SHREVEPORT, LA -- In a year of 175th birthday events, special celebrations, major lectures and announcements, one Centenary alumnus chose to make a historic gift to the College. It came in the form of a photographic history from Eric J. Brock, Centenary Class of 1988, a well-known Shreveport social and architectural historian.
His book, Centenary College of Louisiana, was published May 1, 2000 as a part of the College History Series of Arcadia Publishing. "I guess you could say it is my tribute, my way of saying 'Happy Birthday,' " Brock said.
Many of the photos in the book have not been published before. "There hasn't been a lot about the Jackson campus. It's just not that commonly known," Brock said. "I wanted to make people aware of the early years. After all, that's almost half the College's history." Photographs popularize that history, he added.
Brock has been collecting photos of Centenary since his days as a student majoring in both English and history. For the book, he drew from his own collection as well as those of the Centenary Archives, Alumni Office and Public Relations Office. "Over the years I have contacted some of the older alumni and got copies from them. And the Chamber of Commerce has some photos too," he said.
He sees the photographic history as a companion piece to the comprehensive history of the college that is under way by Dr. Bentley Sloane, Class of 1927, and Professor Emeritus Lee Morgan. Completion of that book is expected during the coming year. In his acknowledgments, Brock gave them special recognition as two "who have done much to preserve Centenary's history. They have my undying respect and friendship."
Brock's Centenary book his the sixth one he has done for Arcadia Publishing, which is an imprint of Tempus Publishing Inc. of Charlotte, N.C. He has authored five: Shreveport, New Orleans, Shreveport in the 20th Century, New Orleans Cemeteries and Centenary College of Louisiana. The sixth, about Red River steamboats, was co-authored with Gary Joiner of Shreveport.
About the Centenary book, Tempus Publishing wrote that Centenary has enjoyed a long a distinguished history. "The years have brought a multitude of changes to the school ... However, what remains steadfast at Centenary is a commitment to the highest standards of academic excellence and an environment that fosters growth and achievement."
It advises readers that "Within these pages, students, alumni, faculty and friends of the college will discover the Centenary of the past -- the early days in Jackson Louisiana, the devastation of the Civil War, the move to the Shreveport campus, and the championship football team that once was."
Through vintage photographs and informative captions, the publisher notes, readers can learn about years past and reflect upon the traditions that continue at Centenary today. Included are aerial views of the physical layout of the school, early sporting events, academic settings and notable figures who contributed to Centenary as graduates, teachers and dynamic leaders.
"Brock combines his interest in Centenary's past with photographs from the school's archives and his personal collection," Tempus said, "in a fitting tribute to his alma mater."
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About Eric Brock:
This is the biographical sketch of Eric J. Brock that is contained in his book, Centenary College of Louisiana:
"Eric J. Brock is a member of the Centenary College class of 1988. While at Centenary he was recipient of the Fabsteel and Clarence Coon Scholarships. He was also a member of the Conglomerate staff, president of the Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society, and a contributor to the college literary magazine, Pegasus. Today he is a consulting social and architectural historian and historic preservation advocate. He is the writer of a regular column on regional history for Shreveport's Forum News Magazine and was an editorial page columnist for the Shreveport Journal from 1992 until its closure on January 1, 2000. He is the author of several books, including five others for Arcadia."
To get a copy of Centenary College of Louisiana:
Copies of the book, which sells for $19.95, are available at the Centenary College Store, Meadows Museum gift shop, Centenary Alumni Office, and most Shreveport area bookstores.
For all general information, contact Arcadia Publishing at:
Telephone: 843-853-2070
Fax: 843-853-0044
Email: sales@arcadiapublishing.com
For customer service and orders:
Toll-free 1-888-313-2665
Arcadia is on the Internet at Arcadiaimages
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