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

Page 8 text:

1 l tt ' M2UK - kJ» 4 • . fc •» .-W ?T -- • KM ' v mV . ' . . .... « r ' ' !■ II 1 1 !!■ II MmMPI me. ' ■jm Bj -■ .. HsM ■ - ■ ' -v... ,- - H l -•■ c . R? - ■ - „ ' T sSi E ?r ' ■. . Rr . ' . ; ii ■Rfr fPihfe L it i k ' ' V ' ' t Centenary Boulevard 1 900 « J - T ' 1 8$ rtf L ' S9| ' »«l f- ' ' 2 ! »wSm| Centenary Stadium Snake Dance at a football game

Page 7 text:

In February, 1825, the State of Louisiana issued a charter establishing the College of Louisiana, Centen- ary ' s parent institution. The college, located in Jack- son, opened its doors to its first class in January, 1 826, with tuition fees ranging from twenty to thirty dollars per semester. By 1830, enrollment was up to sixty stu- dents, and in spite of yellow fever and limited funds the college continued to increase in size. But its rural loca- tion proved to be a problem, and by 1843 enrollment had dwindled to only forty-six students. While general support for the college was failing, the treasurer absconded to Central America after some rather dubi- ous bookkeeping, leaving the college in financial straits. In the meantime, in honor of the centennial of Meth- odism, the Conference of Louisiana and Mississippi had founded a college named Centenary at Clinton, Mississippi. The trustees of the State college, faced with closing the institution, agreed to transfer its charter to the Methodist Conference in 1845. The two schools were combined and named Centenary College of Louisiana. The change proved to be a positive one, and Centen- ary grew to become an important educational center in the state. It acquired a reputation as a Christian, gentle- man ' s college, and Jackson became known as the lit- tle Athens of Louisiana. In 1851 there were 250 stu- dents enrolled, and the college commencement was attracting thousands of people each year. The large center building with its massive columns was erected in 1857, and housed the library, classrooms, and an audi- torium which would seat two thousand. But the period of prosperity was halted suddenly in 1861 with the outbreak of war. The college was forced to close for lack of students, an action evidenced by a dramatic notation in the faculty minutes. The war brought great damages to the school. The valuable library collection, one of the best in the South, was Faculty minutes 1861 Centenary ' s first women graduates

Page 9 text:

Old Jackson Hall •«£ looted and burned while the Union soldiers occupied the campus, and all but three members of the senior class were killed in the war. At the conclusion of the war, the college was disorganized and deeply in debt. Amid the pervading spirit of depression and the hard- ships of reconstruction, Centenary slowly got back on its feet. By 1885 the college included four faculty and seventy students. The endowment fund was increasing and support for the college was growing. Several reviv- als occurred at Centenary during this period which greatly strengthened its image as a Christian school. Then, in 1892, Millsaps College opened in Jackson, Mississippi, and the Mississippi Methodist Conference surrendered its interest in Centenary. This Conference had been instrumental in securing students and funds for Centenary, and its departure was a severe blow to the college. Still, the Louisiana Conference continued on its own, and in 1 900, Centenary gave certificates to its first women graduates. The receipts of the college declined, however, and the remoteness of rural Jackson caused a drop in enrollment. Once again, the college was considering closing its doors. Then, in 1904, the Shreveport Prog- ressive League offered to relocate the college in their city. The move was made, and in September, 1908, the new campus opened its first session. Although the col- lege had strong support in its new home, keeping Cen- tenary going continued to be a struggle. Enrollment varied, but the school would always find just enough funds to cover its needs. War came in 1914 and again seriously affected attendance. Then, in 1 921 , Dr. George S. Sexton, pastor of the First Methodist Church, became President of the college, and literally saved it from total collapse. In just a few years, enrollment went from less than fifty to four hundred and fifty, and the endowment went from $1 00,000 to more than a million. The Rotary Club of Shreveport built a large new dormi- tory for the college in 1 930. A football team named the Gentlemen was formed and soon gained national recognition. Then War came again in 1941 , and athlet- ics among other things was forgotten in the concentra- tion on the war effort. After the war the school ' s enroll- ment increased almost beyond its capacities as a result of the Veterans Benefits program. Soon it declined again to a level of around 800 which was maintained for about two decades. Almost all of the buildings now seen on campus were built during these years, with the exception of Rotary, Jackson, and the old administra- tion building and gym. Along with physical improve- ments, the endowment was greatly increased and the academic program was enriched and broadened. With the football team long since defunct, the basketball team took its place in the national spotlight. Today, Centenary continues its tradition of academic excellence. As we review the history of the college, we see periods of greatness and times of struggle, yet throughout it all, Centenary has maintained its reputa- tion as a respected institution of higher learning. Although the college ' s enrollment has declined in recent years, this year ' s increase may mark the begin- ning of a new period of prosperity. Financing any insti- tution such as a private college has always been and will continue to be a constant effort. But while other institutions have closed, Centenary has shown a remarkable resistance to failure. Although less liberal than some liberal arts colleges, Centenary retains its greatest asset: a small student teacher ratio which pro- vides greater intellectual stimulus and a better rounded education. As the oldest college west of the Mississippi River, Centenary stands as a tribute to those who have given it 1 50 years of life.