Centenary College Names New Provost and Dean of the College

SHREVEPORT, La. (Centenary News Service)—Centenary College has selected Michael Hemphill, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Clinton School of Public Service, to become its next provost and dean of the College effective July 1.

Hemphill also serves as a Professor of Communication at the Clinton School of Public Service. Prior to joining the Clinton School, he spent 24 years on the faculty of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he served as chair of the Department of Speech Communication and, for a period, as dean of the College of Professional Studies.

Michael Hemphill, Ph.D.

"In getting to know Dr. Hemphill, I've come to appreciate that he understands public service as engaged social change. It is precisely this visionary commitment that will advance Centenary College's mission of encircling the world with wise, caring and moral leaders" said David Rowe, president of the College.

Hemphill earned his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Iowa, and his B.A. degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. His work outside the Clinton School has focused on the development of community leadership, specifically in the area of judicial administration. In recent years he has worked with the National Association for State Judicial Education, Judicial Education/Adult Education Project, National Association of Chapter Thirteen Bankruptcy Trustees, Arkansas Chambers of Commerce, Arkansas Public Administration Consortium, and the administrative offices of state courts in Arkansas, Texas, Indiana, Missouri and California.

"I am excited about the future of Centenary College and the opportunity to serve as provost and dean of the College," said Hemphill. "I feel that a liberal arts education at Centenary College should prepare students to think for themselves, understand the interconnections within the dynamics of their lives, embrace the mystery of what they will encounter, strengthen their spiritual values and prepare them to serve and lead in their community. The College's growing academic prestige makes me proud to be part of Centenary as it realizes its goal to become the premier liberal arts college in the South."

Hemphill received the 1990 Ross Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award, recognizing him as the outstanding classroom teacher in the University of Arkansas system. In 2000, Hemphill received the Jack Evans Regional Leadership Award, given by Metroplan to members of the UALR Water Study Task Force, and the UALR Department of Excellence Award for the Department of Speech Communication.

He assumes the position that was vacated by Dr. Darrel Colson, who departed after serving for seven years and was selected as the president at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.

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 has been recognized as "One of the Best 371 Colleges" by the Princeton Review and one of "America's Best Colleges" and one of "America's Best Private Colleges" by Forbes.com. In 2008 Centenary College celebrated 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.