Kenneth L. Schwab, Biography
Appointed the 28th President of Centenary College in 1991, Dr. Kenneth L. Schwab is also a tenured professor in the Department of Education. He has three sons (Kempten, Carlton, and Christopher) and one granddaughter, Kate.
President Schwab hails originally from Indiana where he received his bachelor's degree from Purdue University in 1969. He then earned his master's in guidance and counseling from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro in 1972 and his doctorate in higher education administration at Indiana University in 1978. He came to Centenary after serving in varied administrative posts at Guilford College and the University of South Carolina.
Involvement with Centenary students has been important to President Schwab. Centenary's First-Year Experience program has seen him as an instructor during several spring semesters, team-teaching Aristotle and water management, among other topics. He also recently traveled with the internationally renowned Centenary College Choir to Europe, Brazil, and South Africa.
Campus improvements have also marked President Schwab's tenure at Centenary. Under his leadership, The Vision for the Future comprehensive campaign raised over $102 million for the College. This amount exceeded the original target of $90 million, enabling renovation to residence halls and the fitness center, construction of an arts complex, and additions to the College endowment. Current fundraising drives like The Campaign for Scholarships and the Science Hall Renovation Project will soon bring much-anticipated additions to campus facilities and scholarship support for our students as well.
A recent participant in the US University Presidents Summit on International Education and the Wye Presidents Seminar, Dr. Schwab has also published a book, numerous articles, and several institutional planning documents regarding presidential leadership and transformational change.
Dr. Schwab serves on the Executive Committee of the Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana; the Consortium for Education, Research, and Technology (CERT) of North Louisiana; the Associated Colleges of the South Board of Directors; and The University Senate of the United Methodist Church. Dr. Schwab also maintains membership in Omicron Delta Kappa and actively participates on Centenary's behalf in many other local and national organizations, including the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the American Council on Education.
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