(September 15, 2011)

Contact: Dena Pruett, Centenary Marketing & Communication, 318.869.5715

Chris Lavan Honored with David Womack Award

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary President David Rowe awarded the 2011 David Womack Leadership Award to staff member and alumnus Chris Lavan at a recent faculty and staff meeting. Lavan is a 2006 graduate and currently serves as the College's Director of Global Engagement. The award was named in honor of the influential former Dean of Students David Womack, who passed away in August 2009.

Chris Lavan with Womack Award

Each year, the College's cabinet chooses a faculty or staff member who embodies the qualities possessed by Dean Womack by working to bring the campus community closer together. Lavan was chosen based on his commitment to working across divisional and departmental lines, building bridges, and being inclusive of all members of the Centenary campus community.

"It is particularly meaningful that Chris received the David Womack Leadership Award this year because I knew David's opinion of Chris," said Rev. Betsy Eaves, Vice President for Student Development and Chaplain. "David was extremely proud of Chris, simultaneously holding him in high esteem and having great expectations of him. Chris is a leader on this campus in a wonderfully "Womack" way as he gracefully crosses boundaries of culture, creed, and status bringing all who know him into a shared love and optimism for our Centenary."

Lavan has been a member of the Centenary community since 2002 when he was an undergraduate student. He returned as a staff member after working and earning a Master of Public Administration degree from LSU. In his role as Director of Global Engagement, Lavan oversees cultural exchange initiatives, service learning programs, and related opportunities. He is originally from Lake Charles, 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.