SHREVEPORT, LA -- Centenary College "President" John Hubbard will pull into his reserved parking space before 8 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 28) prior to a day of meetings and a private-dining-room luncheon with a college benefactor. Before the day is out and his tie stops binding, he is likely to hear more than one staff member's request for a raise.
At the same time, casually clad "Student" Ken Schwab will hunt for an open spot in a student parking lot before a 9 a.m. botany class and lab, and an afternoon in "Survey of British Literature" and "Statistics-Behavioral Science." If he is not too busy that day, he may break between classes for some pool in the Moore Student Union Building or a burger in the Jukebox Cafe. If he is unlucky, an exam may loom and he'll spend every spare moment cramming.
On any other day this year, Hubbard is a junior geology major and Schwab is actually Centenary's president. However, in the tradition of such films as 18 Again and Like Father, Like Son, the two will be walking a mile in each other's shoes on Wednesday. Like the films, the denouement involves new understanding.
Centenary's annual President-Student Swap Day is a popular event on campus. Although approached with a bit a humor, the day is designed to promote understanding and communication on campus.
Hubbard, who is the son of John and Jane Hubbard of Shreveport, will also have a chance to discuss the day with another president in the family. His dad is president of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. Among issues that may be discussed at the dinner table: the sad reality that any raises, dispensations or holidays granted on Wednesday are likely to be rescinded on Thursday.
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