(October 2, 2012)

Centenary Trustee appointed first African-American Chief Judge of 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary Trustee Judge Carl E. Stewart H'98 has been appointed the first African-American Chief Judge of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Stewart was also the first African-American judge nominated to the Court in 1994. He succeeds Judge Edith H. Jones, who stepped down from the post.

Carl Stewart

"Judge Stewart serves as a leadership model for our students," said Scott Rawles, Vice President for Advancement. "Centenary has benefitted from his leadership on our board, and we are proud to have him as a part of our Centenary family."

A native of Shreveport, Stewart graduated magna cum laude from Dillard University in 1971 and went on to obtain his law degree from Loyola University Law School. In 1998, Centenary named Stewart an Honorary Alumnus of the College. After practicing law in the public and private sectors, Stewart was elected as a district judge for the 1st Judicial District Court and subsequently was elected to Louisiana's Second Circuit Court of Appeal. President Bill Clinton and the United States Senate appointed Stewart to the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Judicial Circuit in 1994.

Active throughout the community, Stewart has served on boards for the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross, Community Foundation of Shreveport, and the Volunteers of America. His other civic activities have included work with the NAACP, the American Bar Association, and the YMCA Black Achievers Program Steering Committee.

The 5th Circuit hears appeals from cases in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.