Centenary signs partnership with Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University
SHREVEPORT, LA — Representatives from Centenary College and Southern Methodist University (SMU)’s Perkins School of Theology met earlier today in Shreveport to sign an agreement establishing a preferred pathway for Centenary graduates interested in pursuing ministerial vocations at the graduate level. Centenary and SMU share a common heritage within the United Methodist Church.
“Centenary College and the Perkins School of Theology are two of the oldest United Methodist institutions of higher learning in our region and share a long legacy of preparing clergy and laity for service across Louisiana, Texas, and the entire nation,” said Centenary president Dr. Christopher L. Holoman. “We are honored and excited to deepen this relationship in a way that will help Centenary students further their education at Perkins and allow students from both schools to take advantage of each other’s resources and learn and grow together.”
Holoman was joined at the signing ceremony at Centenary’s Meadows Museum of Art by Dr. Craig Hill, Dean of the Perkins School of Theology, and Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church.
“This partnership is also really important for me, because when you look at the people who come from Centenary into ministry, both lay and clergy, it really does read like a ‘who’s who’ for United Methodists, particularly in Louisiana,” said Bishop Harvey at the ceremony. “I think that this match might be one of those ‘made in heaven,’ because it continues a legacy that is so important to our life and work here, and I think to the future of the United Methodist Church and certainly to the future of God’s people everywhere in the mission field.”
The new agreement provides preferred consideration and early decision for admission to Centenary graduates who have completed all the prerequisites for admission to SMU and gives qualified students early consideration for scholarships and other financial aid at the Perkins School. The agreement also includes provisions for annual visits by Perkins admission staff to Centenary and reciprocal visits by interested Centenary students to SMU. Centenary and Perkins hope that the initial partnership will expand to include new collaborative academic and enrichment opportunities for faculty and students at both institutions.
“For Centenary, this partnership is indicative of our effort to provide our students with clear pathways to further their education after completion of their Centenary degree,” said Holoman. “We are looking forward to announcing other relationships in several fields in the months to come.”