Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College of Louisiana
Name	Centenary College of Louisiana
Established	0 1825
Type	Private liberal arts college
Religious affiliation	United Methodist Church
Endowment	$137.4 million (2020)
President	Christopher L. Holoman
City	Shreveport
State	Louisiana
Country	United States
Campus	Urban, 117 acres
Students	449 (Fall 2022)
Faculty	65
Athletics nickname	Gentlemen and Ladies
Affiliations	Annapolis Group, Associated Colleges of the South

Centenary College of Louisiana is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church and located in Shreveport, Louisiana. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and a member of the Associated Colleges of the South. The college is known for its rigorous academic programs, historic campus, and unique status as the only NCAA Division III institution in Louisiana.

History

The institution was originally founded in 1825 in Jackson, Louisiana, under a charter granted by the Louisiana State Legislature and with the support of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It moved to Clinton in 1840 and then to its current location in Shreveport in 1908, following a generous land donation from the Caddo Parish Police Jury. The college's early history was marked by closures during the American Civil War and the Reconstruction era. A significant milestone was the 1927 construction of its iconic Magale Library and the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, funded by prominent donors like John G. Magale. Throughout the 20th century, it evolved from a small academy into a modern liberal arts college, navigating challenges such as the Great Depression and expanding its curriculum.

Academics

The college offers over 40 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs through its divisions of Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. It operates on a 4-1-4 academic calendar and is particularly recognized for its programs in biology, chemistry, drama, and music. The Frost School of Business provides accredited business degrees, while strong pre-professional tracks prepare students for fields like medicine, law, and engineering. The college maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio, emphasizing undergraduate research, with many students presenting at national conferences like those of the American Chemical Society. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and holds membership in the Annapolis Group.

Campus

The 117-acre campus is located in the Broadmoor neighborhood of Shreveport and features a mix of Colonial Revival and modern buildings. The core historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Key facilities include the Magale Library, the Mickey and Cile Hudspeth Regional Arts Center, the Gold Dome (a multi-purpose arena), and the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse. The Hurst Hall administration building and the Kilpatrick Auditorium are central landmarks. The campus also houses the Meadows Museum of Art, which contains a significant collection of Spanish art, and the Cline Observatory.

Student life

Student life is governed by the Student Government Association and features over 50 clubs and organizations, including national fraternities and sororities like Phi Mu and Kappa Alpha Order. A strong tradition is the Campus Programming Board, which organizes events throughout the year. The college's United Methodist Church affiliation supports various community service and religious life initiatives. Major annual events include Homecoming, the Greek Week competition, and performances by the Centenary Choir and Centenary Symphony Orchestra. Most students live on campus in residence halls such as James Hall and Moore Hall.

Athletics

The college's athletic teams, known as the Gentlemen and Ladies, compete in NCAA Division III as members of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). It fields teams in sports including basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, and swimming. The college has a notable athletic history, having previously competed in NCAA Division I as a member of the Trans America Athletic Conference and briefly in the Mid-Continent Conference. Its home games are played in the Gold Dome and Shehee Stadium, named for former state senator W. E. "Buddy" Shehee.

Notable alumni

Notable alumni include former United States Senator from Louisiana John H. Overton; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Washington Post editor J. R. Wiggins; renowned geologist and petroleum executive John M. Hills; Tony Award-nominated actress Beth Leavel; and former Major League Baseball player and Chicago Cubs scout Rogers Hornsby. Other distinguished graduates are federal judge Tom Stagg of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, and NASA engineer Jerry Woodfill, known for his work on the Apollo program.

Category:Liberal arts colleges in Louisiana Category:Universities and colleges affiliated with the United Methodist Church Category:Educational institutions established in 1825