Contact: Rick DelaHaya, Centenary News Services, 318.869.5073

Pardon Our Dust
College Begins Renovation and Construction Projects

SHREVEPORT, La.—Centenary College has embarked on an ambitious summer project of renovations and new construction totaling more than $2 million. Included in the projects are renovations to the Gold Dome and residence halls, construction of Riggs Plaza and the Leadership Fountains, and various smaller projects around the campus.

More than $150,000 worth of improvements has already been made to the athletic facilities with $575,000 budgeted to make even more improvements. "A lot of the projects we will be starting are behind-the-scenes type improvements that are going to go a long way in improving both student and athlete morale" said Dr. Tom Tallach, Director of Athletics.

Improvements that have already been completed include resurfacing of the tennis courts, new softball dugouts and upgraded public address systems. New wind screens and nets for the tennis courts are also on order and will be installed as soon as they arrive.

_{Read the coverage in the June 5 issue of the Shreveport Times.}

One of the largest projects at the Gold Dome includes installing a new wooden floor and new lower seating. "The old flooring has already been sold and we expect to start the install of the new flooring in June," added Tallach. "The work we are going to accomplish in the Gold Dome is going to make it more attractive and more marketable."

Along with the work in the Gold Dome, students will notice improvements to the residence halls when they return from summer break.

"We are investing $1 million alone in the residence halls," said Bill Ballard, Vice President for Finance and Administration. "The students will see updates in the bathrooms, bedrooms and lounges." Furniture will be replaced, new flooring and new water heaters are just some of the other renovations, he added. "We are even cleaning the air system ductwork, so there is a lot of work to be done in a few short months."

Work also started in the Quadrangle for the Riggs Memorial Plaza and Leadership Fountains, a joint beautification project that will both commemorate campus leaders, and create a water feature and gardens. The official groundbreaking ceremony took place in February during Homecoming week.

The project has evolved since its initial conception in 2001 when the business leadership class in the Frost School of Business crafted a plan for the Leadership Fountain and raised more than $40,000 for the project. The 2003 business leadership class then connected that plan with fundraising for student scholarships as the Paving the Way Campaign, which is when the project caught the eye of Leonard Riggs, Jr. '64, who designated part of his parents' estate to the larger plan of landscaping the quadrangle between Mickle and Hamilton Halls as a garden space.

"This project is representative of the love Leonard Riggs Sr., '28 had for the campus," said Dr. Kenneth L. Schwab, Centenary College President. "His long association with Centenary has spanned many decades and has had a lasting effect on the beauty of the campus."

Leonard M. Riggs Sr., a landscape architect from Longview, Texas, worked with Dr. S. D. Morehead in preparing the major layout for the campus beautification program and initiating improvements campus wide. His most well known project on campus was Crumley Gardens at the corner of Centenary Boulevard and Kings Highway, a site that continues to draw many visitors to campus when the azaleas are in bloom. He is also credited with bringing azaleas to this part of Louisiana.

According to Dr. Kathy Fell, the project should be completed by the end of summer. "We are very excited about this project and look forward to the continuing beautification efforts at Centenary College thanks to Mr. Riggs, "she said.

Please check back for photos from the various projects.

Read the coverage in the June 5 issue of the Shreveport Times.

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.