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

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The graduates of 1984 march for the first time in Cap and Gown at the President ' s Convocation. Tennis Player Lynn Hanson competes on the Centenary Ladies team. The steps of James Dorm are a popular place for students to catch up on a bit of studying. . . . which provides a liberal arts education enhancing the quality of life for its students and, through them, for society. The liberal arts, by tradition, free and the mind from dogma and intellectual conformity in order that students may realize their fullest potential as individuals. Dr. Barrie Richardson, the new Dean of the School of Business speaks at a Convoca- tion. Opening • 7

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Centenary Is An Institution . . . ... of the United Methodist Church and believes that knowledge and religious faith have to be linked if one is to enhance the meaning of the other. Students are encouraged to accept the challenge to serve society and exemplify the highest Christian ethic. This Christian heritage emphasizes the wholeness of human life, the interrelatedness of knowl- edge, and the entire Centenary family pride. Centenary is a Methodist affiliated Institution. Brown Chapel symbolizes the 143-year relationship of the College and the Methodist Church. Dr. Webb: President and Minister. 6 • Opening

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A Search For Excellence We aspire to have one of the best small college programs in business in the United States by the year 1988. that is the thesis statement of A Search for Excellence, Dean Barrie Richardson ' s plan for revitalizing the Centenary College School of Business. There are several goals contained within the mission statement of A Search for Excellence. The plan ' s chief goal will be to upgrade the quality of the School of Business ' s undergraduate and graduate programs. Other goals include making Centenary graduates more sought after by employers and graduate schools, attracting the brightest high school students by creating a more chal- lenging undergraduate business program, and to earn a reputation for the scholarly and professional competence of the business faculty. A Search for Excellence acknowledges the fact that good grades and success in the business world are not necessarily related. However, it also takes into account the fact that a college, such as Centenary, provides an excellent environment for the development of future business leaders. To achieve the goals outlines, A Search for Excellence will lead to numer- ous changes in business, economics, and accounting curriculums. The business department will be more rigorous and challenging, with students required to demonstrate high levels of proficiency in communication skills, quantitative analysis, economics, and core courses in management, finance, and marketing. Students in the business department will also have the opportunity to apply classroom concepts to the real world, through internships, unpaid staff assis- tantships in local businesses, and case studies of local businesses. Arrangements will also be made for students to study for a semester in Washington, D.C., New York City, Dallas, Chicago or Atlanta. Centenary ' s economics and accounting major programs will also undergo changes as part of A Search for Excellence. Economics will come into its own as a major program, which will be completed by only a small number of the students who begin it. Students studying accounting will, in the future, be required to earn a B or better average in introductory courses if they wish to pursue an accounting major. It is the goal of A Search for Excellence, in regard to accounting, to have one of the highest pass completion rates on the C.P.A. exam in Louisiana. A Search for Excellence will lead to definite change in Centenary ' s M.B.A. program. There are currently several models for the program under consider- ation by the faculty and administration. There is, however, the distinct possi- bility that in 1988, Centenary will no longer have an M.B.A. program. Accord- ing to A Search for Excellence, if Centenary maintains a graduate program in business, it will be distinctive, while also suited for Centenary ' s resources. An idea, new to Centenary College, to come out of A Search for Excellence is the Centenary Management Scholar program. The program will involve a select group of individuals, identified at the end of their sophomore year, who have met high levels of performance. Students in the program will be involved in special seminars each semester and trips to financial and business centers. The program will also include honor scholarships given to program members and special ass istance in seeking admission to the country ' s best M.B.A. pro- grams. While the goals of A Search for Excellence are ambitious, they are, in the minds of the faculty and administration, obtainable. And in the words of A Search for Excellence, If we come close we will have one of the most outstanding programs in the country. by CLAY ROBERTSON Dr. Barry Richardson, Dean of Centenary ' s School of Business. Dr. Harold Christensen, Director of Economics Education Center.