Mickle Hall Renovations Bring New Opportunities to Centenary
Centenary College began renovations on Mickle Hall as part of a long-term effort to update the college’s science facilities and create better learning spaces for students and faculty. Plans to improve the science facilities have been discussed for years, with earlier plans dating back to 2008. After considering the possibility of building a new science building, the college decided to renovate Mickle Hall while keeping the building’s original structure and character. “The need for upgraded science facilities has never gone away,” said President Christopher Holoman.
Construction of the new wheelchair accessible ramp outside of Mickle on Aug. 10, 2026. Completion is expected in late August, but this is the first in a long series of Mickle renovations. (Centenary Marketing)
The renovations will take place in phases, with the first phase focusing on the infrastructure needed to support the rest of the building. The work includes a new roof, elevator, electrical upgrades, utilities and fire alarm systems. The basement and fourth floor are also being renovated. The fourth floor, which has not been fully used in recent years, will include offices, study areas and spaces for collaboration. The renovations will also improve accessibility throughout the building. A new entrance with accessibility ramps and a new elevator is part of the early construction.
Much of the first phase involves work that students may not immediately notice. Chris Sampite, Director of Facilities, said updating the infrastructure first will allow future renovations to be completed floor by floor without having to redo the systems that support the building. Sampite acknowledged this, saying “the biggest thing about it that people would not really see is what has happened in the very first phase of this, is the utilities, the infrastructure.”
Future phases will focus on rebuilding the main floors of Mickle Hall, including updated classrooms and laboratories. Some of the current laboratory equipment and workspaces have become outdated over time. The renovated classrooms and laboratories will provide more flexible spaces for hands-on learning and collaboration. Holoman states that the updated building will give students a more modern learning environment while continuing Centenary’s focus on science education.
The renovation will also bring Biology, Kinesiology and Psychology together in Mickle Hall. Scott Chirhart said bringing the programs together could create more opportunities for students and faculty to work across different areas of science and health. “Healthcare and science have become increasingly interdisciplinary,” stated Chirhart, “Bringing these programs together creates opportunities for collaboration that will benefit both students and faculty for years to come.”
The updated building could also create opportunities for Centenary to expand connections with health care and science organizations in the Shreveport area. Fred Landry, Vice President for Development, said the renovated facility could provide a foundation for the college to continue building relationships with organizations such as LSU Health Shreveport and Willis-Knighton. “We think that the improvements at Mickle will give us a platform and be able to do that,” Landry said.
Although the inside of Mickle Hall will change significantly, the college plans to preserve parts of the original building. Mickle Hall was built in 1947 and has remained an important part of Centenary’s campus. The building’s strong structural foundation will remain, along with parts of its architectural character. Most of the renovations will focus on the interior of the building.
The renovation process has required facilities staff and construction teams to work around existing systems while keeping parts of the building operational. Heating and cooling systems, fire alarms and piping that serve areas that have not yet been renovated must remain in place during construction. The process is expected to continue as the college works through each phase of the project.
The project is expected to create spaces that better prepare students for graduate school, research and careers in science and health care. The updated facilities could also support student recruitment and retention by giving students a modern environment to study and conduct research. For Chirhart, the purpose of the renovation goes beyond the physical building. The goal is to create a space where students and faculty can learn, work and collaborate for years to come.
“Buildings are important, but what truly makes them meaningful are the students, faculty, experiences, and opportunities they support,” Chirhart said.
The first phase is expected to include the basement and fourth floor, along with the new elevator and roof. Future phases will continue renovations throughout the remaining floors of Mickle Hall. While the full project will take time, the college plans to continue transforming the building into a modern science facility while preserving its place in Centenary’s history.