Founders' Day 2004

Annual Founders’ Day Convocation Feb. 5 at Centenary College to Feature Remarks by Provost Darrel D. Colson, Kick Off Alumni, Homecoming Events

Dr. Darrel D. Colson

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College’s provost and dean of the college, Dr. Darrel D. Colson, will speak Thursday, Feb. 5 when Centenary celebrates the 179th year since its founding. The college’s annual Founders’ Day Convocation, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 11 a.m. in Brown Chapel. It kicks off a long weekend of alumni and homecoming events at the college, including a televised basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 7.

The Founders’ Day Convocation will also feature the Centenary College Choir, which will sing O King All Glorious under the direction of Dr. Will K. Andress.

Dr. Kenneth L. Schwab, president of the college, will deliver a welcome and recognize the recipients of Centenary’s annual Outstanding Teacher Award and the President’s Award of Excellence as well as the newest inductees into the Alumni and Athletic Halls of Fame. Honored guests will include:

the Alumni Hall of Fame recipient, Dr. Leonard Riggs of Dallas, Class of 1964;

the 2004 Honorary Alumni, Bill and Ruth Atkins of Shreveport;

Alumni Loyalty Award recipient, Del Threlkeld Harbuck of the Class of 1955.

the new Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, who are the late B. P. Causey (tennis coach and band director), Beth Bain Lamkin ‘91 (tennis), Richard Plant ‘90 (soccer), Andy Watson ‘82 (baseball), Barrie Haynie ‘66 (basketball), and the entire 1984 Ladies Gymnastic Team (NAIA National Champions).

The alumni awards will be presented formally at the annual Alumni Awards Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5 on campus. The Athletic Hall of Fame dinner will be held the evening before Founders' Day at the Sheraton Shreveport Hotel. Athletic Hall of Fame honorees will also be recognized in events surrounding the Gents vs. Western Illinois homecoming basketball game at 5 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Gold Dome. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Midwest, Fox Sports Chicao and Empire Sports.

A traditional part of Founders' Day involves faculty, staff and graduating seniors in academic regalia, who will participate in a procession from Mickle Hall of Science to the Brown Chapel. Grand marshal will be Dr. Earle Labor and faculty marshal is Dr. Rosemary Seidler.

The Rev. Betsy Eaves, chaplain of the college, will deliver the invocation, and William G. Anderson, chairman of the Centenary Board of Trustees, will give the benediction. Dr. Hollice Watson, organist, will present the processional and recessional.

Alumni weekend and homecoming festivities will be themed “Maroon Monsoon.” Other homecoming activities include presentation of the homecoming court, a 50th anniversary reunion of the award-winning ROTC-Ft. Benning group, other milestone reunions, the kick off of the Campaign for Scholarships, a Ladies Basketball game vs. Valparaiso, and a campus open house and Legacy Luncheon.

Also on campus that weekend will be a Swim Team home meet and a Lacrosse Team match as well as a Friday evening bonfire, Saturday tailgate party and parade, a Magale Library art exhibit by Star Rambin Williams, and a presentation of The Laramie Project at the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse.

- 30 -