Centenary Professor Chronicles College History in New Book

Dr. Lee Morgan

SHREVEPORT, La. — Dr. Lee Morgan, Professor emeritus of English at Centenary College of Louisiana, has authored the book, Centenary College of Louisiana, 1825-2000: The Biography of an American Academy, which takes an in-depth look at the precarious history of the College over a 175-year period.

Published by Centenary College of Louisiana Press, Morgan's book is the first history on the College to be written since 1930, and took more than seven years to research and write.

Morgan combed through extensive amounts of materials such as faculty and trustee minutes dating back to 1825, Louisiana Methodist Church archives, and local newspapers, for the information in the book. But, according to Morgan, a majority of the information came from the school newspaper, The Conglomerate, and the yearbook, The Yoncopin.

According to Morgan, the book follows the sometimes uncertain journey of the College from its early beginnings, the merger of two failed institutions, and the Civil War years and how that nearly sunk the school, both financially and physically. The College rebounded after moving to Shreveport in 1908 and with the addition of a new visionary president, the Reverend George Sexton in 1921. "Even for all the College's ups and downs, Centenary has consistently graduated noteworthy students who would be distinguished contributors in a variety of fields of endeavors," said Morgan.

The book will be available at College Bookstore and Tower Book Shop, 4800 Line Ave. in Shreveport.

For more information, contact David Henington at 318.869.5151.

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.