Centenary Chemistry Professor to Speak at President's Convocation

SHREVEPORT, LA — Dr. Joshua Lawrence, Associate Professor of Chemistry, will discuss "The Best and the Good: One Chemist's Perspective" as the featured speaker at Centenary College's annual President's Convocation, a tradition marking the kick off of the academic year. The Convocation will be held Aug. 23rd at 11:15 a.m. in Brown Memorial Chapel and is open to the public.

Dr. Lawrence in the classroom

"Our students!" Dr. Lawrence immediately answers when asked to reveal his favorite thing about Centenary. "They are very motivated, intelligent and committed."

And if the students take one thing away from his speech? "I hope they take their Convocation programs with them to be recycled," he jokes.

The Convocation will also include special recognition of the senior class as well as the incoming class of 2015 by President David Rowe. The Centenary College Choir will perform the anthem, "The Awakening," by Joseph Martin, under the direction of Dr. David Hobson. Organ music will be provided by Dr. Holly Watson. Reverend Betsy Eaves, Chaplain and Vice President for Student Development, will give the invocation and benediction.

After receiving his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois and completing a NIH postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University, Dr. Lawrence accepted a position at Centenary College where he has taught for over six years. He currently serves as the John B. & Minnie Sue Entrikin Endowed Professor of Chemistry. In conjunction with his classes, Dr. Lawrence focuses his research on developing transition metal reagents for perfluoroalkylation of aromatic compounds.

Active in campus life, Dr. Lawrence has served on various committees, aiding in Enrollment Management, Admission, and Pre-Med activities. He has also served as the Chair of the Northwest Louisiana Local Section of the American Chemical Society. Dr. Lawrence's research has been published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society and in Inorganic Chemistry, and he consistently presents at the annual American Chemical Society meetings. Dr. Lawrence resides in Broadmoor with his wife Amanda, their children Eleanora and Andrew, four cats, and a hyperactive Jack Russell Terrier, Charlie.

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.