Centenary celebrates Homecoming October 23 through 27
SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary’s 2024 Homecoming celebration begins Wednesday, October 23, and continues through the weekend, highlighting alumni achievements, cultural activities, student organizations, and athletics at the College. The classes of 2014 and 2019 are holding ten and five year reunions, respectively, during this year’s Homecoming weekend.
“We are thrilled to welcome alumni and friends back to campus for Homecoming 2024,” said Katie Chopin ’16, director of alumni and family relations. “This year’s celebration will be particularly special, as it marks the first Homecoming football game in 77 years.”
Homecoming 2024 opens on Wednesday, October 23, with Maroon Madness. The event begins at 8:00 p.m. and is the official showcase for the Centenary Ladies and Gents Basketball teams, featuring fun contests and giveaways. It is free and open to the public.
The 2024 Alumni Awards Dinner will be held on Thursday, October 24, at 6:00 p.m. in the Whited Room in Bynum Commons. The Alumni Awards Dinner honors alumni who have brought distinction to the College, and this year’s awards include:
- Alumni Hall of Fame – Davor Poljak ’95, partner at Poljak Wealth Management in Shreveport
- Alumni Loyalty Award – Lynette Viskozki ’85, director of financial aid at Centenary; has worked in the Financial Aid Office since graduating from the College in 1985
- Young Alumni Leadership Award – Aaron Bronson ’09, vice president of operations for Visit Shreveport-Bossier
- Honorary Alumnus – Tem McElroy, president of McElroy Metal
- Bentley Sloane/CLC Award – The Tichenor Family
Individual tickets for the dinner are $30 and reserved tables seating eight are available for $200. For more information, contact Katie Chopin at kachopin@centenary.edu.
Recognition for Centenary alumni continues on Friday, October 25, at 4:00 p.m. in the Whited Room, with the third annual Forward 5 Awards reception honoring young alumni for having made a significant impact in business, research, leadership, public service, and/or philanthropic endeavors. The 2024 Forward 5 recipients include:
- Dr. Stephen Deas ’05 – Lieutenant Colonel in the Arkansas Air National Guard and physician at the VA hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas
- Dr. Ashlie Junot Hilbun ’06 – Senior Vice President and Strategy Officer at Arkansas Children’s Hospital
- Cadie Hancock ’15 – Associate Account Executive for Disney Advertising, southwest region
- Joanna Warren Richter ’16 – Deputy Director of Education Policy at Educate Texas
- Donovan Stone ’17 – clerk for United States Supreme Court justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
The awards reception is free to attend.
Additional Homecoming events on Friday include a 50th reunion celebration for Centenary’s Church Careers/Christian Leadership Center program, men’s and women’s soccer games, and a special event, “Toasting the Sciences: A Night Out with Sommelier Pamela Brown.” This exclusive, ticketed wine pairing and four-course dinner benefits the renovation campaign for Centenary’s Mickle Hall, home of the College’s science programs. Tickets are $50 and are available at centenary.edu/homecoming. The event also includes a tour of Mickle Hall and a silent auction.
Saturday, October 26, is a full day on campus, beginning with the 50th Reunion Brunch for 50+ year graduates and continuing with softball and baseball alumni games, class reunions, Greek Life open houses, and tailgating prior to the 6:00 p.m. Homecoming football game against the Austin College ‘Roos. The 2024 Homecoming Court royalty will be announced and Homecoming awards will be presented to student organizations at halftime of the football game.
Homecoming Week concludes on Sunday, October 27, with a men’s basketball alumni game at 12:00 p.m. at the Gold Dome.
For more information about Homecoming activities, visit centenary.edu/homecoming.