Centenary College welcomes new chaplain
Centenary College is proud to announce a new chaplain and director of the Christian Leadership Center (CLC), Rev. Maddie Russo. Rev. Russo is a Shreveport-Bossier native. She attended St. Mark’s Cathedral School and Loyola College Preparatory. She went to Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After discerning a strong call to ministry/chaplaincy, she went on to Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia to complete her Master of Divinity degree. She graduated in 2020, and Rev. Russo became a Global Mission Fellow with The United Methodist Church’s General Board of Global Ministries, a two-year young adult mission program.
In 2023, Rev. Russo was commissioned as a Provisional Deacon in the Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church, and she continues to be strongly connected to Asbury United Methodist Church in Bossier City, where she also is a pastoral presence and engages in young adult ministry.
“I am overjoyed to join Centenary College of Louisiana as Chaplain and Director of the Christian Leadership Center,” said Rev. Russo. “Since first feeling called to ministry, I have dreamed of a role like this—one where I can walk alongside students, faculty, staff, and the broader Centenary community in faith, support, service, and leadership. This is a special place, full of character and incredible people, and I am eager to nurture and build upon the legacy of Rev. Lindy’s ministry and all those who came before her. What a privilege, honor, and blessing it is to serve in this capacity—I cannot wait to get to work!”
Rev. Russo joined the college following the retirement of Rev. Lindy Broderick, last year. Broderick had served as chaplain and director of the CLC since August 2017. During her tenure, she reinstituted weekly chapel services which are often student-led.
The CLC evolved from the College's Church Careers program, established in 1974. Originally conceived primarily as a curriculum for students called to careers within the church, the program has grown to embrace all students wishing to integrate their professional discernment with their faith.
The current cohort of the CLC is not only the largest in more than 5 years, it is also the most ethnically, racially, and denominationally diverse cohort in the history of the program.
Click here to find out more about the CLC program or email christianleadership@centenary.edu.