Centenary College of Louisiana - Yoncopin Yearbook (Shreveport, LA)

Page 24 text:

C eQJo 02 copm ■= HE YEARS following the Reconstruction period were prosperous ones for Louisi- ana: population increased, and new in- dustries developed. This progress was especially notable in northern Louisi- ana. Centenary, therefore, welcomed the invitation of the Progressive Young Business Men of Shreveport to locate in their city. To make this location possible, Mr. J. B. Atkins, Mr. J. W. Atkins, and their associates in the Gladstone Realty Company gave to Cen- tenary, in 1907, forty acres of beautifully wooded land on the outskirts of Shreveport. In 1908 Centenary was formally opened on her new site among new environs. Here the college secured new friends and additional assets. Ten years later came the World War, bringing in its wake financial stringency and financial strain. The year 1921 pre- sented a real crisis, and immediate assistance was necessary. In January of that year, a group of ten earnest, far-sighted, civic-minded, public-spirited men undertook the solution of Centenary ' s immediate future. Those present on that occasion were: E. A. Frost, F. T. Whited, Geo. S. Prestridge, J. C. Fos- ter, J. B. Hutchinson, T. C. Clanton, Dr. John L. Scales, R. T. Moore, Dr. Geo. S. Sexton, A. J. Peavy. The immediate finan- cial needs of the college were met by this body of men, and Dr. George S. Sexton was selected as the President of the insti- tution. Shortly after this, the business men of Shreveport raised a fund to help endow Centenary. i 2 5 Page twenty

Page 23 text:

5 ncomx) = EGINNING with her establishment at Jackson, Centenary took her place as one of the great educational institutions of the country. By 1860 her reputation as a leader in the cause of Christian edu cation had become so wide that she was used as a pattern and her standards were adopted by institutions founded with an eye to the future. Then came the period of the war between the States, during the duration of which Centenary was closed. All her students answered the call of their state; every member of the graduat- ing class of 1861 died on the battlefield in defense of the Confederacy. During the conflict, the college buildings fell into the hands of the Union forces, and for some time were used as the headquarters from which were directed a number of military operations. During their occupancy, the Federal troops de- stroyed many of the priceless books, art treasures and museum specimens. The only rooms left unmolested were those here- tofore occupied by the Union Literary Society; these no doubt were protected by the name Union engraved on the doorway. Notwithstanding the losses incurred as a result of the war, Centenary resumed her educational activities in 1868, and, during the Reconstruction period, played an important part in the life and progress of the South. V I ' UL

Page 25 text:

q I 2 5 =C iheHJo tjcopiz) = ENTENARY ' S greatest growth has oc- curred since 1920, during the years of Dr. Sextons incumbency as President. The total enrollment in 1920-21 was 43; in 1923-24 it was 404. For this session the enrollment will approximate 500. Since 1920 the productive endowment and total assets have also increased materially. On December 31st, 1920, the productive endowment was $90,000.00; by May 31st, 1924, this had reached a total of $653,657.93. On De- cember 31st, 1920 the total assets were $426,400.00; on May 31st, 1924, they were $1,217,206.30. The future seems very bright for Centenary. During the present year an endowment fund of $1,000,000.00 is being raised as a centennial gift. With this money new buildings will be erected and additional equipment will be provided. The administration and the faculty are bending their efforts toward making of CENTENARY a college second to none. We are looking forward with confidence toward the realization of their hopes. — S. A. STEGER = J Piigc twenty-ont