bodywork pioneer, Dr. Erik Dalton, makes a gift of $280,000 for students scholarships
Erik Dalton, an affiliate faculty member at the Department of Applied Medicine and Rehabilitation, and founder of the Freedom From Pain Institute in Oklahoma City, made a gift of $280,000 toward scholarships for students in Indiana State University’s Massage Therapy Program.
Dalton made a gift from his estate and a multi-year pledge to support his existing endowment, the Erik Dalton Myoskeletal Massage Therapy Endowed Scholarship, to which Dalton has already contributed $46,000.
“I am so grateful for Erik Dalton’s commitment to our massage therapy students,” said Dr. Caroline Mallory, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services. “Mr. Dalton’s generous gift will ensure that Indiana State University students prepared as massage therapists will contribute to human wellness and the reduction of suffering. In making this gift, Mr. Dalton, who is renowned internationally for his expertise in and promotion of therapeutic massage, can be confident in our students, faculty, and massage therapy education.”
Dalton is a recognized pioneer in the bodywork community. He owns and directs the Freedom From Pain Institute, which offers continuing education and certifications in myoskeletal alignment techniques (MAT) for massage and manual therapists, bodyworkers, sports and physical therapists. His writing and highly educational courses earned him induction into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame in 2007 and the One Concept Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. All of his workshops and home-study courses are recognized by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
In 2012, ISU became the first major university in the U.S. to offer Dalton’s Advanced Myoskeletal Massage Therapy program in its Massage Therapy Minor. “The successful collaboration between Indiana State University and my Freedom From Pain Institute began a decade ago and I’m honored that the partnership has blossomed into such a sought after minor degree program,” said Dalton. “I’m delighted to be financing an ongoing educational scholarship for students who excel in the program taught by Charlie Peebles!”
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