(October 28, 2011)

Contact: Dena Pruett, Centenary Marketing & Communication, 318.869.5715

Centenary Faculty Form AAUP Chapter

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Centenary College faculty is pleased to announce the formation of a newly organized American Association of University of Professors (AAUP) Chapter at Centenary College of Louisiana. The induction ceremony will take place Wednesday, November 2, at 12:15 p.m. in the Faculty Lounge.

AAUP Certificate

Past Centenary AAUP chapters of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s had a distinguished tradition of engagement with a wide range of campus issues. At the beginning of the 2011-12 academic year, faculty who were already AAUP members met to revive the chapter, which currently consists of over 30% of Centenary's full-time faculty.

Centenary's AAUP Chapter will work as an advocacy group to support nationally recognized standards for academic freedom and shared governance. The members will support the faculty's efforts to promote the best practices for peer review, professional development, and the role of the faculty, the administration, and the Board of Trustees in setting, prioritizing, and fulfilling the educational mission of the College. The Chapter will also work closely with Louisiana's AAUP Conference and the national office to ensure the continued excellence of Centenary's academic program and faculty.

The Chapter has formed an Executive Committee that crosses disciplines:

  • Dr. Sam Shepherd, President

  • Dr. Ken Aizawa, Vice-President

  • Dr. Lisa Nicoletti, Secretary-Treasurer

  • Dr. Mark Goadrich

  • Dr. George Newtown

Founded in 1915, the AAUP has been the nation's leading organization dedicated to advancing academic freedom and shared governance, to defining fundamental professional values and standards for higher education, and to ensuring higher education's contribution to the common good.

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.