FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (9/20/05)
Media Contact: Lynn Stewart or Kelsey Johnson, Centenary News Service, 318-869-5120 or 841-7265

Centenary College to Unveil Renovated Student Union Building Sept. 23

SHREVEPORT, LA — The newly renovated Randle T. Moore Student Union Building — complete with wireless Internet, comfortable seating, expanded bookstore, coffee bar and renovated café— will be on display Friday (Sept. 23) at Centenary College.

The college will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon on the patio between the SUB and Frost Gardens. The renovated building will then be opened to the Centenary community and guests for the first time that day. Dignitaries at the ceremony include William G. Anderson, chairman of the Centenary Board of Trustees; Judge Carl Stewart, chair of the board's Student Life Committee; Chris Lavan, president of the Student Government Association; and Kenneth L. Schwab, Centenary president.

As part of two days of festivities in conjunction with Parents and Family Weekend, the expanded Centenary College Store will be open from noon to 8 p.m. and caricatures and photo key chains will be available from 2 to 6 p.m. on the main level. A coffeehouse event with performer Kristin Diable will follow at 9 p.m.

On Saturday (Sept. 24), the College Store will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., an outdoor lunch will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the SUB patio, and comedian Eric O'Shea will perform at 10 p.m.

From Friday through Sunday, the renovated Randle's Café will be open from noon to midnight. The college will also unveil the first donors to a brick and paver campaign, which will memorialize members of the Centenary community in brick sidewalks and support the Campaign for Scholarships.

"Students will find a whole new experience in the new SUB," said Dean of Student Life Lori Bradshaw. "It is the 'living room' of the campus and it offers a great atmosphere in which students, facuty, staff and alumni can relax, socialize, play and dine. We plan to increase program offerings such as coffeehouse artists, movie showings and so forth."

The $1.5 million renovation began immediately following the end of the spring semester. It features an updated and expanded main floor that includes new carpeting, lighting, furnishings, restrooms, food and apparel offerings, and office space. Extra space was gained on the main floor with the relocation of the campus post office to the ground level.

The Centenary College Store has been remodeled and enlarged to the edge of the former porch near the Frost Gardens, as has Randle's Café. Randle's will feature wireless Internet, coffee bar drinks and expanded hours. Once completed, café-style seating will be available on the brick walkway outside the building, as well as in Frost Gardens.

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