(January 2007)

Media Contact: Lynn Stewart, Centenary News Service, 318-869-5120

Author-Professor David Myers to Speak Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at Centenary College as Part of Attaway Scholar Series

David Meyers
Dr. David Meyers

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College will host public presentations by author and psychology professor David Myers, who will be on campus as a visiting Attaway Scholar Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Dr. Myers currently teaches in the Department of Psychology at Hope College in Holland, Mich.

He will give two public presentations:

Wednesday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m., Kilpatrick Auditorium in the Smith Building
"The Christian Case for Gay Marriage"

Myers' recent book (with Letha Dawson Scanzoni), What God Has Joined Together: The Christian Case for Gay Marriage, " . . . is an effort to bridge the divide between marriage-supporting and gay-supporting people of faith by showing why both sides have important things to say. By affirming marriage for all, What God Has Joined Together concurs with conservatives' call for marriage renewal and a more marriage-supporting culture. And it concurs with liberals' affirmation of everyone's right, regardless of sexual orientation, to seal love with commitment and to participate fully in the church's life and ministry." (www.davidmyers.org)

Thursday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m., Kilpatrick Auditorium
"The Scientific Pursuit of Happiness"

Through review of scientific research, Myers has examined psychological research on happiness to help describe who's happy and why. Those familiar with his research state that his conclusions are sometimes counterintuitive and always worth thinking about.

For an overview of his work and writings, see his website. For further information about Myers' visit, contact Dr. Matt Weeks of the Centenary Department of Psychology at email.

Persons Centenary names as Attaway Scholars have made notable contributions to the public discussion of ideas, are in residence for a minimum of two days on campus, interact with students in and out of classes, give at least one public presentation and commit to maintaining relationships with Centenary and its students.

Funded by and named for the Douglas and Marion Attaway, with matching funds from the State of Louisiana, the Attaway Professorships in Civic Culture, Attaway Fellows and Attaway Scholars designations are awarded by Centenary to intellectuals who have made notable contributions to the public discussion of ideas. They present themselves not as academics who occasionally have public roles, but as public thinkers and gifted communicators whose foremost interest is civic culture.

The college expects that the Attaway designees will make distinctive, catalytic and enduring contributions to the intellectual life of the community. Professors provide a mentoring role that encourages students to engage in similar intellectual endeavors. Attaway Professors bring to campus perspectives that are often underrepresented in the academy.