Centenary announces commencement plans for May 2021
SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary will celebrate commencement for both the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at the College’s Gold Dome. The Class of 2021 will be recognized at a morning ceremony and the College will welcome back members of the Class of 2020 for an afternoon commencement. Commencement in May 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As we conclude this extraordinary year, we are pleased to be able to have an in-person commencement with guests while abiding by safety guidelines,” said Dr. Christopher L. Holoman, president of Centenary College. “We are also excited to have the Class of 2020 back to campus for a ceremony we were unable to have last spring. We are very proud of the accomplishments of both these classes, especially in light of all the disruptions caused by the pandemic.”
Dr. Melva Williams, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management at Southern University at Shreveport, will deliver the commencement address for both ceremonies. Williams is a member of Centenary's Board of Trustees and served as associate dean of the College at Centenary from 2011 to 2013. In addition to a long career in higher education, Williams is an active community leader and was the 2017 recipient of the Athena Award for Women in Business sponsored by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.
Leroy Harvey, a founding member of the Friends of Centenary College and champion of his home community of Jackson, Louisiana, site of the original Centenary College campus, will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree during the morning commencement ceremony. Harvey is CEO of Harvey Enterprises, with a background in timber and real estate entrepreneurial ventures and multiple renovation and restoration projects in his beloved community of Jackson, Louisiana. His civic and community involvement includes co-producing “Song of Felicianas,” an original score production performed on the historic site of Centenary College of Louisiana in Jackson, Louisiana.
Members of the Class of 2021 and Class of 2020 will receive specific details about safety precautions in place during the commencement ceremonies as well as accommodations for a limited number of guests per graduate. Both ceremonies will be live streamed, and more information will be continually updated at centenary.edu/graduation.