FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (3/96)
Leonard M. Riggs Sr., a landscape architect from Longview, Texas, was honored by Centenary College of Louisiana on Thursday (March 21) during special ceremonies at the Shreveport Petroleum Club.
The college's Alumni Association selected Riggs for its annual Alumni Loyalty Award in honor of his long association with Centenary and his major contributions toward the beautification of the campus.
He was one of three individuals honored during the college's annual Alumni Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner. Also recognized were William E. Bradford of Dallas, Texas, president and chief executive officer of Dresser Industries, who was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame, and Dr. Lee Morgan, longtime Centenary faculty member who was named "Honorary Alumnus."
Riggs is a member of the Centenary Class of 1928. His long association with Centenary has spanned many decades and has had a lasting effect on the beauty of the campus.
Beginning in 1952, Riggs worked with Dr. S. D. Morehead in preparing the major layout for the campus beautification program and initiating improvements campus wide. His most well known project on campus was Crumley Gardens at the corner of Centenary Boulevard and Kings Highway, a site that continues to draw many visitors to campus when the azaleas are in bloom.
Riggs began his noted career as a landscape architect with the Walnut Hill Co. in Shreveport. He then worked with the R. Lacy Co. in Longview before starting Riggs Landscape Co. in 1949. He continues to work with Riggs Enterprises, founded in 1976.
He was the recipient of the Gold Medal award at the National Flower Show in 1939, the Beautification Award from the City of Longview in 1982, served as the president of the Texas Association of Nurserymen from 1942-43, was president of the Texas Landscape Association in 1954-55, and received the Paul Harris Award from the Longview Rotary Club in 1982.
Riggs holds Texas license Number 1, and continues to be an active and enthusiastic supporter of continuing beautification efforts at Centenary College. He and his wife, Fleeta, are the parents of Dr. Leonard M. Riggs, Jr., of Dallas, Texas, who is also a Centenary College alumnus, Class of 1964.
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