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

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Olectev 1 ' resident him to accept the presidency in 1921 when Centenary was at a low ebb, with but one building on the campus and the roster showing few students and little income. Doctor Sexton realized that, above all things, all Cent- enary factions must be united; that a divided Centenary could never advance. A sharp breach still existed at this time between the old Jack- son Centenary supporters and those who had brought the col- lege to Shreveport — the mov- ers and the non-movers. Doctor Sexton realized that the breach must be healed, and he set out to heal it by going straight to Jackson — to the center of those he sought to bring into the new fold. There he told of his dream of a great- er Centenary, serving both civil- i Dr. Sexton, the presiding elder, with Bishop Dobbs, at the ground breaking ceremonies tor the Wynn Memorial Church, Shreveport, in 1935. Jerome Cain, pastor in center background. Below, the Centenary Chapel, second building erected by Doctor Sexton after he assumed the presidency.

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Colonial Hall, women ' s dormitory, above, and School ol Music below. Both were built by Doctor Sexton. interested in ( enh yentenartj Sexton stands at Washington in the beautiful struc- ture of white, Georgia marble, with every bit of material in the building, from wood to steel, a prod- uct of Southern industry. During the period of bringing the Representative Church into being Doctor Sexton was called to the pastorate of the First Methodist Church in Shreve- port. This was in 1914. In 1917 he first became officially connected with Centenary, being placed on the Board of Trustees. From then until his death, his life centered around Centenary. The splendid record and fine traditions of old Cent- enary at Jackson often inspired his thoughts with visions of a greater Centenary at Shreveport, for the years to come. It was this feeling that caused

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.Js t;-); V. S-„i: Th3 beautiful Centenary campus of today, dotted with imposing buildings in a setting of stately pines. All of this was built during Doctor Sexton ' s administration, except the gymnasium, extreme right, and Jackson Hall, center. Jve unites y actions ---Jjecj ins to Jjuito ization and Christianity, of the need for support from all to achieve this. The gentleness, sincerity and kindliness of this man who had taken Centenary to his heart had its effect. One day, all of the old Centenary records, the minutes of meetings of the board and of the faculty from 1825 to 1908, held by the non-movers, were delivered to him at the house in Jackson where he was staying. He was told they were his — to do with as he pleased. Doctor Sexton brought them back to Shreveport, but he brought more than old documents. He brought a new future for Centenary, a future which would find the motivating power of all of Centenary ' s friends moving forward in one straight line. No one knew better than Doctor Sexton that Centenary, about ready for a receiver, could not exist and thrive merely on the good wishes of its friends. He was not certain whether it was within the power of anyone to save Centenary. His doubts were quieted when a meeting of leading business men was called in the office of E. A. Frost. To the ten assembled, Doctor Sexton spoke frankly of Centenary ' s needs. He was asked to leave the room. When he