History
Centenary College of Louisiana is the oldest chartered liberal arts college in the United States west of the Mississippi River. The lineage of the college dates back to 1825, when the College of Louisiana was opened in Jackson, Louisiana. The school enjoyed early success, but struggled financially until Centenary College of Clinton, Mississippi (founded 1837) agreed to merge with the Jackson campus, creating Centenary College of Louisiana in 1845. The college prospered during that time, which included enrollment of later Senator and Confederate President Jefferson Davis for two years. At the outbreak of the American Civil War, the college issued the following proclamation: "Students off to war, and may God bless the right!" During this time, the Jackson campus was used as a Confederate hospital, and was sacked upon arrival of Union troops in 1864.
Never regaining the footing it had in the 1840s and 1850s, the college moved to Shreveport in 1908 and immediately enjoyed success. President George Sexton outlined campus growth and prosperity in the 1920s and 1930s, including the architectural design that largely remains today. During that time, Centenary was a football powerhouse, whose fame included wins over Louisiana State University, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Notre Dame. Today, Centenary's football reputation is simply nonexistent. Despite student requests Centenary has not supported a football team since the 1950s.
The academic reputation of Centenary has remained strong since the 1920s. Centenary is now regularly found at the top of its category in the annual college and university rankings published by U.S. News and World Report magazine.
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