(August 27, 2013)
Centenary rises in Washington Monthly ranking
SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College improved its ranking for the fourth straight year among top liberal arts colleges in the eighth annual Washington Monthly College Guide and Rankings. Known as "a different kind of college guide," Washington Monthly ranks colleges and universities that serve a variety of public interests "and provide a great college experience at the same time."
First-year students experienced the first annual World House Service Day this August by providing helping hands to community partners in the Shreveport area.
"Centenary is best known for its rigorous academic standards, but we are also proud to be accessible to students from a variety of backgrounds," said Matt Bailey, Senior Director of Marketing & Communication. "We work one-on-one with every student when it comes to financial aid, and then we provide support to make sure that the student can graduate in four years. In the process, our students learn what it means to serve each other, the broader community, and the world."
Improving two spots to number 88 overall, Centenary received its highest marks for Social Mobility — providing opportunities for low-income students to attend and supporting them through graduation. Around 35 percent of Centenary students receive Pell Grants while over 90 percent of students receive scholarships and other forms of financial aid. High-achieving in-state students may also be eligible for a special full-tuition program called Louisiana: Live Your Dream.
"Our rankings aim to identify institutions that are acting on behalf of the true public interest," said the report's editors in the introduction. "It would be easy to let the great American higher education compact gradually crumble under the weight of expediency and institutional ambition. But that kind of shortsighted thinking isn't what built America's best colleges, and it won't give us all the system of higher learning we badly need."
From the moment they arrive on campus, Centenary students serve the community. Centenary's World Houses help connect new students with opportunities for action and service. On August 19, first-year students joined three community organizations for a day of service even before classes started for the Class of 2017. The World Houses will partner with the community organizations to increase renewal efforts and outreach in Shreveport-Bossier throughout the coming year.