Community service at Centenary College looks different for every student. Some spend their time tutoring adults, while others raise money for veterans, support breast cancer research or volunteer with local families. Although these efforts look different, students across campus share a common goal: making a difference in the Shreveport community. Through organizations, athletics and individual volunteer work, Centenary students find ways to give back throughout the year, often without seeking recognition for their efforts.
For the Literacy Volunteers at Centenary College, students can make a difference through education. Kamryn Smith volunteers with the organization, which provides educational support to people working to improve their reading, writing, math and science skills. Tutors work with students at different levels, including adults preparing for a high school equivalency test or those who want to strengthen skills they struggle with in everyday life. Smith meets with her student twice a week, spending about an hour working through lessons and practice problems. Smith said she began noticing a difference when her student started asking more questions and understanding concepts that had previously been difficult.
“He didn’t have the ability. He just wasn’t given the right tools,” Smith said.
The organization served 207 students during the last fiscal year, and Centenary students can volunteer around their class schedules.
Other campus organizations focus on supporting people through fundraising and outreach.
Zeta Tau Alpha's philanthropy centers on breast cancer education, awareness and research. Through its Think Pink events, the chapter raises money and spreads awareness about breast cancer and the support available to patients and survivors. Bryn Joiner, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, said the chapter has raised more than $10,000 for its philanthropy over the past two years. The chapter also distributes pink ribbons to encourage conversations about breast cancer.
Joiner said raising awareness matters just as much as raising money because small gestures can remind people that support is available. Even something as simple as handing someone a ribbon can encourage them to think about breast cancer and the people affected by it. For Joiner, philanthropy is also an opportunity to support other women and remind them that they are not alone.
Kappa Sigma takes a different approach by supporting veterans and their families. The fraternity contributes to veterans' charities through fundraising events throughout the year, including car washes, karaoke nights and Splash of Sig, an event where participants get soaked with water. Evan Halbert, a member of Kappa Sigma, said the fraternity's service is not limited to its largest events. Smaller fundraisers help the chapter stay involved throughout the year, and members regularly work together to support local causes.
Halbert said approximately 80% of the chapter participates in community service events, depending on the time of year and members' schedules. One event that made a lasting impact was a fundraiser for the Navy SEAL Legacy Foundation. Halbert said the event raised enough money to help a veteran experiencing mental health struggles access needed resources. For him, that result mattered more than the total amount raised.
“If we raise five dollars and that five dollars goes to save a veteran's life by getting access to mental health, then we did our job,” Halbert said.
The Centenary football team also makes community service part of its identity. Gideon Bowman, a football team member and president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, said players participate in activities ranging from reading with elementary school students to distributing food, water, clothing and Christmas gifts to local families. The team organizes several larger service events each year, but smaller groups of players also volunteer on weekends. Bowman said the team does less organized service during the football season because of practices, games and travel, with more opportunities available during the offseason.
One of his favorite experiences is the team's holiday outreach, when families arrive to receive food and water while children choose toys for Christmas. Bowman said seeing the children's excitement makes the work worthwhile. Volunteering has also helped him see Shreveport as more than the place where he attends college. Through service, he has gotten to know the community that supports Centenary.
Herman Pride, president of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), said his organization aims to expand its community service efforts this academic year. NRHH has traditionally completed at least one service project each semester, including food drives and thank-you cards for cafeteria staff. Pride hopes to increase that number to two projects per semester. Planned activities include writing appreciation cards for campus employees and sending holiday cards to people who may be spending the holidays in hospitals or without family.
Beyond service, NRHH also recognizes students and campus community members through its “Of the Month” awards, highlighting contributions that might otherwise go unnoticed. Pride said the organization has also encouraged members to complete individual service hours, giving them opportunities to take initiative outside group projects.
From tutoring and fundraising to holiday outreach and campus appreciation, Centenary students contribute to the community in different ways. Some efforts involve large events, while others happen through regular meetings, small fundraisers or individual acts of kindness. Many of these organizations also choose not to publicize every service activity, focusing instead on the people they help. Together, their work shows that community service does not have to look the same for everyone. Whether students give their time, raise money or help someone learn a new skill, their efforts extend beyond campus and into the lives of people throughout Shreveport.