• Centenary College completed its most successful fundraising year since 2009 by finishing its fiscal year June 30 with $10 million in total giving, including a generous $7 million endowment gift from the Stoer Foundation funded by the estate of Newton B. Stoer. Centenary received one-third of the Stoer estate gift, with two other substantial gifts going to support Shreveport’s First Presbyterian Church and the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. Funds from the Stoer gift will be directed toward supporting a new generation of Centenary students. The impressive $10 million year includes more than $3 million raised through the annual giving campaign, with the majority of gifts directly supporting scholarships for Centenary students. During the 2014-15 academic year, the College awarded nearly $9.5 million in institutional aid, benefitting 98 percent of its undergraduate students.

• Amanda Smith has been Vivian Healthcare Center’s social services director since December 2014. This month, Smith has also taken over the marketing/admissions for the facility. For information about Vivian Healthcare Center, the admission process and availability call Smith at 375-2203.

• U.L. Coleman Companies congratulated Chris Mahone, the newest Louisiana State University – Shreveport Coleman scholarship recipient. Mahone was honored earlier this month at U.L. Coleman Companies’ central office where employees and mentors of Mahone spoke of his accomplishments and celebrated his successful business education, including real estate investments at a young age. Mahone is pursuing a degree in finance with a minor in economics and plans to graduate in the May of 2016. In addition to his studies, Mahone is working as an intern with a local, State Farm agent and has obtained his property and casualty insurance license and bank certification.

• Monique Roux has been appointed to the Louisiana Volunteer Commission by Governor Bobby Jindal. Roux is one of six new commissioners across the state who were recently selected to serve a three-year term. The commission is comprised of leaders who share an interest in volunteering and national service. Their purpose is to encourage community service and promote citizen involvement. As a member of the Louisiana Volunteer Commission, Roux will be responsible for recommending innovative statewide service programs, providing public recognition and support of service efforts, promoting private and public partnerships, expanding quality service programs, and will serve as a liaison to national and state organizations, as well as assist in the preparation of AmeriCorps and operational grant applications. Roux serves as the director of business development and military relations liaison at the Bossier Chamber of Commerce.

• Southern University at Shreveport has enrolled a record headcount of 3,174 students for the fall 2015 semester. This follows a previous record fall 2013 semester enrollment of 3,018 students. The University has seen a significant increase in students interested in furthering their educational goals at SUSLA. Applications to associate degree and technical diploma programs at SUSLA have increased by 28 percent since fall 2014. SUSLA has also seen an exponential increase in the number of students enrolled in the university’s dual enrollment program. The program is designed to allow students to attend SUSLA and receive credits for college while in high school.