April 2006

In this issue:

  • Alumni Spotlight: Carolyn A. Kapinus '92
  • St. Patrick’s Day Party Photos
  • Little Rock Chapter Kick off Party Photos
  • Class Notes
  • Making an Alumni Gift to Centenary
  • Kollege Kapers


Carolyn A. Kapinus '92 speaking in Kilpatrick Auditorium on March 23, 2006.

Alumni Spotlight: Carolyn A. Kapinus '92

On a recent visit to campus Carolyn A. Kapinus '92 spoke at convocation hour to students, faculty and staff on March 23, 2006. Kapinus lectured briefly on her research on attitudes of divorce. Her convocation preceded the Women's and Gender Studies Conference on campus March 24-25. See snapshots from some of the events. Below is an update from Dr. Kapinus on her endeavors since Centenary.

I have been at Ball State since August of 1999; in 2004 I was promoted to associate professor. I am currently serving as the director of graduate studies for the sociology M.A. program. I received my B.A. in psychology and sociology from Centenary in 1992, my M.A. in sociology from Texas Tech University in 1994 and my Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University in 1999.

I teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the following areas: research methods, sociology of gender and sexuality. My research specializes in examining the effects of family context and relationships on attitudes and behavior. The research I presented during my talk at Centenary focused on my work investigating the effect of family context on attitudes toward divorce. I am also investigating the effect of parent-child relationships on adolescents’ attitudes toward teen pregnancy, risky sexual behavior and perceptions of self-rated health. I’ve just begun a new research project with one of my colleagues at Ball State studying the effect of parent-child relationships on educational attainment.

I’m also interested in studying parent-child communication about sexual issues. In my research on parent-child relationships and adolescents’ attitudes toward teen pregnancy, I found that what parents report about their own attitudes toward teen sexual behavior differs remarkably from what teens think their parents believe about these issues. I would like to investigate factors that correlate to better parent-child attitude agreement on these issues.

I am thankful for the education I received at Centenary. I think that Centenary’s small classes and strong emphasis on writing helped me tremendously in my graduate career. My experience at Centenary also influences the way I teach. I believe in the importance of having students write as much as possible and in providing thoughtful feedback to help students become better writers. I’m not able to do this as much as I would like because of the volume of students I teach. My students frequently tell me that I’m more critical of their writing than their English professors, but they appreciate the opportunity to improve their skills in this area. I credit my experience at Centenary for teaching me the importance of effective writing.

I very much enjoyed returning to campus for a visit and being able to participate in the Gender Studies Conference. I think the conference is indicative of the many wonderful opportunities available at liberal arts colleges like Centenary.

Luck of the Irish Party Grand Success

With the luck of the Irish, the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum Alumni Reception and St. Patty's Day Celebration on March 17 was a success. We were bloody excited to see all of you at this unique hooley. The Blarney stones were there for all to kiss and the weather was magnificently deadly out in the rotunda. The candles glistened and flicks of old Centenary rolled across the television keeping our history alive. There was a grand chinwag with Professor Emertitus Dr. Lee Morgan and Forest Dunn of the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, that will go down in our history of lucky parties. So pull your socks up and take a look at the photos. Thanks to Globe Travel, Lemle & Kelleher, L.L.P., Loutex Production Company, Enterprise Computing Services, LLC, Friends of Centenary and all of the committee members for putting together this wonderful St. Patrick’s Day shenanigan.

Central Arkansas Chapter Kick Off Party

We had a nice turnout for Central Arkansas Chapter Kick Off Party. See the photos

Ruston Admissions and Alumni Reception

Alums and future Centenary students gathered at the home of Bill and Debra Carter parents of Kacee Carter '01. Like other Centenary events the kitchen island became the most popular place to stand. Check out the photos.

Alumni Class Notes

Read this month's class notes to catch up on classmates such as:


Maroon represents the 9% of alumni who have given.
Blue represents the 91% of alumni who have not given, since July 1, 2005.

Making an Alumni Gift to Centenary

Alumni, your alma mater needs your help! It is just that simple.

By making an online contribution to Centenary, you will be making an important difference in the College’s future success. This is why: the total number of alumni who give each year is extremely important because the higher the overall percentage of alumni donors, the better positioned Centenary is to receive crucial grant dollars that are needed to support student programs. In other words, when reviewing grant proposals, grant-making organizations must ask themselves, “If this school’s own alumni do not support it, then why should we?”

Ladies and Gents, Centenary’s future success is worth your time and financial support. Did you know that Centenary is a non-profit organization, which depends almost exclusively on the generosity of private donors? It is important that we maintain the high standards and good reputation of our alma mater. Please help to sustain the value of your diploma and to assist current students.

It’s quick, easy and so very important. Please make an online contribution today. No amount is too small or insignificant. Be counted among Centenary’s alumni supporters and help increase our overall percentage of alumni giving from a very, very low 9%. We can do better! As a benchmark, consider 30-40% within our peer institutions.

Save the Date

Saturday, April 8, 2006
Second Annual Donor Appreciation Reception at Symphony House from 4 - 6 p.m

Friday, April 21, 2006
Better Than Ezra and The Terms at Centenary
Centenary College's Office of Student Life and Fighting Squirrel Productions will sponsor a concert featuring Better Than Ezra and The Terms in the Centenary Gold Dome at 7 p.m. More information...

Friday, April 21 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m.
===Kollege Kapers

Centenary’s Hurley School of Music will present Kollege Kapers, a spirited longtime tradition, in Marjorie Lyons Playhouse. The show will feature music of the jazz age and big band and swing eras, including “Sentimental Journey,” “It's DeLovely,” "Someone to Watch Over Me" and “Jumpin' Jive.” Admission is free and open to the public.
Read the press release.

Saturday, April 22, 2006
===Soccer Reunion

11:00 AM "Alum VS Alum" soccer game on the new and approved field.
Males and females are welcome to play or watch.
12:30 PM Buffet Lunch in the "Caf" $5.50 per person (Expect door prizes)
Afterwards, alums are encouraged to tour the campus and see all of the new changes.
There is a baseball double header starting at Noon and lots of prospective students will be visiting for the weekend.
Dinner at "Kon Tiki"-RSVP required. Contact Jolie Kowalski:
For more information about the weekend, contact: Amy Warren '96:

Saturday, May 20, 2006
2nd Annual Kappa Alpha Alumni Golf Tournament, to benefit the Alpha Iota Chapter's housing fund.
For more information visit Kappa Alpha Order Golf Tournament.

For more up-to-date alumni events visit our alumni events calendar.

Summer Opportunities

Summer Exploration @ Centenary

Centenary College Summer Exploration offers enriched activities for students who have completed grades 8 through 11 by May 2006. Some of the courses offored are Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Creating Computer Games , CSI Centenary: Exploring the World of Biology, Shakespeare through Performance & Acting, Beginning Filmmaking, Psychology Through Movies and The Ultimate Team: Teambuilding and Life. For more information visit Centenary College Summer Exploration.

Sports Camps

Centenary athletics goes beyond intercollegiate competition and into the Shreveport community, offering a variety of camps and clinics for both boys and girls of various ages and skill levels. Visit www.gocentenary.com for more sports camp information.

Swimming Lessons

Group and private swimming lessons will be offered. Contact Mike Thomas, Fitness Center manager at 841-7245 for more information.

Centenary College Dancers Selected for College Dance Programs' Highest Honor


The dance program at Centenary has been selected to perform its composition, “Swept Under,” at the American College Dance Festival’s National Conference at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., May 16-19.
Read the story.

Centenary Kappa Alphas Earn National Award

Members of Centenary College's Alpha Iota Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order returned from the annual Province Council meeting in New Orleans with two of the three major awards of the event.

The chapter earned the Outstanding Scholastic Performance Award, a national recognition, as well as the Most Improved Chapter Award among the 11 chapters in Louisiana. The recognition was announced at the end of the March 18 meeting of the Horace White Province, which was held on the campus of Tulane University.
Read the press release.

It's Phone-a-thon Time!

Our Centenary Students will be calling Alums through out the Nation. They will be asking for donations to help support scholarships and the Annual Fund. They appreciate that previous donors have helped provide for their education.

Cruise the Passage of Peter the Great

Rendezvous in Russia! Sept. 13-25, 2006. Trace the steps of Peter the Great as you explore St. Petersburg, encountering his famed replica The Bronze Horseman. You'll be amazed by this city, bursting with Russian art and culture! Board the luxurious M/S Repin and take pleasure in the folk music and wooden dachas of Mandrogi; stand in awe at Kizhi Island and Goritsy; and appreciate the delicate beauty of the Florence of Russia, Yaroslavl. Sail the Volga River to Uglich and arrive in Moscow. Revel in the State Tretyakov Gallery; and adorn yourself in grandeur as you admire the regality of the Russian aristocracy housed in the Kremlin's Armory Museum. Allow your imagination to take flight at Star City as you experience the Russian space program's launch pad, Gagariin Cosmonaut Training Center.

To make your deposit ($600) and reserve your place on this trip, please call AHI at 800-323-7373. Price is determined by cabin category. Air from Atlanta, transfers, all meals and all excursions are included in the price.

For more information contact or go to Russia September 2006.

Updates

If you move or change your contact information, please let us know so that we can keep in touch with you. Also, let us know about memorable moments such as weddings, births, and promotions, so that we can keep your peers and our records updated.

If you know Centenary alums that are not receiving this email or other mail correspondence, please forward this email to them and ask them to submit an update online at http://www.centenary.edu/alumni/update. You can keep in touch with other alumni by signing up for the Centenary College Alumni Online Community.

For any other alumni news or ideas contact, Alumni Relations at .