The Impact of Giving
Centenary student Alyssa Davis (pictured above receiving her diploma at the Class of 2022 Commencement) spoke at this year’s Legacy Reception about the impact of her Centenary scholarship assistance.
My name is Alyssa Davis. I am a senior here at Centenary College. Throughout these last four years at Centenary, I have had many great opportunities and experiences. I have been able to work for multiple departments across campus, including Integrated Advising, Student Involvement, our Fitness Center, and the Admission Office. I have also been able to gain experience working outside of campus through our business department and our community course credit. I was able to work at a law firm and I got the opportunity to run the marketing department for Dress for Success, a nonprofit in Shreveport-Bossier City.
I love Centenary so much, I decided I am not ready to leave just yet! I have been blessed with the opportunity to start my Masters in Business Administration throughout my senior year of undergrad, so I will be finishing that in my fifth year while also playing one more year of volleyball.
I work a lot with recruits and potential new students in my jobs on campus and through volleyball. One of my favorite questions to answer is, “Why did you choose to come to Centenary?” My answer has always been: the people that make Centenary, Centenary. From faculty, to staff, to the donors, Centenary across the board cares about students’ success and I was able to tell this just from my campus visit so long ago. The community we have is like no other. I also answer the Centenary in Paris trip because who doesn’t want to jump at the opportunity to go to France?
Speaking of Paris, I have now been to Paris twice with Centenary, first with my freshman class and a second time this last year as a student worker. Both of these trips provided me with life-long memories that I would have never had if I did not come to Centenary. I tell everyone that one of my favorite memories so far at Centenary was my freshman year when we had the boat party on the last night in France. There’s no bonding experience with your new classmates quite like having a dance party, on the top floor of a boat, while riding up and down the river in Paris, and getting to see the city slowly light up as it gets later in the night. That’s one experience, that if time travel was real, I’d relive over and over. I made some of my best friends that week who are still my best friends to this day.
Being able to continue my athletic career into college has also provided so many great memories. From seeing some of my best friends from two different sports win a conference championship and get a ring, to traveling around Louisiana and Texas with my friends to support our fellow athletes, and being blessed with a few awards myself throughout my volleyball career, I am very thankful to be a Centenary athlete.
None of these experiences or opportunities would have happened if I had not come to Centenary. And I would not have been able to come to Centenary, if it were not for all of you. As the youngest of four, my goal when deciding on a college was to make it as easy on my parents as possible. Thanks to all of you here, Centenary was able to make this happen for me and my family. I am forever grateful for all of your generosity because without you I would have never had a dance party on a boat in Paris, I would have probably never tried king cake or learned how to eat crawfish, and I would not have met all the amazing people I have in these past four years. So for myself, and for every student that you have made this college experience possible, I say thank you!
Learn more about how you can support Centenary and Pay It Forward at centenarymagazine.com/give.