Centenary celebrates scholarship donors at annual Legacy Luncheon
SHREVEPORT, LA - Centenary College celebrated some 125 donors who support annual and endowed named scholarships at the 2016 Legacy Luncheon on Thursday, March 17. Donors were joined by more than 100 student scholarship recipients and 25 members of the Centenary faculty and staff for lunch and a performance by Centenary's Camerata choral ensemble before hearing from guest speakers Rev. Carol Borne Spencer '69 and Centenary sophomore Carlee George.
Rev. Spencer, who joined with her brother to endow a scholarship in honor of their father, spoke of the growing appreciation among employers for the critical thinking skills acquired through a liberal arts education. She cited her own journey from economics major to Episcopal deacon as an example of the flexibility and possibilities inherent in a Centenary degree.
Carlee George expressed her appreciation for the scholarship support that is allowing her to attend the same college as two of her grandparents and her mother. Beyond the family connection, she described her pleasure at finding herself an active, passionate member of a learning community since she "hadn't expected much from college."
Both Spencer and George stressed that giving back is a privilege and a way to honor their predecessors rather than an obligation. Centenary's annual Senior Giving Challenge offers graduating seniors the opportunity to experience this joy that comes with giving back.
Seniors donating to this year's Challenge directed their gifts to a wide range of Centenary Funds in support of current operations. In recognition of receiving contributions from more than 50 percent of upcoming spring graduates, a Lip Sync Battle took place on March 8 featuring six Centenary faculty and staff: Cordara Newson, re-enrollment counselor vs. Ashlie Daigle, director of student involvement; Jackie Fain, women’s gymnastics head coach, vs. Matthew Lofton, sports information coordinator; and Jeanne Hamming, associate professor of English, vs. Don Hooper, professor of theatre and dance. Coach Jackie Fain was declared overall winner for her performance of "Don’t Stop Believin'." Other finalists were Cordara Newson and Jeanne Hamming.