By Sue Moore
Christopher Wise, a 2008 Schoolcraft High School graduate can now put the word “Doctor” in front of his name, having completed graduate studies in physical therapy at Grand Valley State University last spring.
“He came to this profession because he truly likes to help people,” said his father, John Wise. “He volunteered at a camp for disabled kids in the Upper Peninsula some years ago and found his life work. He knew right away that helping people improve their health was his calling.”
Dr. Wise did his undergraduate work at the University of Utah in health sciences then was accepted into the masters and doctoral degree programs at GVSU. He was selected for the Graduate Dean’s Citation for Academic Excellence for Service to the Community or Profession in the Winter 2016 semester. This is an honor given by Grand Valley State University to graduate students who have been nominated by the faculty for outstanding academic performance.
He has stuck to his studies although he loves to mountain bike, is a member of the ski patrol and ran a marathon while in Venice, Italy, his grandmother, Madeline Watkins of Schoolcraft, proudly proclaimed. Wise participated in varsity baseball and cross country during his high school years at Schoolcraft. He now lives in Grand Rapids and accepted a job right after graduation at Mary Free Bed Hospital as a physical therapist.