(August 11, 2011)

Contact: Dena Pruett, Centenary Marketing & Communication, 318.869.5715

Centenary Professor Emeritus Hosts San Diego Exhibit Designer

Dr. Labor and Maggie Walton

SHREVEPORT, LA — Dr. Earle Labor recently escorted Maggie Walton, exhibit designer for the Maritime Museum of San Diego, on a personal guided tour of the Jack London exhibit in the Sam Peters building on the Centenary College campus. With the help of Sue Hodson, Curator of Special Collections for Huntingon Library, and Centenary alumna Dr. Jeanne Reesman, Ms. Walton will be unveiling a new Jack London photography exhibit January 11 on the Star of India, the oldest sea-going sailing vessel in existence today.

Dr. Labor gave extensive information to Ms. Walton on the vast Jack London collection, which has memorabilia ranging from London's personal thermos bottles to a complete set of first editions. Located on Centenary College of Louisiana's campus, the Jack London Research Center aspires to become the world's largest repository for secondary materials, critical, and biographical works related to Jack London. Preserving Jack London's legacy remains of vital importance as California prepares to permanently shut down the Jack London State Park by July 2012.

As the world's leading London scholar, Dr. Earle Labor, Emeritus Professor of American Literature and Director of the Jack London Research Center, was honored this past spring as the Jack London Man of the Year 2011 by the Jack London Foundation. Dr. Labor has published eight books and nearly one hundred articles on the great American author.

Founded in 1948, the Maritime Museum of San Diego's mission is to collect, preserve, and present the rich maritime heritage and historic connections with the Pacific world.

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.