CENTENARY COLLEGE OF LOUISIANA
Shreveport, Louisiana
The College
Centenary College of Louisiana is a selective liberal arts college offering undergraduate programs in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, as well as a limited number of graduate programs. Students and faculty members work together to sustain a community focused on ethical and intellectual development, respect and concern for human and spiritual values, and the joy of creativity and discovery. Consistent with its affiliation with the United Methodist Church, the College encourages a lifelong dedication not only to learning but also to serving others.
In pursuit of these ideals, the College challenges its students to write and speak clearly; to read, listen, and think critically; to comprehend, interpret, and synthesize ideas; to analyze information qualitatively and quantitatively; to appreciate the diversity of human cultures; to respect the value of artistic expression; to realize the importance of a healthy mind and body; and to recognize the interdependence of people and the environment.
Academic and cocurricular programs support students in their development and encourage them to become leaders in the workplace, the community, the nation, and the world at large.
Location
Centenary's 65-acre campus is located 2 miles south of downtown Shreveport, Louisiana, and just across the Red River from Bossier City. The campus comprises twenty-three buildings surrounded by manicured lawns, six gardens, and an academic arboretum, and is easily accessible within minutes from Interstate Highways 20 and 49. The Shreveport Regional Airport, a 10-minute drive from the campus, has regularly scheduled flights on several airlines. Intracity bus transportation is provided by the Sportran Transit System.
Shreveport offers a number of festivals, including the Mudbug Madness Festival and the Red River Revel Festival of the Arts, and various activities and parades related to the Mardi Gras season. Students can also take advantage of popular and rock music concerts in area venues, as well as outdoor concerts at Centenary's Hargrove Memorial Amphitheatre.
Among Shreveport-Bossier attractions are the American Rose Center, the Ark-La-Tex Antique and Classic Vehicle Museum/Shreveport Firefighters Museum, Barnwell Garden and Art Center, the 8th Air Force Museum, the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Norton Art Gallery, the Riverfront Entertainment District, SciPort Discovery Center and IMAX Theatre, and numerous recreation areas and lakes, as well as Centenary's own Meadows Museum of Art.
Sports offerings include NCAA Division I sports in Centenary's Gold Dome and athletic complex, as well as Arena Football and Central Hockey League hockey, both in Century Tel Arena, and Class AA Texas League baseball at Fair Grounds Field. The MainStay Independence Bowl Game is held each year in Independence Stadium.
Centenary is at the center of many arts activities in the area via its dance program, the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, Hurley School of Music, Turner Art Center, and Meadows Museum of Art. The city also offers the Shreveport Symphony, Shreveport Opera, and numerous arts organizations.
Majors and Degrees
Centenary College of Louisiana offers three undergraduate degree programs: the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), the Bachelor of Science (B.S.), and the Bachelor of Music. B.A. degree programs include majors in ancient and foreign languages (any major-minor combination of French, German, Latin, and Spanish), art, communication, dance, economics, elementary education, English, French, geology, German, history, Latin, liberal arts, mathematics, music, performing arts, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, religious studies, social studies education, sociology, Spanish, and theater. The B.S. degree is awarded in accounting, biochemistry, biology, biophysics, business, business economics, chemistry, elementary education, environmental sciences, finance, geology, health and exercise science, health and physical education, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, psychology, and science education. The College also offers a dual-degree (3-2) engineering program.
The Bachelor of Music degree program includes majors in music education, performance, sacred music, and theory and composition. Students who have a great interest in music, but who wish to pursue a career in a music-related field like music therapy or arts management, may enter the Bachelor of Arts in music degree program.
A student may also design an interdisciplinary major, which is a flexibly designed program integrating courses from two or more departments.
Academic Program
The Centenary curriculum aims to produce graduates of extraordinary intellectual and vocational versatility who are prepared to assume responsible positions in their communities and professions. The College prepares its students in critical thinking and in the fundamental communication skills of writing, speaking, and numeracy.
The core curriculum begins with the First-Year Experience, which initiates an emphasis on critical-thinking and rhetorical skills in an interdisciplinary context. The balance of the core curriculum further develops these skills while it introduces students to basic areas and fundamental techniques of human inquiry. Specific core requirements are the First-Year Experience and selected courses that offer inquiry in the humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences. Twelve core courses are required, for a minimum of 40 semester hours. In addition, all undergraduates participate in the Centenary Plan, which involves a service-learning project, career exploration, and an intercultural experience.
To earn a Centenary bachelor's degree, a student must earn at least 124 semester hours, 3 of which must be for a May Module course. At least 45 semester hours, including the last 30, must be taken at Centenary. Two 4-month semesters and a one-month summer session are offered, as are three-week modules each May.
Off-Campus Arrangements
While many Centenary students have their intercultural experience during the May Module, a sizable number choose to study for a semester or even a year abroad in affiliated programs at the University of Aarhus in Denmark, the Université Catholique de Lille in France, the Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft in Germany, or the Universidad de Guanajuato in Mexico or with the Business Exchange Initiative of Northern Ireland. In the dual-degree engineering program, students typically take three years of mathematics, science, and core curriculum classes at Centenary and then continue their engineering education for two years at an affiliate institution, such as Columbia University, the University of Southern California, or Washington University in St. Louis. Upon completion of all graduation requirements, students enter the engineering job market with two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts degree from Centenary and a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the affiliate.
Academic Facilities
Centenary has a personal computer for 1 of every 3 undergraduates. Every residence hall room is wired for free, direct Internet and computer connections. Some thirty computer laboratories are spread throughout the campus, as are numerous multimedia editing and projection facilities. The Magale Library, the academic heart of the campus, has a wealth of volumes, searchable databases, personal computers, multimedia accessories, and software programs.
Specially equipped buildings and facilities include the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, the Gold Dome, the Fitness Center and Swimming Pool, Mickle Hall of Science, Hurley Music Building, Jackson Hall, Turner Art Center, and the Meadows Museum of Art.
Costs
For the academic year 2003–04, tuition is $16,750, a room costs $2900, board costs $2950, and fees are $500. Books and supplies are estimated to cost $1000.
Financial Aid
Aid includes academic scholarships, talent awards (athletic, music, art, theater, dance, or church careers), community service scholarships, need-based grants, state grants, Federal Work-Study Program monies, federal grants, and student and parent loans. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filed before financial aid can be awarded to applicants. For priority consideration, this application should be completed by February 15.
Faculty
More than 90 percent of Centenary's faculty members hold the highest degree in their disciplines. There are 74 full-time and 41 part-time faculty members, with a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. There are no graduate students teaching classes at Centenary. The primary emphasis is on teaching, although research and service activities are also important components of the Centenary experience. These activities involve undergraduates to an extent that is not available at large institutions.
Student Government
Centenary supports and encourages participation in student government. The officers and members of the Student Government Association (SGA) are elected representatives of the entire student body. In addition to the SGA, appointed students serve as voting members on most committees of the College. The SGA's vice president for external affairs makes these committee appointments. The College has delegated considerable authority to the SGA, as well as to the Honor Court and the Judicial Boards.
Admission Requirements
The College offers admission to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, age, disability, religion, or national origin. It seeks first-time and transfer students who possess a high degree of intellectual curiosity, competitive academic backgrounds, and refined talents and skills along with a serious commitment to the pursuit of a liberal arts education. Even though academic achievement and potential are important in the evaluation process, a student's character, maturity, originality, aptitude, determination, leadership skills, special interests, and talents are also significant factors in evaluating candidates for admission and financial aid awards.
High school students who apply are strongly encouraged to complete at least 4 units of English, 3 units of mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry, or equivalents), 3 units of social science, 3 units of natural science (at least 2 with lab, when available), and 2 units of foreign language (in the same language).
First-year applicants must submit a completed application form, an official high school transcript, a copy of SAT I and/or ACT test results or scores reported on the official high school transcript, at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor, and a completed Secondary School Report Form. Applicants are strongly advised to complete an interview with a member of the Centenary admissions staff. Centenary also welcomes qualified international students and transfer students.
Application and Information
First-year students applying under the early decision program must apply by December 1. Admitted students are notified beginning January 1 and are required to submit a nonrefundable $200 tuition deposit by February 1. Students who choose to apply under the early action program must do so by January 15. Notification of admission begins on February 1. Admitted students are asked to submit a nonrefundable $200 tuition deposit by May 1 to reserve their spot in the class. Students who choose to apply under the regular decision program must apply by February 15. Notification of admission begins on March 15. Admitted students are asked to submit a nonrefundable $200 tuition deposit by May 1 to reserve their spot in the class.
For application forms and additional information, students should contact:
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