FOR RELEASE TUESDAY, AUG. 21, 2001 OR THEREAFTER
Contact: Lynn Stewart, Centenary News Service,
318-869-5120
Annual President's
Convocation at Centenary College Features Induction of Four Eminent Scholars
Chairs, Program on Student-Faculty Summer Research
SHREVEPORT, LA -- Four new Eminent Scholars Chairs were installed and
the entire Centenary College campus heard about a new summer research program
at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21 in Brown Chapel.
The occasion was Centenary's annual President's Convocation that launches
each new academic year and offers special recognition to the incoming students
and the year's graduating class.
Attendees heard from two student-faculty research teams, who were among
seven teams participating in a new summer research program that began this
past summer. The 10-week program "allows students to join with faculty
members in powerful learning experiences through research," said Centenary
President Kenneth L. Schwab. "Students have an opportunity to apply their
classroom knowledge to a specific project, while faculty benefit from the
assistance of capable, motivated students. "
Speaking were Dr. Susan Brayford, assistant professor of religious studies,
and her student researcher Connie Manning of Shreveport, a junior majoring
in Latin and Interdisciplinary Studies, and Dr. David Coppola, associate
professor and Mary Amelia Douglas-Whited Chair of Neuroscience, and his
student research partner, Amy Waguespack of Lutcher, La., who is a junior
neuroscience major.
Dr. Brayford's and Ms. Manning's research project involved the translation
of the book of Genesis from Greek to English. They translated over
half of the book of Genesis this summer. As a result of their
research, Dr. Brayford will author the first English commentary on the
Greek version of Genesis. Ms. Manning's work in
translating the Greek allowed Dr. Brayford to begin writing
Dr. Coppola and Ms. Waguespack reported on their research about the
brain's organization during development, and specifically, how the sense
of smell affects its maturation.
The convocation program also included the installation of four new faculty
members into prestigious endowed chairs. They are:
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Dr. Peter Huff, the T. L. James Eminent Scholars Chair of Religion;
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Dr. Christopher Martin, the Rudy and Jeannie Linco Eminent Scholars Chair
of Business Administration;
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Dr. Gregory VanHoosier-Carey, the R.Z. Biedenharn Eminent Scholars Chair
in Communication, and
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Dr. David A. Stafford, this year's Mattie Allen Broyles Inaugural Year
Chair.
Representing those for whom the Chairs were named were:
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from the James family: G.W. "Billy" James, Jr., G.W. James III, and
Bob James;
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from the Broyles family: Joyce and Kenneth Hawkins;
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representing the Biedenharn Foundation: David Tyrone, Executive Director
and Trustee, and
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representing the Lincos, the executor of their estate: Austin Robertson,
Jr.
The Convocation also included an anthem by the Centenary Choir,
organ music by Professor Ronald E. Dean, presentation of the Honor Code
book by Honor Court Chief Justice Blane Sessions, invocation by Dr. Jack
O'Dell, and benediction by Trustees Chairman William G. Anderson.
Seniors and the faculty marched in academic regalia, part of a twice-yearly
tradition at the college. First-year and transfer students also joined
the procession. They were led by Grand Marshal Earle Labor, George
A. Wilson Chair of American Literature, and Faculty Marshal Rosemary Seidler,
Professor of Chemistry.
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