Centenary College of Louisiana President's Report and Honor Roll of Donors

2008·7.7 MB·English

by  Centenary College of Louisiana

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Centenary College of Louisiana fosters a rich
intellectual and social atmosphere. Students work
within a strong community to create personalized,
distinctive experiences. Building lives of integrity,
our students explore the unfamiliar; invent new
to understanding, and connect their
work and lives to the world at large. Centenary
students enjoy a vibrant college life and achieve
superior preparation for futures yet unimagined.
Centenary traces its founding to 1825 and is
affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Centenary is a selective liberal arts college offering undergraduate
programs and a limited number of graduate programs in the arts,
humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, which strengthen the
foundation for students’ personal lives and career goals. Students and
faculty work together to build a community focused on ethical and ^
intellectual development, respect and concern for human and spiritual
values, and the joy of creativity and discovery.
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E
vents throughout the 2007 - 2008 academic year
focused on a milestone in Centenary’s history:
the 100* anniversary of the College’s relocation to
Shreveport in 1908. Planning for this year-long celebration
culminated with kick-off events in January 2008. Activities
throughout the year have ranged from The Big Event, a
community service project; to Bricks and Mortarboards, a
stakeholder appreciation luncheon; to the Centennial Showcase, a
community-wide festival held at the Louisiana Boardwalk. Yet to come
is the Centennial Gala in November which precedes the official ending
of our Centennial Celebration at the annual Candlelight Service and
Holiday Reception in December.
We considered this landmark in our history not only a cause for
celebration but also as an opportunity for reflection. What characteristics
appear as constants throughout our history? Members of the Centenary
community met to examine that question and identified five core values
that inform our actions: community, justice, excellence, integrity, and
individual attention. We believe that these five qualities have defined
Centenary throughout its 183-year history.
Having articulated these values, we now pledge to use them to measure
the products and actions of this institution and its constituents, including
the activities and accomplishments described in this annual report.
Many thanks for the various gifts you have provided in support of them.
Sincerely,
Kenneth L. Schwab
President
CENTENARY COLLEGE OF LOUISIANA 3
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Faculty/Summer Research
' ne of the best ways to learn any discipline is by using a hands-on approach. At Centenary, students have
access to the top experts in their field, state-of-the-art equipment and the opportunity to conduct one-on-one
research projects alongside their professors.
At Centenary, junior-level students are conducting PhD-level research, which provides them the opportunity
to gain experience and develop important skills. This experience allows students to discover for themselves whether
they are interested in pursuing research and clinical work, entering the workforce, or applying to medical school after
graduation.
And most importantly, the summer research allows our undergraduates the opportunity to work directly
with a faculty mentor.. .not a teaching assistant or graduate student. The joint venture is a way for both student and
professor to work together, and learn from each other while providing students the necessary tools to succeed in
graduate studies, in business and in industry.
This year, 19 students participated in the Summer Research program. This program allows students to join with
faculty members in powerful learning experiences through research. Students have the opportunity to apply their
classroom knowledge to a specific project, while faculty benefit from the assistance of capable, motivated students.
Some of the research projects completed this summer include:
Students participating
► Matt Blanchard, a sophomore political science major, worked alongside Dr.
in this yearns summer
Thomas Ticich, Professor of Chemistry, in finding new ways to grow carbon
research projects
nano tubes in a simpler fashion. Nanotubes are 1/50,000 the size of a human
included:
hair follicle, and useful in many applications in nanotechnology, electronics,
optics, and possibly the treatment of some forms of cancer.
Jessica Miller, junior, biology
► Bradlee Robertson, a junior from Shreveport, La., worked on programming major; Rebecca McMahen,
Artificial Intelligence with Dr. Mark Goadrich, Assistant Professor of junior, biochemistry major;
Computational Mathematics, for a controller of a rescue robot. Eventually, the Danielle Crouthers, senior,
robot could be used to assist in disaster relief rescue operations. chemistry major; Donald Julien,
sophomore, biochemistry
► Julia Cornelius, a senior biophysics major; Ashley Rawson,
major, plans to attend medical school junior, chemistry major; Cara
after graduation. Working with Dr. Miccoli, junior, biochemistry
Juan Rodriguez, Chair of the Physics major; Deana Apple, senior,
Department, her research focused on neuroscience major; Marco
how to detect the presence of Nitric Rajo, junior, chemistry major;
Oxide in biological samples. Nitric Marco Reyes, sophomore,
Oxide is an important signaling physics major; Jessica Garza,
molecule in biological samples and has senior, biophysics major;
been found to be important in muscle Bradlee Robertson, junior;
relaxation, especially in the heart. The Nolan Baker, sophomore, math
results of this research could have and physics major; Jordan Day,
far reaching effects, especially in the junior; Andy Osborn, junior,
development of drugs that could help biology major; Tuan Tran,
those with heart disease. junior, biology major; Julia
Cornelius, senior, biophysics
major; George Tiller, senior,
biology major; Matt Blanchard,
sophomore, political science
major.
Bobby Jindal visit
Continuing o Tradition of Community-Based Speakers
ver the years, many dignitaries have graced the stage at Centenary. The
College has brought political candidates, and those officials already in
office, to debate and discuss their views. On October 23''‘*, Governor-elect
Bobby Jindal stopped at Centenary while touring the state to thank northwest
Louisiana and the people who voted for him. In a short speech aimed at
nonpartisanship, he encouraged all people of Louisiana to act as a team. “It
doesn’t matter what party you are from.. .the point is we are all looking for the best of Louisiana.”
The governor’s ethic reform transition team met in December at the College campus, including Board of Trustee member and
Vice Chair of the advisory council, Virginia Shehee. Centenary College President Dr. Ken Schwab, was also invited to be part of the
governor’s advisory council on education.
Hosting Cutting Edge Conferences and Speakers
entenary College continues to host popular conferences and lectures that address
diverse opinions, multiple perspectives, and today’s most significant issues. We were
able to attract prestigious speakers, all experts in their field. In the true spirit of our
Methodist heritage that has shaped the school, the College is open to varied points of
view and debate, and has provided a place for different voices to be heard. Events and
speakers held at the College during 2007-08 include:
Kingfish:The Reign of Huey R Long Philosophy Talk premise that if God does not exist, human
Discussion on the many faces of former Exploring the concept of Work life can stiU have meaning, we do have moral
Louisiana Governor, Huey R Long, Keynote speakers: Attaway Fellows and obligations and virtue is possible.
lawmaker and lawbreaker radio hosts Ken Taylor, Professor and
Keynote speaker: Dr. Richard D. White Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Interfaith Symposium on Muslim and
Jr, LSU professor and Huey P. Long Stanford University; and John Perry, Henry Christian Relations
biographer. Waldgrave Stuart Professor of Philosophy Sponsored by the Christian Leadership Center
at Stanford University. A live broadcast of Keynote speakers: Dr. Peter Huff, T.L. James
Constitutional interpretation the show, “Philosophy Talk” was aired by Associate Professor of Religious Studies at
Lecture on Constitutional Interpretation the campus radio station KSCL 91.3 EM. Centenary College; and Dr. Osvaldo Vena,
by the current U.S. Supreme Court Associate Professor of New Testament at
Keynote speaker: Dr. Lee Epstein, Henry Inside Creationism’s Trojan Horse: Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Wade Rogers Professor at Northwestern A Closer Look at Intelligent Design in Chicago. The symposium was designed
University, and a Fellow of the American Public lecture detailing the political and to increase the understanding between the
Academy of Arts and Sciences and the religious aspects of the intelligent design two faiths.
American Academy of Political and Social creationist movement
Science. Keynote speaker: Dr. Barbara Forrest, Frost School of Business
Centenary Attaway Scholar and Philosophy Speaker series
The Irresistible Revolution: Living as professor in the Department of History and Keynote speakers: Stephen Brown, Director
an Ordinary Radical Political Science at Southeastern Louisiana of Energy Economics at the Federal
Lecture on Issues of social action and University. Reserve Bank of Dallas; and David Joy,
Christian witness Chief Market Strategist and Chairman of
Keynote speaker: Philosophy Forum Capital Markets Committee, RiverSource
Shane Claiborne, Value and Virtue in a Godless Universe: Investments. Brown’s talk focused on oil
noted Christian Suppose there is no God and gas pricing and its impact on the
activist, public speaker Keynote speaker: Dr. Erik Wielenberg, economy. He also spoke to students in the
and author. Shane Associate Professor of Philosophy at DePauw Money and Banking class on the role of
shared his experiences University. The Forum was a two-part public the Federal Reserve as a stabilizing force
working among the series that examined a social issue in an in times of crisis. Joy discussed the market
poor and homeless open forum. Responders included current outlook and his role as chief market
across the world. students and local citizens to Wielenberg’s strategist at RiverSource investments.