(September 23, 2011)

Contact: Dena Pruett, Centenary Marketing & Communication, 318.869.5715

Centenary Alumni and Friends Named to 40 Under 40 List

SHREVEPORT, LA — Thirteen members of the Centenary community have been selected as recipients of the prestigious 40 Under 40 award given annually by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Initiative. The awards will be presented at the 5th Annual Northwest Louisiana Young Professionals Gala presented by CityLife on Friday, December 2, 2011, at Horseshoe Casino Riverdome.

Will Broussard
Director of Athletics Will Broussard

"I'm honored to be selected by the Chamber for this award," said Director of Athletics Will Broussard. "Shreveport has such a diverse mix of talent, and I'm grateful that the committee recognizes the potential of these individuals as well as the contributions of their employers. I'm equally honored to be part of the impressive contingent from the Centenary family."

The other Centenary alumni and friends to be honored display that diverse mix of talent:

  • Amy Bullock and Cole Guthrie are both employed by U.L. Coleman Companies, which is owned by 1990 Centenary alumnus Linc Coleman.

  • Seth Donald attended graduate school at Centenary and received his Master of Business Administration degree in 2008. He is a State Farm Insurance Agent.

  • Stewart Hamel, a supporter and friend of the College, works as Managing Principal at Hamel Interests and Private Equity.

  • Elizabeth LaBorde, Director of Community Investment for the Community Foundation of North Louisiana, helps support the College through grants, scholarships, and donor-advised funds.

  • Megan Meyer is a current Master of Business Administration student at Centenary, and will graduate in May 2012. She is employed at Air Force Global Strike Command.

  • Trey Newell graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 2006 from Centenary, and is a current Master of Business Administration student. He works for Centerpoint Energy.

  • Ben Rauschenbach, friend of the College and spouse of longtime Centenary employee Lisa Rauschenbach, is a project engineer at BALAR Associates.

  • Rob Rubel graduated from Centenary with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Finance in 2001. He works as a sales representative at Fire Tech Systems.

  • Shannon Shea received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Centenary in 2005. She is the director of the Peter Pan Players

  • Imelda Torres Siegelson received her Master of Business Administration from Centenary in 2006. She is employed at General Motors Corporation.

  • Jennifer Meldrum Varnadore, a 2000 Centenary alumna, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Science in Business. She works as the Director of the Cancer Treatment Center at Christus Health System.

The 40 Under 40 award recognizes successful young professionals from northwest Louisiana for their outstanding professional achievements, experience, innovation, leadership, and community involvement. The selection committee, made up of members from the Greater Shreveport and Bossier Chambers of Commerce, looks for those under 40 years of age who represent northwest Louisiana's outstanding entrepreneurs, executives, managers, and professionals in public, private, or non-profit sectors.

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.