Centenary observes annual Founders' Day
February 23, 2017
SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College observed its annual Founders’ Day on Thursday, February 16, handing out service pins and special awards and convening for the Founders’ Day convocation in Brown Chapel. Board of Trustees chairman and Centenary alumnus David Barlow gave the convocation address, describing how the skills he learned at Centenary in critical thinking, research, and forming and defending conclusions have been invaluable in his career.
“A Centenary education is the most important tool we can give you to discern the truth and prepare for change and to be a part of it,” shared Barlow.
Immediately prior to the convocation, faculty and staff were recognized for sustained service to the College during the traditional Morning Call gathering in the Whited Room in Bynum Commons. 2016-2017 Student Government President Ben Green rang the bell to open the ceremony, and College President Dr. Christopher L. Holoman presented service pins to the following members of the Centenary community:
10 years
Dr. Sharon Little, Visiting Instructor in Education
Mrs. Susan SanAngelo, Admission Data Specialist
Mr. Frank Waruszcak, Campus Access Administrator
Dr. Amy Hammond, Associate Professor of Psychology
15 years
Mrs. Tina Feldt, Director of Counseling and Disability Services
Dr. Katherine Brandl, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Chris Ciocchetti, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Coach Butch Jordan, Head Coach Men’s/Women’s Swimming
Ms. Tanya Butler, Sodexo
Mrs. Connie Whittington, Office of the President
20 years
Ms. Monica Powell, Business Manager
Ms. Kathe Newsome, Database Administrator
30 years
Dr. Barbara Davis, Professor of Accounting
Dr. David Hoaas, Professor of Economics
Mr. Michael Mims, Facilities Services
40 Years
Dr. David Thomas, Professor of Mathematics
The Charleton Lyons Summer Research Award, President’s Excellence Award, and Outstanding Teacher Award were also presented during Morning Call.
The Lyons Summer Research Award was presented to Dr. Spencer Dew, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, to fund ongoing research and scholarly writing focusing on his current book project, Sovereign States: Law, Religion, and Citizenship in Black Ethnic Religions.
Mr. Scott Merritt, Director of Information Technology, received the 2017 President’s Excellence Award for almost 20 years of dedicated service to the College. In his remarks during the ceremony, President Holoman praised Merritt’s thoughtful and diligent approach to the complicated job of keeping campus technology updated and functioning at a high level, as well as his steady leadership for the IT team.
Dr. Scott Chirhart, Professor of Biology, was chosen from a field of 25 nominees as the 2017 Outstanding Teacher. One student nomination noted that Chirhart is a “great guy, great friend, and an even better teacher,” and another shared that he is “the reason I came to Centenary.” Other nominations praised Chirhart’s enthusiasm, high expectations, and selfless dedication to Centenary’s biology department, the pre-med program, and the College as a whole.