(November 5, 2013)

George Nelson, Jr. elected Chair of Centenary's Board of Trustees

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Centenary Board of Trustees elected George Nelson, Jr. as Chair at its October meeting. The Board also elected other officers and welcomed new trustees.

"Centenary is fortunate to have such outstanding leadership on the Board and the selection of George Nelson as Chair only adds to the tradition of excellence," said David Rowe, Centenary President. "Centenary has greatly benefited from his service, and we are so pleased to see him take on a bigger role."

Nelson is continuing the legacy of his late father, George Dalman Nelson, Sr., who served as chairman of the Centenary Board of Trustees. He assumed emeritus status in 1995 after serving on the board for 30 years; one of the longest known tenures of a college chairman in the United States. During his chairmanship, the college experienced a major building campaign, weathered social and philosophical issues, and increased its endowment sevenfold.

Nelson is CEO of Louisiana Companies and Querbes & Nelson, independent risk management and insurance firms. Nelson is also President of Life Insurance Company of Louisiana and involved with various real estate, oil and gas, and timber investments. Prior to his election, Nelson served as Vice-Chair of the Board and Chair of the Executive Committee.

The Board elected Austin Robertson '89 as Vice Chair, John George '82 as Secretary, Archer Frierson as Treasurer, and Ed Crawford as Immediate Past Chair. Lennis Elston '66, Beth Bonner DeVille '99, and Mark Eldredge '82 began their service as new board members.

The Board of Trustees, which acts as the governing body of the College, is entrusted with preserving and advancing Centenary's mission and setting policy for the 189-year-old institution.