FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (11/10/05)
Contact: Patty J. Roberts, Centenary Director of Sponsored Research, or Lynn Stewart, Centenary News Service, 318-869-5120

Congressman McCrery's Announcement

$1 Million Congressional Appropriation for Centenary Will Boost College's Science Program

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College's science program will receive a major boost with a $1 million Congressional appropriation for technology upgrades in Mickle Hall of Science.

The funding was announced yesterday (Nov. 9) by U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery. The appropriations request, Centenary's first to Congress, has been in the works for almost a year.

"We are pleased that our congressional delegation and the Science, State, Justice and Commerce Conference Report recognize Centenary's approach to the sciences, which has indeed been a national model for science research and education," said Centenary President Kenneth L. Schwab. "These technology upgrades and our cutting-edge teaching and research will allow us to make a real economic impact in Louisiana."

Centenary was the first college to offer introductory biology students the opportunity to combine lecture and laboratory into one class. This approach provides students with a unique opportunity to immediately engage in lab during a lecture.

Centenary's science professors are currently engaged in private and public partnerships in multiple research initiatives, including much collaboration with the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. Additionally, high percentages of Centenary students are accepted to medical school.

Dr. Katherine Fell, Centenary's vice president for development, said that this was the first time the college has sought federal funds of this type. "This additional equipment and data analysis software will provide a great learning opportunity for undergraduates and faculty researchers alike," she said. "We are grateful to Congressman McCrery and Senators Mary Landrieu and David Vitter for all their good work on our behalf."

Mickle Hall of Science was constructed in 1949. The new funding, along with funds from Centenary, will also allow for lab modernization, improved ventilation and software upgrades and additions, leveraging dollars committed in the college's operating budget and community fund to provide a critical technology platform.

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