(April 10, 2008)

Contact: Rick DelaHaya, Centenary News Services, 318.869.5073

Centenary Goes "Green" With New Bikes From Regions Bank

Regions bikes
Larry Little, Executive Commercial Banker with Regions Bank (left front), Keith Crisman, local Regions Bank President (middle front) and Centenary College President Kenneth L. Schwab lead the ride from Meadows Museum to Bynum Commons. Regions Bank donated eight bicycles to the College April 9. —photo by Sherry Heflin

SHREVEPORT, La.—It was a perfect day for a bike ride. Sunny skies, warm temperatures and slight breeze...perfect for a ride on a new custom green bicycle around the campus. That's exactly what happened for eight lucky riders when Regions Bank donated the bicycles to the College April 9.

Dressed in business suits, Centenary College President Ken Schwab and local Regions Bank President Keith Crisman lead the group of riders for the short trip from Meadows Museum to Bynum Commons where the official presentation was made.

"We have a long history with Centenary College and proud to be able to donate these bicycles to the College," said Crisman. "We are hoping the students use these bicycles as they see fit and that they make life just a little easier around the campus."

Regions bikes
The "lifegreen" bicycles donated by Regions Banks will be parked around the campus and available for checkout by Centenary students, staff and faculty members. —photo by Rick DelaHaya

Joining the two presidents on the short ceremonial ride were Larry Little, Commercial Bank Executive with Regions Bank; Holly Williams, Student Government President; and Dr. Jeanne Hamming, assistant professor of English. After the presentation, students, faculty and staff members were able to take the bikes for a test spin around campus. The bikes are now parked around campus at newly installed racks and available for checkout at the Student Union Building by all on campus with a valid Centenary ID card.

The gift was made possible when William Anderson, Chairman of Centenary's Board of Trustees, approached Regions earlier this year about a donation of bicycles for students, faculty and staff to use for transportation between campus facilities in an environmentally-friendly way. The proposal was accepted and Regions delivered the "lifegreen"
bikes to the campus.

Regions bikes
Riders make the short "ceremonial" trip from the Meadows Museum to Bynum Commons. —photo by Rick DelaHaya

"I want to thank Regions Bank and Keith Crisman for making this possible," said Dr. Schwab. "By providing these bikes to the College, it will benefit everyone."

Adding to those sentiments, Dr. Hamming, who is also a faculty Fellow for Environmental Issues, said that the presentation of the bicycles reinforce the environmental initiatives already in place at the college. "This just reminds us that change, no matter how small, can be fun and positive."


About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College is a private, four-year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and is regularly rated as one of the top colleges in the South. In 2008 Centenary College celebrates 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.