(November 7, 2013)

Centenary dedicates Hall of Fame room to Lieutenant General John Spencer Hardy

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College dedicated its Alumni Hall of Fame room in loving memory of Lieutenant General John Spencer Hardy '38 on Saturday, November 2, during Homecoming week.

The Hardy room honors General Hardy who, after graduating from Centenary, went on to have a distinguished career in the United States Air Force. After retiring from his military career in 1970, Hardy joined the Centenary Board of Trustees in 1971, was named a Life Member in 2005, and was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2010. Hardy funded the John Spencer Hardy and Elizabeth Virginia Doyle Hardy Endowed Professorship in memory of his first wife, who was also a 1938 Centenary graduate. He also left a generous gift to Centenary that will create many opportunities for the College and the Centenary family.

Centenary President Dr. David Rowe, President Emeritus Dr. Don Webb, and Hardy's daughter Beth Courtney spoke at the dedication.

"The dedication of the Hardy room is a fitting tribute to Lieutenant General John Spencer Hardy," said Margo Shideler, Senior Director of Philanthropy. "He was a staunch supporter of the College and our nation for over half a century."

Hardy attended Centenary as a non-traditional student while he was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City. He was a career officer in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1935 until 1970. In January 1942, he helped activate the Eighth Air Force then moved with them in July of the same year to England where hewas named Chief of Operations in 1943. His military decorations include Army and Air Force Distinguished Service Medals, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm, Royal Hellenic Order of King George I, and Commander with Merit of The Order of the Italian Republic.

In addition to the Centenary Board of Trustees, Hardy was a member of other boards and commissions including the United States Air Force Academy, the Advisory Board of the Louisiana Old State Capitol, and the LSUS Medical School. Hardy was honored as a Louisiana Legend in 2008 by Louisiana Public Broadcasting and was a life-long member of the First Baptist Church of Shreveport.