(February 8, 2012)

New directors promote Centenary and Shreveport-Bossier relations

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College will be increasing its outreach and partnership efforts across campus and in the Shreveport-Bossier community through the work of individuals in two new positions — Director of Community Services and Director of Educational Outreach.

Ron Lamar, Director of Community Services, is tasked with creating a more robust revenue stream for the College and encouraging community members to make use of Centenary facilities. He identifies new potential revenue-generating opportunities for the College, develops and implements business plans, and builds partnerships to put those plans into action and inform the community about what Centenary has to offer. Lamar also directly oversees various aspects of campus life: Dining Services, College Store, Public Safety, and Events and Conference Management.

"The ultimate goal is to make the College more financially self-sufficient," said Lamar. "The additional revenues provide the means to give our students the full Centenary experience."

Director of Educational Outreach Edward Ragan links the research, teaching, and service interests of Centenary faculty to the needs and opportunities of the local community. He coordinates outreach and partnership efforts with community organizations, working closely with the Meadows Museum, Centenary's performing ensembles, and the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse. In doing so, Ragan communicates the College's mission to the broader community.

"I hope to create more programs for our students and community members," said Ragan. "I am also here to facilitate events and opportunities that others on campus have already planned as well as work with summer educational initiatives such as summer school and camps."

By coordinating their efforts as well as working with the Department of Marketing & Communication, Ragan and Lamar plan to boost awareness and revenue for Centenary while supporting and enhancing the Centenary experience for current students.

Ron Lamar has spent nearly 25 years successfully running media companies and groups of media companies. Most recently, he served as the COO of Moon River Ranch, a luxury ranch resort in Central Texas that hosts family reunions, corporate retreats, and weddings. Ron is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in Anthropology and a B.S. in Advertising.

Edward Ragan completed his B.A. in History and his M.A. in Liberal Arts at LSUS. He obtained his Ph.D. in Early American and Native American History from Syracuse University. For more than fifteen years, Edward has worked with tribal communities on matters of cultural recovery and federal acknowledgement. Prior to joining Centenary, Ragan was the staff historian and an exhibit curator at the Valentine Richmond History Center in Richmond, VA.