(September 15, 2015)

Monica Powell honored with Centenary's annual Womack Award

Centenary's President, Dr. David Rowe (right) and 2015 Womack Award winner, Monica Powell.

SHREVEPORT, LA — Heartfelt applause and cheers greeted Centenary President David Rowe's announcement that Business Manager Monica Powell, a 19-year employee of the College, was the recipient of the 2015 David Womack Leadership Award. The Womack Award was established in memory of former Centenary Dean of Students David Womack, who passed away suddenly in August 2009. It is given annually to a member of the faculty or staff and was announced this year at the College's Faculty/Staff Development Day on August 27.

"I was completely surprised and rendered speechless when I found out I was the recipient of this year's Womack Leadership Award," said Powell. "This award is very special because it is given in honor of someone that I truly admired and respected."

Nominations for the Womack Award are considered each August by the Cabinet of the College, and a recipient is chosen if a worthy candidate is identified. Honoring the example and the memory of the late David Womack, Womack Award winners are chosen on the basis of their leadership skills, their ability to work across divisional and departmental lines, their commitment to and skill at building bridges, and their capacity to be inclusive of all members of the campus community.

Bob Blue, Vice President for Finance and Administration, described Powell as "the glue" in the College's financial management team, applauding her for the critical support that she has provided to senior staff throughout her long career at Centenary.

"She does not allow her job description to act as a barrier," said Blue. "For instance, thanks to her willingness to get the job accomplished, she recently learned to produce detailed monthly financial statements that have been critical to decision making across campus. She was also the in-house anchor on the FY14 audit, ensuring that reconciliations and audit schedules were met."

Powell is most proud of her relationship with students and parents — most of whom she knows by name - engaging with them in a way that Blue described as "watching Picasso at work." She collaborates across the aisle with colleagues in financial aid and enrollment to resolve financial issues and find collaborative solutions that are acceptable to students, their families, and the College.

In addition to her work in the College's Business Office, Powell has served with the Economic Policy Committee, the Multi-Cultural Student Association, the Student Support Team, and the Diversity Committee.

"In a short time, David Womack was able to build bridges across campus and make a positive impact by demonstrating genuine concern for others," said Powell. "I am delighted that the Centenary family believes I have formed the same kind of meaningful relationships through my work. I was pleased, honored, and humbled to accept the David Womack Award and to join past recipients whom I hold in high regard."

Past recipients of the Womack Award include Dr. David Hoaas, Dr. Chris Lavan, Eddie Walker, Connie Whittington, and Mark Miller.