Centenary Cornerstone highlights an individual whose dedication to Centenary College has made an impact on our community.
If you have shopped at the annual Centenary Book Bazaar, chances are that you have seen Dr. Grace Bareikis unloading boxes of books or helping at the registers. Her dedication to the book sale exemplifies her broader commitment to Centenary College and the Shreveport Community in general.
Dr. Bareikis joined Centenary in 1992 as the director of intercultural affairs after moving from California to Shreveport with her husband, Dr. Robert Bareikis, who had been selected to serve as provost and dean of the college. She held that position until her retirement. During her tenure she hosted numerous events, including hosting 40 individuals from the Danish Association of Teachers of English. The event centered around a two-week immersive experience in southern literature and culture.
Dr. Bareikis was also instrumental in ensuring all students receive an intercultural experience. In the 1992-1993 academic year, she campaigned that an intercultural experience allows students to begin truly seeing the world. In a 2003 interview with The Chronical of Higher Education Dr Bareikis stated, "An intercultural experience is very much a part of the Centenary experience. The Centenary faculty has recognized this need and has made it a requirement for graduation that every student must complete an intercultural experience." The Chronicle of Higher Education ranked Centenary College number 3 among the nation’s highest percentage of undergraduates studying abroad in 2003. Centenary students have now traveled and studied abroad in over 25 countries.
Following her retirement, Dr. Bareikis has remained an important figure on Centenary's campus. As a member of the Women’s Endowment Quorum (WEQ), Dr. Bareikis has helped to fund major campus projects for student and community use. Most recently the WEQ supported the upgrades to the Hargrove Bandshell by removing concrete benches and creating open lawn seating.
Undoubtedly, Dr. Bareikis is most well known for her dedication to the Centenary Book Bazaar. The annual two-day event raises funds that support various projects around campus. In previous years proceeds have purchased small passenger vans, redecorated dorm lobbies and provided emergency defibrillators around campus. "The Book Bazaar has been a staple at Centenary for over 30 years and has been a wonderful event that engages the entire Centenary community as well as the broader Shreveport-Bossier community,” noted Fred Landry, Vice President for Development. “We are so grateful to Grace and all the Muses that work so hard to raise funds for our students, professors, programs, and campus.”
In 2016 Dr. Bareikis was named an honorary alumnus of Centenary College. This award recognizes her distinctive contributions made to the College that have enriched and strengthened the total Centenary community. Beyond volunteering on our campus, Dr. Bareikis has been a loyal donor for the last 28 years consecutively. Her gifts have benefitted all aspects of the College including scholarships, academics, the arts and athletics.
Centenary College has been forever impacted by Dr. Bareikis, and we are fortunate to have her loyal support. “Grace has been an outstanding advocate for Centenary and we are so proud of all she has done in helping to advance the mission of the College.”