Centenary College announces community leader Mack McCarter as 2022 commencement speaker
SHREVEPORT, LA — Mack McCarter, founder and coordinator of Community Renewal International, will deliver the commencement address to Centenary College’s Class of 2022. McCarter will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the College during the commencement exercises in the Gold Dome on Saturday, May 7.
McCarter founded Community Renewal International (CRI) in Shreveport in 1994, with a mission to reconstruct both the foundation and the actual infrastructure of society through developing a system of loving relationships. Based on his training and experience as an ordained minister in the Disciples of Christ denomination, McCarter’s vision for CRI invites community members to, “partner together with God and one another to make our world a home where every single child, no matter their age, can be safe and loved.” Since its founding, CRI’s work has expanded to all 50 states and 41 countries through “We Care” teams who are working to institute the organization’s model of connecting caring people to change individual lives and transform communities.
“Centenary is honored to be able to recognize Rev. Mack McCarter, truly a man of vision,” said Centenary president Dr. Christopher L. Holoman. “Through his tireless work, Community Renewal International is rebuilding not just Shreveport, but communities around the world. He is showing how individuals can be lifted up and society changed starting at the grassroots level. I am inspired by his passion and dedication to make the world better.”
McCarter has received many awards as CRI’s representative, including Social Entrepreneur of the Year from The Manhattan Institute, Louisiana Public Citizen of the Year from the National Association of Social Workers, Distinguished Alumnus of the Year from Texas Christian University, Distinguished Minister of the Year from Brite Divinity School, National Citizen of the Year from the National Conference on Citizenship, and Doctor of Letters Degree (Honorary) conferred by Nyack College/Alliance Theological Seminary. McCarter also received the 2019-2020 Lumen Christi Award from the Catholic Extension.
McCarter earned a bachelor of arts degree in religion from Texas Christian University, and a master of divinity degree from Brite Divinity School.
The 2022 commencement exercises at Centenary begin at 10:30 a.m. and are free and open to the public. More information, including live streaming links that will be available on the day of the ceremony, is available at centenary.edu/graduation.