borrowing limits. Historically, more than half of Parker’s Doctor of Chiropractic students have relied on Graduate PLUS loans to help meet their total cost of attendance, including living expenses.
The Dr. William M. Harris Endowed Scholarship for Chiropractic Access and Advancement will expand permanent, non-loan assistance for chiropractic students. The fund will prioritize students with demonstrated financial need, including those from first-generation and rural backgrounds and those with unmet costs after federal financial aid.
“Permanent scholarship support is essential to preserving access for students who are called to serve through chiropractic care, especially as federal financing for graduate and professional education continues to change,” said Dr. Gery Hochanadel, Interim President of Parker University.
The grant honors Dr. William M. Harris, whose philanthropy emphasized matching gifts to multiply their impact.
“Dr. Harris believed deeply in strengthening chiropractic education through philanthropy and shared investment,” said Dr. Oliver “Bud” Smith, Chair of the Parker University Board of Trustees. “This endowed scholarship honors that legacy while reflecting Parker’s commitment to educational access.”
As an endowed fund, its principal will be invested to provide an enduring source of scholarship support for future generations of Parker chiropractic students.
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Funding acknowledgment: This project is funded by a grant from the Dr. William M. Harris Grant for Chiropractic Advancement, advised by the Dr. William M. Harris Grant Fund Advisors and administered through Cobb Community Foundation, with matching support from Parker University.
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About Parker University
Parker University, located in Dallas, Texas, is a private, nonprofit university dedicated to healthcare education, research, and service. Founded on the legacy of Dr. James William Parker, the University offers more than 30 academic programs and remains rooted in its commitment to chiropractic education, student success, and preparing healthcare professionals to serve their communities.
About the Dr. William M. Harris Grant for Chiropractic Advancement
The Dr. William M. Harris Grant for Chiropractic Advancement supports charitable causes that advance chiropractic education, research, and business management. Dr. William M. Harris devoted his career to providing, promoting, and strengthening chiropractic care and education, and his legacy continues through philanthropic investment in the future of the profession.
