(June 28, 2011)

Contact: Matt Bailey, Centenary Marketing & Communication, 318.869.5120

Partnership Between Centenary and LSU Under Discussion

SHREVEPORT — LSU and Centenary College announced an innovative agreement to explore new "Learning Bridge" programs for graduate study using resources from both schools. Centenary President David Rowe and LSU Chancellor Michael V. Martin signed the agreement today in a ceremony on Centenary's campus.

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"We are very excited to be working with LSU on this potential opportunity for our students," said Dr. Rowe. "This collaboration is part of an initiative to complement our strong liberal arts tradition with more opportunities for graduate professional study. We're looking forward to working with Louisiana's flagship institution to prepare our students to face emerging challenges and develop leaders for a changing world."

A working group comprised of representatives from both schools will convene over the summer to determine the feasibility of and the parameters for the potential partnership. The hopeful result of these discussions will be the development of graduate certificates in Sustainable Energy Development as well as Wetlands and Coastal Ecology. Under the "Learning Bridge" concept, students completing the certificate at Centenary would then have a pipeline to continue their graduate studies at LSU. Once developed and approved, the partnership could be implemented as soon as the Fall 2012 semester.

"This is exactly the type of partnership we should and will cultivate with schools across the state," said Dr. Martin. "As Louisiana's flagship university, it is of vital importance that we remain engaged in developing new pathways for higher education. While this is still in the very early stages, I feel confident that together, LSU and Centenary will do great things for the students and citizens of Louisiana."


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.