1955

Mitzi Lowe Perry, Shreveport, LA, holds a Masters of Education degree from LSU. She is retired and is involved with Noel Methodist Church, Samaritan Counseling Center, Shreveport-Bossier Choral Ensemble, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and the Mental Health Association.

1958

Charles Wilder, Jackson, NJ, spent 6 Years in the USMC, 25 years as a pilot for TWA, 25+ years as a CPA and has been involved with the Orchestra By The Sea Chorus (Professional Chorus) for 5 years

1967

Laura Stevens Boyd, Shreveport, LA, is serving as chairman of the board of The Glen Retirement System.

1969

Jackie Nickell Lawrence, Atlanta, GA, is an Oncology Social Worker

1971

Jerry Humphries, Humble, TX, is a Shift Supervisor for FMC Technologies at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. He has been married to Mary Katherine Whalen, La. Tech '70, since of May 1970, and God has blessed them with three children, Karen, Jennifer, Keith and five grandchildren. He continues to work to support his duck hunting and other outdoor habits.

1972

Mark McMurry, Sulphur, LA, was elected Chairman of the Board of the Trustees of the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana

1973

Chris Middleton, Shreveport, LA, is a Land Manager for Exco Production Company, LP. After teaching math in Caddo Parish School System for 5 1/2 years, he changed careers to the petroleum industry in the fall of 1980. He has been in petroleum land for approximately 27 years. He is also an active member of Noel United Methodist Church in Shreveport, LA.

Wes Putnam, Bedford, TX, is the President of Wesley Putnam Ministries. He attended Centenary in 1970 and 1971 and was part of the choir and drama departments. In 1972 he married Felicia Mangum and transfered to Northeast in Monroe to complete his degree. He went on to Asbury Seminary and obtained his Masters of Divinity degree. He is a full-time musician and storyteller. He's been traveling for over 26 years after pastoring for 8 1/2 years. Songwriter, storyteller, recording artist, husband, father, grandfather. He says, "I love life."

Paula Sanders Sample, Shreveport, LA, retired from Caddo Parish Schools at the end of this school year, after spending the last 9 years as a counselor at Fair Park High School. She plans to spend her new free time painting, traveling with her husband, Bill, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

1974

Patti Melker Richards, Atlanta, GA, a tax lawyer and CPA with the Richards Law Firm, LLC, was installed as the Chair of the Atlanta Bar Tax Section in May and as the President-Elect of the American Association of Attorney-CPAs at their annual meeting in Amelia Island in June where she also spoke on Tax-Exempt Governance Issues and the Form 990. Ms. Richards recently completed a three year term on the IRS Advisory Counsel where she served as one of 20 tax professionals from around the country as advisor to the IRS Commissioner on tax policy and procedure.

1977

Mike Warner, Webster Groves, MO, is an Assistant General Counsel for Pfizer Inc.

1978

Jay Colvin, Shreveport, LA, is the owner of PDL Services, LLC, National Sales Mgr. - Secure Check.

Nancy King Lanzillotti, Bossier City, LA, has been a middle school librarian since January 2000. Before that, she taught Math, Science, and Language Arts. She has a degree in Elementary Education and an Elementary Education Masters both from Centenary and she received her library science certification through LSU-S.

1979

Mark Rowland, Roswell, NM, is currently involved with the American Legion, the Aircraft Owners' & Pilots' Association (AOPA), CROP Walk, Disable American Veterans, NOT World - Christian Fellowship, the Pecos Valley Amateur Radio Club (PVARC), Relay for Life & the Roswell UFO Festival

1980

Gordon Blackman, Shreveport, LA, is an attorney with Blackman Law Firm. He is Past President of the Providence House Board of Directors, Member of Past Presidents Advisory Board ofProvidence House, Past President of Louisiana Association for the Blind, Past President of Northwest Louisiana Goodwill Industries Board of Directors, Past President of Crimestoppers, and an Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Pete DeBuys, Smyrna, GA, is a Regional Leasing Manager. He is a member of St. Benedict's Episcopal Church Vinings/Smyrna, GA.

1981

Kathy Brodnax, Shreveport, LA, is the Collection Manager/Gallery Coordinator for the Meadows Museum at Centenary College

Robert Darrow, Shreveport, LA, executive director of the Shreveport Little Theatre, is the winner of the first annual G. Scott Griffin Award. The award recognizes one local artist who has overcome adversity to make a contribution to the community in the execution of his art. Darrow will receive a cash award of $1,000 at a reception held in his honor on Thursday, August 7 at 5 p.m. at the Robinson Film Center. All are invited to attend.

Will Downs, Shreveport, LA, is a District Exploration Manager for St. Mary Land & Exploration Company

1983

Bonnie Brown, Austin, TX, is a Consultant, Writer, and Professor.

Sarah Vasser Reeks, Shreveport, LA, is a classroom teacher for the Caddo Parish School Board

Phil Tocci, South Hamilton, MA, is head coach for the Hamilton Wenham Little League Minor League Tigers Team!!!! His son, Philip, has become an amazing player. The Tigers were in the Finals Saturday, June 21st. Young Philip is amazing with his baseball skills and is a great pitcher and his fielding is terrific... Log onto HWLL.org for news on the team.

1984

Lanny Clement, Baton Rouge, LA, is a Lab Technician at Lion Copolymer, LLC

Chris Murphy, Dallas, TX, works in Business Development for Lockheed Martin.

1988

Robert Besser, Beaumont, TX, is a pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church.

1989

David McAlilly, Madison, MS, has recently become involved with the Choir Affinity Chapter

Brad Nelson, Katy, TX, is the VP of Internal Audit/Compliance for Live Nation

Scott Pollock, Dallas, TX, is a builder/broker for Pollock Custom Homes/Caltex Funding Corp.

1991

Mark Carleton, Rome, GA, received his B.A. from Centenary in 1991, his M.A. from LSU in 1993, and his Ed.D. from University of Tennessee in 2000.

Allyson Adair George, Garland, TX, is a Children's Ministry Director at First United Methodist in Richardson, TX. She holds a Masters of Religious education from Perkins School of Theology.

Stacy Pever, Houston, TX, recently relocated to the Middle East with her husband, Robert, who is an engineer.

1992

Scott Durbin, New Orleans, LA, reports that his Disney Channel TV show, Imagination Movers, will premiere in September.

1994

Jennifer Vincent Grant, Garland, TX, is the VP of Finance at Vincent Enterprises, Inc.

Dean Norwood, Dallas, TX, says "Greetings from Dallas, Texas and a warm hello to the beloved alumni family of Centenary. Also, a special shout out to the Epsilon chapter of Kappa Sigma. Have a funny update for you all on one Dean Norwood, class of 1994. Over the last two summers I have picked up (some say mastered) a fishing technique known as "noodling". Cat-fisting, hogging, dogging, and whisker-bisquitting are other terms associated with the practice, which entails capturing catfish with your bare hands. A noodler will dive 2 to 20 feet, locate a hole in a bank or a stump, and reach in with their fist in an attempt to find a burrowing flathead catfish. Flatheads domicile in these holes, and when approached by anything - whether it be a predator, prey, or a human hand - they attack. The fish will latch on to a fist for several minutes, giving the noodler ample time to resurface and land the catch. Every summer over the July 4th holiday there is an event at Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall, Tx called the Whisker Bisquit Bonanza. It's a contest for noodlers to see who can land the biggest (heaviest) catfish. From my years of fishing Ray Hubbard I knew of a secluded creek channel teeming with catfish that few others were privy to. With my snorkeling mask, Centenary swim cap, swim fins and bare hands, off I was...I dove about 6 feet deep on the east side of the channel and found a deep hole on the bank. Visibility was awful in the creek so as often is the case with noodling, I just had to blindly stick my fist in and hope for the best. Usually one feels a jolt on the fist and then heavy pressure from the gums of the catfish. However, on this occasion, I felt something different. I plunged my fist in and touched what felt something like a wet mop. Instinctively I clutched whatever it was and expelled it from the hole, then finned my way back to the surface. Much to my surprise, I had just barehanded an angry, hissing muskrat. By angry, I mean out of control - it was gnawing, clawing and doing everything it could to bite me. When the driver of the boat (Centenary alum Kirt Villyard) saw that I had a gyrating muskrat in my hands he let out a blood-curdling scream and nearly fell out of the boat. In a state of panic, I flung it to the shore and watched it run 25 yards down the bank before diving back into the creek. I had never even seen a muskrat, much less catch one with my bare hand. I noodled for three more hours with little luck and didn¿t even place in the contest, but I was the only one that caught a rodent...

1995

Kathy Brashears, Gunter, TX, was involved with the US Peace Corps from 2003-05, working in the Philippines and is now working for the McKinney ISD.

Courtney McLaughlin, Edmond, OK, works for Sunwest Management working as the Regional Director for Oklahoma (overseeing the management and operations for high-end retirement and assisted living communities). Several of his properties offer memory care units - Alzheimers and dementia care is a great passion of his.

1996

Tim Chastain, Plano, TX, has been named a partner in Carrington, Coleman, Sloman and Blumenthal, LLL. His practice areas are Business Litigation and Securities Litigation. In 2007 he was recognized as a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars.

Chris Norris, Dallas, TX, is an attorney with Carrington, Coleman, Sloman, and Blumenthal

1997

Mark Arcemont, Irving, TX, and Trey celebrated the blessing of their holy union at Grace Cathedral (Episcopal) in San Francisco on June 12, 2008.

Joel Jowers, FPO, AP, just began his third tour in Iraq as the Assistant Operations Officer for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, based in Kane'ohe Bay, Hawaii. He will be flying assault support missions in support of the Marine Corps and the Joint & Combined Forces in Al-Anbar Province. Also, on July 1, 2008, he was promoted to the rank of Major.

1999

George Fine, Alexandria, LA, is an attorney with Provosty, Sadler, DeLaunay, Fiorenza, & Sobel.

Amber Tompkins Hogan, Little Rock, AR, recently moved to White Hall, AR with her husband, Robert and began working for Jefferson Regional Medical Center as a Quality Analyst. She plans to continue with her home-based bookkeeping company as well.

Jennifer Phifer Strange, Shreveport, LA, is an English Lecturer and CLC Continuing Ed Coordinator at Centenary College of Louisiana.

Liz Roberts Summers, Cedar Park, TX, is a teacher. In the summer of 2007, she participated in her first 2 triathlons. WOW- what an awesome experience.

2000

Chris Susilovich, Houston, TX, works with the Houston Safari Club as VP of Martketing and Convention Affairs.

2001

Nola Sieber Ernest, Birmingham, AL, earned her Ph.D. in Neurobiology in 2007 at University of Alabama at Birmingham. M.D. anticipated May 2009 from University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Ashley Knecht Leach, Baton Rouge, LA, competed in one of the most infamous and extreme sporting events - the Accenture Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco with her husband, Darron Leach. Both represented Louisiana well in this international event.

Beth Tener, West Palm Beach, FL, relocated to Orlando in June 2008 and is still practicing family law. She and fiancee', Ben, were engaged in August 2007 and their wedding is December 13, 2008 in Amelia Island, Florida.

2002

Angelique Lasseigne, Arvada, CO, is a Metallurgical Engineer working at the National Institute of Standards and Technology

2003

Jonathan Hammett, Berkeley, CA, is beginning seminary at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, this fall. He is a clergy candidate with the Metropolitan Community Churches, a denomination with a primary outreach to the LGBT Christian community. He has also accepted a position as Coordinator of Family Ministries at Walnut Creek United Methodist Church in Walnut Creek, CA, which is a member congregation of the Reconciling Ministries Network.

Amanda Holloway, Tyler, TX, is the director of Christian Women's Job Corps of Tyler, Inc.

Amanda Storer, Tyler, TX, took a year off after graduating from Centenary and went to work for Disney World. This of course had nothing to do with her degree but was a blast and she absolutely LOVED it!! She then went to school to be licensed as a Physical Therapist Assistant and is working at Ellis Rehab Just for Kids in Tyler, Texas and is enjoying every minute of it!! She is also a Child Advocate for Compassion International and is affiliated with 4-H.I.M., an organization supporting several third-world countries such as Sierra Leone, Africa and the Wellington Orphanage.

2004

Justin Breitschopf, Washington, DC, is a Consultant of Public Services and Asset Management Solutions with Bearing Point Management & Technology Consultants. He is currently working with the Air Force in the Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) implementing the recommendations from the BRAC Commission for Bolling Air Force Base. He is located at Andrews Air Force Base.

Jennifer Hawkins Laurent, Beale AFB, CA, is a data program assistant for the Child Abuse Prevention Council.

2007

Nic Clark, Collinsville, IL, is a Park Guide at Pea Ridge National Military Park

Nicole Deese, Clemson, SC, started at Portland State University to pursue further education, but has transferred for the upcoming school year. She is currently attending Clemson University for her PhD in Industrial/Organizaitonal Psychology.

Julie Porche, Luling, LA, is currently working toward her doctorate degree in physical therapy at the University of South Alabama. She will graduate May of 2010.

Julia Reynolds, Houston, TX, is a second year graduate student at Baylor College of Medicine.

Jeremy Tan, Londonderry, NH, is the Assistant General Manager for The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille

Lora Morvant '95, Carrollton, TX, married Matthew Morvant on June 21st in Dallas, TX.

Liz Roberts Summers '99, Cedar Park, TX, welcomed son, Jackson Lake Summers, on April 18, 2008. She says, "He is awesome!"

Rebecca Brown Shipp, Bossier City, LA, and her husband, Chad Shipp, welcome the arrival of their baby girl, Caroline Kristi born May 2, 2008. Big brother Cole is 3 1/2 years old.

Kerry Bujarski Bleil '99, Haughton, LA, and husband, John, welcome second daughter, Anna Kathryn, on May 14, 2008.

Deaths

6/23/2008

6/26/2008

7/7/2008