(November 20, 2015)

Three Centenary alumni among 40 Under 40 honorees

Valerie Robideaux '03

SHREVEPORT, LA — Three Centenary alumni have been selected for the annual "40 Under 40" award presented by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals Initiative. The Chamber's Young Professional of the Year Award will be presented to one of the 40 nominees at the annual Northwest Louisiana Young Professionals Gala presented by The Forum on December 5 at the Shreveport Convention Center.

Centenary's Chaplain and Director of Professional Discernment, Valerie Robideaux '03, is one of the honorees this year.

"I am truly humbled to be a part of this year's 40 Under 40 honorees," says Robideaux. "The Young Professionals Initiative with the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce impressively champions and develops young leaders in our city."

Robideaux is a deacon in the United Methodist Church and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University after graduating from Centenary. As Director of Professional Discernment for the College, she developed and oversees a career-coaching program that helps prospective and current students identify their passions, values, and interests and connect these attributes to professional goals. As Chaplain, Robideaux provides institutional pastoral care to the campus, mentors campus ministry leaders, and oversees the College's Christian Leadership Center.

Centenary graduates Thomas Avallone '00 and Ryan Williams '99 were also chosen as "40 Under 40" recipients for 2015. Avallone is the owner of Maccentric, Shreveport-Bossier's only locally-owned Apple Authorized Service Provider. Williams, a graduate of Centenary's theater program, is in his 11th year as director of the Byrd High School drama department and teaches drama and film classes at the school.

The "40 Under 40" award recognizes successful young professionals from northwest Louisiana for their outstanding professional achievements, leadership, community involvement, and commitment to improving Shreveport and Bossier City.